Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

A Comparative-Historical Study of Accountability in the Persian Public Administration: Is There a Paradox?

  • Published:
Public Organization Review Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

There is divine and democratic legitimacy in the Islamic Republic state of Iran. Therefore, bureaucracy confronts dichotomies such as ‘religious commitment and being qualified/professional’, ‘accountability to Vali-e-Faqih and public’, ‘alms-tax dichotomy’, and ‘institutions and Bonyads. The purpose of this paper is to investigate this paradox using historical-comparative analysis. In conclusion, through three mainstreams – i.e., ancient Persia tolerant bureaucracy, contributions from the new public service professional principles and restricting the power of Guardian Jurist to determine the overall red lines of bureaucracy – insights are presented to resolve these conflicts, in particular, the accountability paradox, which needs further explanation and empirical study.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abrahamian, E. (1982). Iran between Two Revolutions. Princeton University Press.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Afzali, R. (2007). Modern State in Iran; what is the modern state. Mofid University Press. Qom. Iran [in Persian]

  • Al-Bukhari, M.[Imam al-Bukhari or Imam Bukhari] (846 AD). Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī [The six books]. Kutub al-Sittah Book Series [in Arabic]

  • Alfoneh, Ali. (2013). Iran Unveiled: How the Revolutionary Guards is Turing theocracy into military dictatorship. AEI Press. Available at https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780844772530

  • Azadi, P. (2019). Governance and Development in Iran. Working Paper 8, Stanford Iran 2040 Project, Stanford University.

  • Badie, B. (1986). The two states; power and society in the West and Islam. Paris. Fayard. Translated by Naghibzadeh Ahmed. (2001). Baz Publications. Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Bagherzadeh, M. (2006). Origin of legitimacy in the Islamic Republic state. Journal of Ma’refat., 12, 59–73. [in Persian].

    Google Scholar 

  • Bakhash, S. (1971). The Evolution of Qajar Bureaucracy: 1779–1879. Middle Eastern Studies, 7(2), 139–168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Behn, R. (1999). The New Public Management Paradigm and the Search of Democratic Accountability. International Public Management Journal, 1(2), 131–265.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bill, J. A. (1982). Power and Religion in Revolutionary Iran. Middle East Journal, 36(1), 22–47.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boroujerdi, M., & Rahimkhani, K. (2018). Post-revolutionary Iran. A Political Handbook. Syracuse University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bresser-Pereira, L. C. (2004). Democracy and public management reform. Oxford University Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/0199261180.001.0001. Published to Oxford Scholarship Online: https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/0199261180.001.0001/acprof-9780199261185

  • Buchta, W. (2000). Who Rules Iran? The Structure of Power in the Islamic Republic. the Washington Institute for Near East Policy and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. United States of America.

  • Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran. (1979). Articles 107–112

  • Danaeefard H., Mostafazadeh M. (2017) Political Approach to Public Administration in Iran’s Public Sector. In: Farazmand A. (eds) Global Encyclopedia of Public Administration, Public Policy, and Governance. Springer, Cham.

  • Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2000). The New Public Service: Serving, not steering. Public Administration Review., 60(6), 549–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Denhardt, R. B., & Denhardt, J. V. (2007). The New Public Service: Serving, not steering. Sharpe Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Cultural Affairs and Public Relations of the Islamic Consultative Assembly. (1985). Majlis negotiations book; Session 20. Majlis Shora’e Islami Press. Tehran. Iran [in Persian]. Available at: https://irandataportal.syr.edu/wp-content/uploads/volume-1-jaleseh-ye-avval-ta-si-va-yekom.pdf

  • Douglass, Charles A. Hays, Michael D. . (2008). A US Strategy for Iran Research report. Ch. 3. Analysis of Iran. Air University Press. http://www.jstor.com/stable/resrep13989.10

  • Ejlali, Farzam. (1994). The Foundations of Qajar Rule (Tribal Political System and Modern Technocracy). Amirkabir Press. Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Encyclopaedia Iranica. (1992). Constitutional Revolution 6(2), 163–216. Available at: https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/constitutional-revolution-iii

  • Faghihi, A. H. and Dana’ifard, H. (2006). Bureaucracy and development in Iran; a historical-comparative perspective. Publications of Rasa Cultural Services Institute (1st ed.). Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Fainsod, M. (1963). Bureaucracy and modernization: The Russian and Soviet case. Princeton University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1987). the Impacts of the Revolution of 1978–79 on the Iranian Bureaucracy and Civil Service System. International Journal of Public Administration, 10(4), 337–365.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1989). the State, Bureaucracy, and Revolution in Modern Iran: Agrarian Reforms and Regime Politics. Praeger.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1995). Religion and Politics in Contemporary Iran: Shia radicalism, revolution, and national character”. International Journal on Group Rights, 3(3), 227–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1996). Religion and politics in contemporary Iran: Shia radicalism, revolution, and national character. International Journal on Group Rights, 3(3), 227–257.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, Ali. (1998). Administration of the World-State Achaemenid Persian Empire: 559–330 B.C.: Implications for Modern Governance and Public Administration”. International Journal of Public Administration, 21(1), 25–86.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1998b). Failure of Administrative Reform and the Revolution of 1978–79 in Iran: A Contextual and Comparative Analysis. Korean Review of Public Administration, 3(2), 1–31.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Farazmand, A. (1999). Administrative Reform in Modern Iran: An Historical Perspective. International Journal of Public Administration 22 (6)/June, 917–946

  • Feirahi, D. (2001). Political system and government in Islam; Shi’a Political system. Journal of Political Science. No., 16, 61–90. [in Persian].

    Google Scholar 

  • Feirahi, D. (2006). Political system and government in Islam. SAMT Publications (1st ed.). Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Fuzi, Y. (2007). Political thought of Imam Khomeini (RA). Daftar-i Nasr-i Ma’aref Publications (1st ed.). Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Heady, F. (1996). Public Administration: A Comparative Perspective (5th ed.). Marcel Dekker.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heper, M. (1987). the State and Public Bureaucracy: A Comparative Perspective. Greenwood Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heper, M., Chong, L. K., & Seong-Tong, P. (1980a). The role of bureaucracy and regime types: A comparative: Study of Turkish and South Korean Higher Civil Servants. Administration & Society, 12(2), 137–157.

  • Karimi, MRW (2010). Islam’s Viewpoints in Searching for the Legitimacy of the Political System. Journal of Islamic State 3: 135–160. Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Katouzian, H. (1997). arbitrary rule: A comparative theory of the state, politics and society in Iran. British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies, 24(1), 49–73.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Katouzian, H. (2004). the short-term society: A study in the problems of long-term political and economic development in Iran. Middle Eastern Studies, 40(1), 1–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kettl, D. F. (2000). Public administration at the millennium: The state of the field. Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, 10(1), 7–34.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalaji, M. (2011). Iran’s Regime of Religion. Journal of International Affairs, 65(1), 131–147.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khomeini, R. (2000a). Sahifeh nour [Book of light; An Anthology of Imam Khomeini’s Speeches, Messages, Interviews, Decrees, Religious Permissions, and Letters]. Vol. 17. Moasseh Tanzim va Nashre Asare Imam[The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works (International Affairs Department)]. Tehran. Iran. available at: http://en.imam-khomeini.ir/en/c5_3207/Book/English/SAHIFEH-YE-IMAM-Volume-17

  • Khomeini, R. (2000b). Sahifeh nour [Book of light; An Anthology of Imam Khomeini’s Speeches, Messages, Interviews, Decrees, Religious Permissions, and Letters]. Vol. 27. Moasseh Tanzim va Nashre Asare Imam[The Institute for Compilation and Publication of Imam Khomeini’s Works (International Affairs Department)]. Tehran. Iran. available at: http://en.imam-khomeini.ir/en/c5_3207/Book/English/SAHIFEH-YE-IMAM-Volume-27

  • Lambton, A. K. S. (1980). Theory and practice in medieval Persian government. Variorum Reprints.

    Google Scholar 

  • Malcolm, J. (1829). the History of Persia: From the Most Early Period to the Present Time. Vol 1. Murray Publications

  • Malcolm, J. (2011). the History of Persia: From the Most Early Period to the Present Time (Cambridge Library Collection - Travel, Middle East and Asia Minor). Vol 2. Cambridge University Press

  • Minorsky, V. (1943). Tadhkirat al-Mulūk : a manual of Ṣafavid administration (circa 1137/1725) Persian text in facsimile (B.M. Or. 9496) / translated and explained by V. Minorsky. "E.J.W. Gibb Memorial" series ; new series. 16. London: Luzac.

  • Muscher, F. (1968). Democracy and the Public Service. New York: Oxford University Press.

  • Neuman, L. W. and Robson, K. (2008). Basics of Social Research: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches, First Canadian Edition. Pearson Education Canada

  • Nizam al-Mulk Toosi. (1985). SIASAT NAMEH [Book of Politics]/Siyar al-mulûk [The Lives of Kings]. Scientific and Cultural Publishing Company. Tehran. Iran [in Persian].

  • Noori, R. (2013). Foundations of Public Administration: The Theories of State and Public Administration in Iran. Research Institute of Hawzah and University (RIHU) Press. [in Persian].

    Google Scholar 

  • Noori, R., & Mohamadhossein, H-R. (2021). Toward Islamic-Iranian public administration theory: Acomparative historical study. Public Policy and Administration, 20(4), 543–558. https://doi.org/10.13165/VPA-21-20-4-14

  • Noori, R., Abedijafari, H., Feirahi, D., Faghihi, A., Taleghani, G. (2012). Relationship of State and Public Administration in Iran: A Comparative-Historical Study. Journal of Public Administration 4(9), 117–140. Tehran. Iran [in Persian]

  • Peng, W. (2008). A Critique of Fred W Riggs’ Ecology of Public Administration. Public Administration Quarterly, 32(4), 528–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, F. (1964). Administration in Developing Countries. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

    Google Scholar 

  • Riggs, F. (1973). Prismatic Society Revisited. General Learning Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Romzek, B. S., & Ingraham, P. (2000). Cross Pressures of Accountability: Initiative, Command, and Failure in the Ron Brown Plane Crash. Public Administration Review, 60(3), 240–253.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sadiqallah, Motasem and Abualqasim, Hamdi Abualqasim. (2020). The Relationship Between the Supreme Leadership and Presidency and Its Impact on the Political System in Iran. www.rasanah-iiis.org, Retrived from: https://rasanah-iiis.org/english/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2020/02/

  • Saeidi, A. A. (2004). The accountability of para-governmental organizations (bonyads): The case of Iranian foundations. Iranian Studies, 37(3), 479–498.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samii, A. W. (2004). Dissent in Iranian Elections: Reasons and Implications. Middle East Journal, 58(3): 403–423. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4330032

  • Savory, R. (1980). Iran under the Safavids. Cambridge University Press (1st ed.)

  • Sial, O. (2006). A Guide to the Legal System of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Law firm of Hasan & Sial, Advocates and Corporate Counselors. Retrieved at 2018/02/05 from: https://www.nyulawglobal.org/globalex/Iran.html.

  • Tabatabaei, Javad. S. (2008) An introduction to the history of political thought in Iran. Kavir Publications. Tehran. Iran [in Persian].

  • Vigoda, E. (2002). from Responsiveness to Collaboration: Governance, Citizens, and the Next Generation of Public Administration. Public Administration Review, 62(5), 527–540.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M. (1965). Sociology of Religion. Methuen Books Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, M. (1974). Theory of Social and Economic organization. Free Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarshater, E. 2008. The Cambridge History of Iran in Seven Volumes. Volume 3. Cambridge Histories Online. Cambridge University Press

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Human Resource Management Department, Management Faculty, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran

    Roohallah Noori

Authors
  1. Roohallah Noori
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roohallah Noori.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Informed consent

The author/authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.

Ethical approval

We strongly advise author/s NOT to:

• Willing fully and knowingly submit false data;

• Submit data from a source without the authors’ own permission;

• Submit previously published material (with the exception of abstracts) without correct and proper quotation;

• Omit reference to the works of other previous researchers;

• Falsely certify that the submitted work is original.

• Use material previously published elsewhere without written prior approval of the copyright holder.

Name and Signature of the author/s, Roohallah Noori

Date: 4/10/2021

figure a

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Noori, R. A Comparative-Historical Study of Accountability in the Persian Public Administration: Is There a Paradox?. Public Organiz Rev 23, 285–303 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-022-00619-8

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-022-00619-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation