Redefining Sustainable Development in the Islamic Republic of Iran from the Perspective of the Thoughts and Discourses of the Supreme Leader
Keywords:
Islamic-Iranian Model of Development, Resistance Economy, Statement on the Second Step of the Revolution, Enduring (Sustainable) Development, National Cultural Capacity-BuildingAbstract
This study aimed to redefine the conceptual framework of sustainable development in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on the discourse and guidance of the Supreme Leader and to examine its linkage with measurable development indicators. This applied–developmental research used a mixed-method design. In the qualitative phase, 53 speeches and 12 strategic statements by the Supreme Leader (1989–2023) and key policy documents such as the “Statement on the Second Step of the Revolution” and macro-level policies were analyzed using meta-analysis and Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis. Reliability was ensured through double coding and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (0.82). In the quantitative phase, indicators including the Human Development Index (HDI), Environmental Performance Index (EPI), share of knowledge-based enterprises, non-oil exports, renewable energy share, and elite migration rate (2010–2023) were collected from credible international and national sources and compared with the extracted conceptual framework. Four fundamental pillars were identified in the Leader’s discourse: social and regional justice (37% of themes), resistance-based economy and national self-reliance (29%), environmental protection as a religious and ethical duty (21%), and cultural development and empowerment of young human capital (13%). Quantitative trends showed Iran’s HDI improving from 0.707 (2010) to 0.783 (2022), the share of knowledge-based economy rising from 1.5% to 4.2%, and non-oil exports growing by 35%. However, regional development disparities persist up to 0.2 points, Iran’s EPI rank remained at 67 in 2022, and renewable energy accounts for only 1.2% of the electricity mix. Sustainable development in Iran requires a localized and civilizational redefinition anchored in social justice, economic resilience, environmental ethics, and youth-driven human capital. This framework can better align national policy with the ideals of the Islamic Revolution and improve international development rankings while advancing the Islamic-Iranian Model of Progress.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ayoub Tayari Dorbash (Author); Akbar Heydari (Corresponding author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
