sayyed zakarya mahmoodiraja

The present study aims to examine and analyze the reasons for the failure of political party activities in Iran during the years 1368 to 1392, with a focus on the political culture of elites and the interaction of structure/agency. In the model of democratic governance, political parties emerged from the acceptance of public elections and are regarded as the progeny of democracy, facilitating peaceful power transitions, elite rotation, and organized political participation of citizens. Therefore, they play a significant role in the political development of states. The emphasis of governance structures and the constitution on legal political participation and competition, alongside the instability and institutionalization of party activities, presents a multidimensional challenge that can seriously disrupt the rules of political games and, consequently, political stability, national security, and the nature of governance. Thus, it is essential to critically review and examine the complex and intertwined issues surrounding why the function of political parties in the Islamic Republic of Iran faced failure from 1368 to 1392. The research findings, using a descriptive-analytical method and utilizing library-documentary resources along with Giddens' structuration theory framework, indicate that various factors contribute to the failure of party mechanisms in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The political culture of elites, however, has proven to be a more influential factor. Political elites in Iran, unaware of the party's functions and the specific social context, influenced by temporary conditions and the pursuit of political power, established party organizations. Therefore, political parties not only lost their primary functions within the socio-political structure of society but also led to a lack of institutional trust at the level of political competition.

Following the victory of the Islamic Revolution of Iran and establishment of new government within the framework of political Islam in the region, in order to continue and reinforce this government model, the Islamic -Iranian Model of Progress was put in the blueprint with regard to the indigenous standards as the most important pre-occupation. After the third decade of the Revolution which has been termed as the Decade of Progress and Justice, this component has become more essential. Using the descriptive-analytic method and library-documental studies, this paper tries to respond to the following questions: ‘What are the standards and pillars of the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress?’ and ‘What is the role of moderation in the cultural policy in developing and shaping the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress?’ The findings of the research show that there have been two approaches in the domain of culture by the officials of cultural affairs at macro level in recent years. While the one approach believes in hard treatment, authoritarianism, and controlling in the area of culture, the other one oppositely maintains in cultural freedom. The feedback and performance of the related officials in the domain of culture has had extremes which has made the cultural moderation as a missing circle. Thus, taking stand based on moderation as a religious-rational attitude in cultural, economic, political policy can be effective in a further fulfillment of the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress. </em>