سپهر سیاست (Nov 2018)
Comparing the Role of Elites in the Process of Economic Development of Iran and Malaysia with an Emphasis on the Theory of Adrian Leftwich
Abstract
The purpose of this study is to compare the economic performance of Mahathir Bin Mohamad’s government in Malaysia and Seyyed Mohammad Khatami’s in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on “Adrian Leftwich's” theory of the role of political structure and government in the economic growth and development of countries. The present study’s research method is library research and descriptive analytical research. Considering the common points in the thoughts of Seyyed Mohammad Khatami and Mahathir Bin Mohamad on economic development, this study examines the reasons behind the weaker performance of Seyyed Mohammad Khatami compared with his counterpart in Malaysia. The findings suggest that, despite Khatami's and Mahatir Bin Mohammad's similar economic views, Khatami was unable to fully implement his economic plans due to the lack of authority and power of the president in determining the economic policies of Iran. While the political structure and compliance of other Malaysian political institutions from Mahathir Bin Mohamad led him to move Malaysia towards economic development using his economic plans. Therefore, Iran's economic development requires a national consensus and support for established economic policies. In sum, economic development requires a calm and low-tension environment, the internal solidarity among the elite of the community, political and religious pluralism, political stability, and a culture of collective efforts.
