The Shadow of Centralization: Exploring Rural Mismanagement and Governance Challenges in Iran

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

• Zabihh-allah Torabi
• Ali Mokhtari Karchegani
• Mehdi Pourtaheri

Tarbiat Madras University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22067/jrrp.2025.92706.1130

Abstract

Purpose- This study elucidates the profound impact of power struggles on rural management and the multifaceted challenges confronting rural municipalities (RMs) in Iran. The concept of rural mismanagement, initially proposed to decentralize power and reduce government control, has been a pivotal theme in Iranian rural development literature. Over the past 23 years, tensions between mismanagement and the government have intensified, culminating in an escalation of power struggles among rural stakeholders. This research enriches the existing literature by offering novel insights into the common obstacles faced by rural mismanagement in developing countries.
Design/methodology/approach- The study employed qualitative thematic analysis to examine the challenges faced by RMs. Snowball sampling was utilized to identify informed respondents. Through qualitative interviews with 60 local administrators, rural management experts, government officials, and residents, we identified that villages with fewer than 20 households are not recognized as villages and lack RMs, resulting in adverse social and economic consequences. For thematic analysis, interview data were analyzed using the immersion technique and the MAXQDA text analysis program to uncover underlying meanings, structures, themes, and patterns.
Finding- This research underscores the challenges facing rural management in Iran and the necessity to expand its functional areas and activities beyond rural boundaries. The findings reveal that RMs are constrained in their responsibilities, limiting their capacity to effectively address organizational concerns. Moreover, distrust in the government undermines the ability of RMs to address community issues, despite their expectations. The research highlights the difficulties RMs encounter in countries with centralized and hierarchical governance structures. The application of the research results underscores the importance of empowering local management, facilitating participation, and institutionalizing processes to address fragmented policymaking and conflicts of interest in rural management. This approach aligns with broader challenges in Iranian rural development, including weak management structures and lack of coordinated programs, which hinder sustainable development.

Keywords

• Local management
• Government
• Hierarchical structure
• Rural municipalities
• Iran

Main Subjects

• Rural Studies

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