Volume 15, Issue 3 (Quarterly Journal of Political Research in the Islamic World, Fall 2025 2025)
پژوهشهاي سياسي جهان اسلام 2025, 15(3): 0-0 |
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jamalpour R, khastu R, moghimi S. The Impact of Government Governance on Social Capital in Iran (2013–2021). پژوهشهاي سياسي جهان اسلام 2025; 15 (3)
URL: http://priw.ir/article-1-2042-en.html
URL: http://priw.ir/article-1-2042-en.html
1- Department of Political Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran
2- Department of Political Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran ,rahim.khastu@iau.ac.ir
2- Department of Political Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran ,
Abstract: (9 Views)
Social capital, as a set of networks, norms, and mutual trust, plays a fundamental role in good governance, political stability, and sustainable development. Focusing on the period of governance under Iran’s eleventh and twelfth administrations (2013–2021), this article examines the impact of governmental performance on the state of social capital in Iran. The main research question addresses the consequences of Hassan Rouhani’s government policies and performance in the economic, political, and social domains for institutional trust, civic participation, and social cohesion. The theoretical framework of the study is grounded in Robert Putnam’s conception of social capital, which is analyzed through three core components: networks and civic engagement, norms of reciprocity, and public and institutional trust. Methodologically, the research adopts a qualitative, descriptive–analytical approach, and the data are analyzed on the basis of objective indicators such as electoral participation rates, the prevalence of corruption and rent-seeking, tax evasion, elite migration, as well as statistical and documentary evidence. The findings indicate that although the Rouhani administration initially — particularly through the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) and its discourse of hope and moderation — created conditions conducive to a potential increase in social capital, the subsequent intensification of international sanctions, the persistence of structural economic inefficiencies, rising inequality, failure to effectively curb corruption, and political and social restrictions ultimately led to the erosion of institutional trust, a decline in civic participation, and the weakening of social cohesion. Declining electoral participation, increased propensity toward migration, and the expansion of financial and administrative distrust constitute key empirical manifestations of this erosion. The article concludes that the decline of social capital during this period resulted from a complex interaction of structural, institutional, and international factors; nevertheless, governance performance played a decisive role in exacerbating this trend. The restoration of social capital in Iran requires structural and institutional reforms, greater transparency and accountability, the reduction of inequality, and the reconstruction of institutional trust.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
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Received: 2025/05/4 | Accepted: 2025/09/10 | Published: 2025/09/23
Received: 2025/05/4 | Accepted: 2025/09/10 | Published: 2025/09/23
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