The State, Iran short-term society, and critique of totalitarianism

The State:

The state, as one of the most important social and political institutions, plays a fundamental role in shaping the social, economic, and cultural structures of a country. In simple terms, the state is a set of institutions and structures that work to establish order, maintain security and public welfare, and implement laws and policies within a society. However, what distinguishes states from one another is the type of relationship they establish with the people and how they manage resources and power within society.

In Iran, one of the prominent features observed throughout history is the "short-term society." This concept, introduced by Homayoun Katouzian, refers to the tendency in Iran for political and economic decisions to be made based on immediate, short-term needs, with little attention given to long-term planning and development. This characteristic has been observed in Iran’s governance structure from ancient times to the present, hindering the establishment of sustainable development in the country.

Causes of the Short-Term Society in Iran

Several factors may have contributed to the formation of a short-term society in Iran:

1. Autocratic and Centralized Governments: Throughout Iran's history, governments have typically been autocratic and centralized. These types of governments have often focused more on preserving their power and dominance, with less attention paid to the long-term needs of society. As a result, economic and social decisions have often been made reactively, based on immediate needs.

2. Dependence on Natural Resources: One of the characteristics of Iran's economy is its heavy dependence on natural resources, especially oil. This reliance on oil has led governments to focus on oil revenues and use them to address immediate problems, rather than investing in sustainable development and long-term planning for other sectors of the economy.

3. Lack of Independent Civil Institutions: In Iran, there has been a lack of independent and active civil institutions. This has prevented the people from influencing government decisions, leading governments to focus more on short-term, reactive decisions to maintain their power.

Consequences of the Short-Term Society

The short-term society in Iran has had several negative consequences:

1. Lack of Sustainable Development: Due to the absence of long-term planning, Iran has been unable to achieve sustainable development in economic, social, and cultural areas.

2. Public Distrust: The people, due to repeated experiences with sudden, unplanned changes, have become distrustful of the government. This distrust has led to public dissatisfaction and social crises.

3. Lack of Social and Economic Security: A society focused on immediate needs often struggles to ensure social and economic security for the future. This leads to a sense of insecurity among the people, prompting them to seek migration or fundamental changes in society.

Critique of Totalitarianism

In this context, totalitarianism, as an extreme form of governance, not only questions individual and social freedoms but directly prevents sustainable development and people’s participation in the decision-making process. Totalitarianism, by concentrating all power in the hands of one individual or group, suppresses freedoms instead of strengthening civil institutions and protecting individual rights, transforming society into a closed and unchangeable system.

In such a government, all decisions are made top-down, with the people having no role in decision-making. This type of governance not only deprives people of their individual freedoms but also prevents society from progressing and developing. Particularly in societies like Iran, where the features of a short-term society are evident, totalitarianism can become one of the greatest obstacles to achieving sustainable development.

Rather than seeking to improve the people's situation, totalitarianism focuses on preserving its own power, sacrificing the rights and freedoms of the people for its own interests. These governments, instead of addressing the long-term and fundamental needs of the people, focus only on solving immediate problems and maintaining their control. The result of this is public dissatisfaction, social crises, and ultimately the collapse of totalitarian regimes.

Conclusion

Ultimately, for Iran to achieve sustainable development and move beyond its short-term society, it must move toward a government that respects individual and social freedoms and allows people to participate in the political and economic decisions of the country. Only in such a condition can Iran free itself from the reliance on immediate, short-term decisions and move toward a bright and sustainable future. Otherwise, any form of government, especially if totalitarian, will only lead to the continuation of existing problems and the suppression of freedoms.