The future of development in Iran is considered grave and concerning, and with mentioning its risks, it is stated that “if serious measures are not taken to confront these risks, the path towards the future development of Iran will be blocked.” Saeed Madani Ghahfarokhi is a sociologist and senior researcher in social sciences and a university professor in Iran who has years of experience as a journalist in his resume. He is one of the founders of the Iran Farda magazine, who has tasted and experienced the bitterness of detention and imprisonment multiple times and has witnessed the problems caused by it.

The monthly magazine Khat-e-Solh has sat down with this senior researcher in social sciences to discuss development in Iran, and he emphasizes on sustainable development and explains it, while also delving into the unsuccessful experience of development in Iran and mentioning its indicators. He also points out the structural problems of Iran’s economy in this area. He stresses the need for serious measures to confront the risks of development

What is your definition of development? Is development simply an economic concept?

Definitions of development vary greatly depending on economic trends and schools of thought. But in my opinion, what can be recommended for the development of Iran is sustainable development. The term sustainable development was first introduced in the report of the Brundtland Commission, titled “Our Common Future” and at the Rio Summit in 1992. Since then, there have been debates about what sustainable development means and how it can be achieved. Some see it as moral development, while others emphasize its ecological aspects. Despite these differences, the central concept is that the human system is an important part of the ecosystem and should be the focus of development. There are various definitions of sustainable development, some of which include:

– Sustainable development means integrating economic, social, and environmental goals to maximize the current well-being of humans without harming the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
– The World Commission on Environment and Development, which first introduced the term, defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the current generation

To measure development in a country, what indicators should be referred to?

Amartia San considers freedom both a tool for development and a goal of development. In her view, ideal and developed societies must possess the following characteristics:
1. Political freedoms (freedom to choose a government, freedom of speech and press, etc.);
2. Economic opportunities (ability to use economic resources for production or generating income);
3. Social opportunities (access to education, healthcare, and other basic needs);
4. Transparency (ability for everyone to access information);
5. Support system (existence of social safety nets to help people escape poverty and destitution). In my opinion, these characteristics can serve as excellent indicators of development. However, the approach to achieving them is also important. A combination of welfare, justice-oriented, poverty-reducing, empowering, and employment-focused approaches can provide a comprehensive set of indicators for measuring development.

How do you evaluate the development process in our country from the beginning until now? What have been the ups and downs?

Iran, along with most countries in the world, has embarked on a path of development through the formulation and implementation of medium-term development programs. However, it is still classified as a developing country, while some societies, such as Southeast Asian countries, which have a much shorter history of development planning compared to Iran, have achieved higher levels of development according to development indicators. Therefore, we are still classified as a country with unsuccessful development experience.

In economic development, we have always been faced with the slogan of development without oil. However, this slogan has never been achieved. What is the reason for this?

In Iran, the behavior and actions of politicians towards the blessing of oil have always been questioned. According to historical evidence, the desire and will of Iran’s rulers to acquire and spend oil revenues has been relatively evident in development and prosperity. However, this developmental approach has been implemented in different ways. For example, the difference in the policies of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in using oil as a tool for regional power in OPEC and even in international politics, and the rapid movement towards industrialization and the perception of leaders after the revolution in utilizing oil as a tool for foreign policy and different production policies after the victory of the revolution can be mentioned. Reviewing and reflecting on their goals using modern knowledge and data is necessary for learning and overcoming current obstacles. Understanding the paradox of the desire and will for development of Iranian politicians, alongside explaining structural problems in Iran such as the Dutch disease and the non-productivity of the economy and inefficiency in employment, is important. The tendency of governments with oil

How do you see the perspectives and future of development in Iran?

The three factors that have greatly worsened the future of development in Iran and are deeply concerning are: the negative results of implementing structural adjustment policies and the subsequent neoliberal policies; the relentless increase in poverty and inequality; and the alarming destruction of the environment and natural resources. If serious measures are not taken to address these risks, the path towards development in Iran will be blocked. Achieving such a solution requires a political decision to help Iran overcome its current fundamental crisis.

Thank you for the time you have given to the peace line.