Strategic Studies Quarterly

Abstract Based on the findings of the paper, continuous uneven development in Iran has led to problems as follows: continuation of migration from less developed regions to developed regions, inequality in population density, growing density of the population in developed regions, rising of marginalization around metropolitans, increasing risks for biosphere centers and tensions in utilization of the resources. These problems, in the medium and long term can lead to threat of social solidarity and cohesion, fragile national economy and political divergence which pose a threat against national security.
 

Abstract

The paper studies the Fifth Bill of Development inIranin terms of its effects on business environment in the country. Based on the general terms of the plan, promotion of the business environment is the main strategy for realization of the economic growth, social security and better life standards of the Iranian nation. Also, it will serve as an important factor in empowerment of the people against poverty, unemployment and inflation. Given the need to promote the business environment, some of the defects of the plane are explained in this paper.

Abstract

The first part of this essay tries to explain the nature of the Dutch syndrome and its symptoms inIraneconomy. Its second part discusses the proper management of. Negative consequences of overusing natural resources are discussed in Dutch syndrome.On time diagnosis of Dutch syndrome in economy is not an easy task. However, indicators such as supporting national money, exchange rate increasing, high  price of un-exchangeable goods, imports increasing, decreasing of surplus value of industrial sectors are some indicators that notify economists of Dutch syndrome.

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to identify the nature and root causes of theUSfinancial crisis and to consider the effects of the global crisis and recession on the Iranian economy. The author argues that the cause of the crisis is not the competitive market function but in fact it emanated from wrong interference of the US Administration in the economy. By low rates of interest, theUSmonetary authorities had distorted the information system regarding prices within the competitive market and then they had interrupted the link between the monetary and private sectors which finally led to the economic crisis.From the author's viewpoint, the global crisis and recession would affect the developing countries including the Islamic Republic of Iran. Although, this crisis consists of some potential opportunities for the Iranian economy, its threats are stronger than those opportunities which finally can lead to recession of the country's economy.

Abstract The main purpose of this paper is to study the pathology of the ways combating administrative corruption in Iran. There are not many countries like Iranwhich is involved in combating administrative corruption and its politicians pay that amount of attention to this problem. However, despite lots of resources dedicated to this combat in Iran, less result has been achieved. This paper argues that this is because of ignoring or less attention to the effective problems, the most important of which are as follows: ethical approach in combating corruption, generalization of Weberian bureaucracy to the reality, concealment and lack of transparency in combating administrative corruption, neglecting the citizen's demand side of administrative corruption, bureaucratic authority, weak bases of the client and its fragile feature in the bureaucracy, sympathetic attempts in a rentier environment, centralized ownership of mass media and limitations by the governments over the quantity and quality of their reports, deficient use of market-oriented mechanisms, pressure of interest groups to restrain from seriously following the combat administrative corruption and finally lack of trust to the relevant independent institutions

Abstract Operational budgeting is a part of policy package based on market in public sector in order to better provide public goods and services. This reform effort focuses on the cost of the unit providing goods and services and their quality efficiency as well as the outcomes resulting from credits allocated to executive and policy-making apparatus. Generally speaking, it refers to satisfaction of citizens such as tax-payers. In the first section of the article, the author counts certain functions of operational budgeting, arguing that its establishment will lead to the improvement of managerial and policy decisions, betterment of operations of the executive apparatus and increasing their accountability, as well as provision ofoutlook on the government positively and enhance its popularity.In the second section, the author holds that in spite of all deficiencies and difficulties that the first operational budgeting will bring about for the country, this reform effort should be continued to the end. The author at the end offers recommendations for strengthening the efficiency of such reform initiative.

Abstract This article seeks to highlight the importance of social capital in good governance and its fragility and vulnerability to the state conduct and actions. Social capital is the cornerstone of the affluent society and efficient government. It is in the shadow of the maintenance, enforcement and accumulation of this valuable resource that society can benefit from the achievements of development and good governance. Hence, not only the state has to assess the consequences of its actions on social capital, but also it needs to provide a trustful social environment which makes confidence, willingness to keep promises, will to cooperation and assistance and entering the social networks meaningful and useful for the members of society. The author believes that by adjusting or removing such deficiencies as dysfunction in allocation, organizational recession, agency problem, corruption in public sector, and possible tensions and conflicts between politicians and bureaucrats, as well as reinforcing internal oversight, social capital provides the possibility for better supply of public management goods. On the one hand, the government can pave the way for the production of social capital through individual, social and institutional betterment, and preparing a trustful social environment, and on the other hand it may contribute to its destruction through weakening the constructive sources of social capital.

Abstract This article mainly seeks to provide a framework to help us reach a better understanding of the nature, causes and grounds of the rise of administrative (economic) corruption in a political-economic system. Administrative corruption refers to the misuse by a person of public powers for self-interests of a party, faction, friends, relatives and so on. It indeed appears when the public civil servants fail to make a distinction between personal and public interests in executing their public powers. On this basis, the author identifies six approaches to administrative corruption and examines the causes and grounds for the rise of corruption within these contexts. These approaches include: cost-benefit, relative deprivation, rent-seeking, employer, non-agent, patron-client and moral approaches. Each of these approaches is able to explain part of administrative corruption. The former five approaches take political and institutional grounds into their analytical agenda, which consolidate and underpin the capacity of public sector’s employee in taking personal advantage of public power – i.e. the essence of corruption. According to the author, administrative corruption is a kind of institutional dysfunction related to the institutional arrangements and political structures of a society rather than the bureaucrats’ immorality. In conclusion, the author has counted the characteristics of an effective strategy to battle corruption, which contains the policy recommendations of the five aforementioned approaches.