Rural governance and rural cooperatives in Iran

Since the establishment of rural cooperatives in the country more than half a century passes.Thus the study of evolution, the relationship between government and cooperatives and their role and importance in rural community development seem more essential. This paper reviews the role of rural cooperatives from rural governance view in Iran. For this purpose, a definition of democracy in rural cooperatives in Iran has been provided. Then, the relationship between government and Rural cooperatives has been investigated, referring to rural governance view from three dimensions of coordination, trust and control.The research method is documentary - analytical and using first hand and library resources, we tried to study the rural governance and cooperatives. The findings of this research show that in rural cooperatives, democracy has not been implemented and it has not been viewed as an effective way for development. Cooperatives can be engaged in the two sides of rule-based policies and policies for changing rules. Because of lack of clarity to cooperatives from government and villagers, no trust has been made been them. In general, before and after revolution, the government has not used the capacities of rural cooperatives and neglected their role in rural governance, while rural cooperatives are effective way for rural development in Iran.