The Criteria of Political Efficiency Relying on the Ideology of Wilayat-e Faqih (Guardianship of the Islamic Jurist)

The purpose of the present study is to review and explain the criteria of political efficiency in the system of Wilayat-e faqih (guardianship of the Islamic jurist). The method of study was descriptive analysis; and considering the conceptual framework as well as the theory of doing responsibility as an index for the assessment of the governments, it was revealed that although the indices of political efficiency in different systems including religious and non-religious ones are evaluated by some fixed common categories, they are logically assessed differently due to their different features and based on the priority of criteria derived from Islamic references and religious ideology. The conspicuous feature of these criteria is adherence to religious principles and values so that the system of Wilat-e Faqih can achieve efficiency according to its purposes for the affairs both in this world and the other world based on commitment and capabilities. Therefore, the religious and committed government should manage both economic and spiritual affairs of people. Furthermore, efficiency based on belief in God and righteousness exists in the ideology of Wilayt-e Faqih. According to the principle of righteousness and justice, the middle objectives of an Islamic government consist providing material welfare, dignity, and freedom for people; and the ultimate objectives of an Islamic government consist bringing final guidance and prosperity for them. Thus, according to the epistemological and ideological tenets of Islam, neither belief in the other world and divinity is in contrast with development and the realization of the indices of efficiency in this world, nor development hinders spiritual prosperity in the other world. As a result, appropriate management of the affairs in this world can be compatible with the objectives in the other world and is not opposed to the efficiency of the political system.