Comparative Analysis of Local Governance Patterns and Their Role in Shaping Cultural Identity and National Security in Iran
Keywords:
comparative study, governance models , national security , national identity, Local governanceAbstract
This study aims to examine the role of local governance patterns in shaping cultural identity and national security in Iran, employing a historical analysis method focused on four key periods (from the Constitutional Revolution to the present). The findings indicate that local governance in Iran has had a dual and complex relationship with these two components. In the realm of cultural identity, local participatory institutions (such as Anjoman-e Baladieh and city councils) during decentralized periods (the Constitutional Revolution and post-Islamic Revolution era) contributed to the enhancement of cultural self-awareness and national cohesion by recognizing ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity. In contrast, the centralization during the reigns of Reza Shah and Mohammad Reza Shah, by imposing a homogenized national identity and suppressing unofficial cultural expressions, led to social alienation and the weakening of cohesion. In the domain of national security, centralization based on powerful security institutions (both before and after the Islamic Revolution), although effective in creating short-term stability, led to the exacerbation of ethnic and sectarian divides and internal instability in the long run by ignoring local demands and perpetuating systemic discrimination. Conversely, participatory local governance (post-revolution councils), by gaining the trust of society, helped reduce tensions, although the influence of central institutions and resource limitations curtailed its effectiveness. Therefore, it can be concluded that sustainable national security and cultural cohesion in Iran are not achieved through opposition, but rather through the overlap of an efficient central authority and responsive local governance. In other words, the optimal governance model must historically balance territorial unity (through necessary centralization) and the recognition of the cultural and social rights of local communities (through decentralized participation).
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Copyright (c) 2025 Seyed Sajjad Mousavi Nezhadbanam (Author); Mir Ghasem Banihashemi (Corresponding Author); Garineh Keshishyan Siraki, Hasan khodaverdi (Author)
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