نشریه سیاست پژوهی ایرانی
سال هشتم شماره 1 (پیاپی 27، بهار 1400)

The purpose of the present study is to explain the characteristics of optimal policy and governance from the perspective of Imam Ali (s) in Nahj ul-Balāgha. The main research question in this article is: “What status does the optimal governance have from the view of Imam Ali (s)?” Furthermore, this study relies on the hypothesis that the characteristics of a favorable governance according to the idea of Imam Ali (s) are derived from divine commandments, and a series of factors such as transgression and inattention to meritocracy are considered as the features of a tyrannical government (Tāghūt). A favorable government in the idea of Imam Ali (s) is of special importance. The method of the study is descriptive analysis and the results showed that in the view of Imam Ali (s), legitimacy, public participation, transparency (accepting the criticisms and responding to them), responsibility and responsiveness, efficiency, and meritocracy have an effective role in creating a favorable government in society. On the other hand, he introduces transgression, inattention to meritocracy, autocracy, and power seeking as basic obstacles in the way of optimal governance.

The purpose of the present research is to study the relationship between Iran’s Islamic Revolution and the formation of the Axis of Resistance in giving identity to Lebanon’s Hizbullāh. The main hypothesis is that the Islamic and Shi’ite identity of Iran’s Revolution having some criteria such as soft power could have give identity to the Shi’ite movement of Lebanon’s Hizbullāh and emphasize on the spirit of seeking martyrdom, religion-centeredness, Shi’ite symbolism, belief in Wilāt-i Faqīh, and battle against the hegemony in regional aspects. The method of study was descriptive analysis and the results showed that the cultural, Shi’ite, political, and geographical features have expanded the identity that Iran’s Islamic Revolution has given to Lebanon’s Hizbullāh.

The purpose of the present study is to answer this basic question that from the perspective of methodology, ontology, and epistemology, what is the approach of either idealistic or Islamic theory to the balance of power in the realm of international relations? The method of study is descriptive analysis and it relies on the hypothesis that since the Islamic approach emphasizes on value and ethical issues, contrary to other macro international schools specially realism that is utilitarian and power-centered, therefore it can be stated that the Islamic approach to the subject of power equilibrium in the international realm is peaceful and at the same time against hegemony and political domination. The results of the study showed that Islam as a global religion has a special approach to the essence of international relations that is different from realism. The existing schools in international relations have different ontological, epistemological, and methodological foundations that determine their approach to the international system and as a result their viewpoint about the essence of international relations is distinct from each other. From anthropological view, the epistemological approach of the Islamic theory to international relations is not as pessimist as realism, but rather it maintains that human essence is a combination of instinct and nature, religious politics, and the theory of divine government so the overriding principle in international relations is the nobility of peace. The most important distinction between the Islamic and realistic approach to international relations lie in the epistemological foundations of the Islamic theory by which it could have represented an interpretation of the essence of international relations that corresponds more to the realities in the world.

The purpose of the present study is to survey the applications of futurology in public policy. To this aim, a descriptive-analytical method was used to explore the necessity of futurology as an interdisciplinary realm of study in political science, the applications of futurology in public policy as well as the differences between these two categories, the implementation methods of future studies in society, and their key objectives. The results showed that in general, futurology and policy are in line with each other but they have basic differences in their premises. In other words, if in public policy and planning we take futurology into account, much better efficient results will be achieved in the country because future studies and policy follow common objectives in their heart, that is to say, building a better future. If public policy in a country is organized based on the results of futurologists’ research, it will have tremendous contribution to the development and performance of the organizations within society. Future research in political studies is the outcome of fundamental values. It means that futurology should originate from basic norms. Although these norms involve people’s beliefs and ideas, they need to turn into a form of general and prevailing law in order to be considered fundamental values.

The purpose of the present study is to explore the geopolitics of Iran’s energy resources and foreign policy in 1370s. The method of study is descriptive analysis and the results showed that the relationship between oil and foreign policy is one of the main subjects in international policy and regional security in the Middle East and that historically the price of oil has always been effective on the political structure of the countries with oil reserves. In the 1370s, in order to implement the economic development plans, there was a need for attracting foreign resources and capitals through the backup of international economic institutions. In that period of time, Iran’s regional and international policy changed. Hāshimī Rafsanjānī had 2 fundamental objectives; first, to restore Iran’s economic structure, and second, to improve Iran’s relationship with international institutions. This issue paved the ground for a change in the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

MahmūdAhmadī Nizhād is the head of the 9th and 10th government in the Islamic Republic of Iran who launched his work with an approach to revive the principles and ideals of the Islamic Revolution. The purpose of the present study is to represent a distinct analysis of the concept of political development in the discourse of MahmūdAhmadī Nizhād that in contrast with the western conception of political development, is accompanied with some requirements such as establishing Islamic civilization by the Islamic Republic Government and improving Islamic culture and civilization in the international level. Using descriptive analysis, this study deals with the main research question that: what does the concept of political development mean in in the priciplist idea of MahmūdAhmadī Nizhād? This research delves deep into the principlist discourse of the parties and democratic organizations as well as the role of people in achieving the goals of the revolution and then represents a new interpretation of the concept of political development. This interpretation recognizes the establishment of Islamic civilization and justice by the Islamic Republic of Iran throughout the world as the center of this concept in the intellectual discourse of MahmūdAhmadī Nizhād.