Rural Development in Contemporary Iran 1950-2010

In many developing countries, pressure exists from external interests who urge their allies to carry out development programs as part of an institutional overhaul or as a means of avoiding radical or revolutionary change. The goals of these programs presume that it is possible to eradicate or, at least, diminish social inequality. However, contrary to these expectations, development plans from above dose not effectively alter rural social structures, and, as such, brings socio-economic inequalities, as in the case of Iran. This work assesses the impact of rural development programs on Iranian peasants and examines some demographic and socio-economic dimensions of the country's rural community during recent decades. The present article goes on to evaluate the significance and implementation of 1960s & 1980s land reform laws, and the socio-economic effects of land redistribution on the Iranian peasantry's relation of production, land exploitation patterns, farming systems and rural class structure (i.e. the weakening of absentee landowners and the expansion of the rural petty bourgeoisie). The result shows that the fundamental problems of rural development plans in Iran are the following: a) Lack of a correct thinking on rural development. The reality is that despite defining idealistic, ambitious goals at the beginning of each plan, the planners and managers consider rural development as a process that makes villages similar to cities. b) Lack of a definite strategy for rural development, with clear definitions for development, rural development, and developed villages. Of course, this is a problem that can be seen in all development plans. c) Lack of a comprehensive approach towards rural development and existence of an abstract, non-systemic view of village and rural development. d) Lack of a single, umbrella organization that takes responsibility for rural development plans and projects.