Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; Majid Gholami
Abstract
Regimes are a well-known theory in political studies and international relations that is widely used in the analysis of transnational and global phenomena. Although the concept of "power" plays a key role in the process of forming the concept of regimes, so far the scientific literature of the geopolitical ...
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Regimes are a well-known theory in political studies and international relations that is widely used in the analysis of transnational and global phenomena. Although the concept of "power" plays a key role in the process of forming the concept of regimes, so far the scientific literature of the geopolitical field to study these phenomena has not been used, unfortunately. Accordingly, the geopolitical explanation of the concept and role of "regimes" in geopolitical structures and the introduction of this concept analysis in the field of geopolitics is the subject of this article. The main question is how to explain the structure and function of the concept of regimes with a geopolitical approach? In response to this question, using a descriptive-analytical method and using library sources, the hypothesis of the article is that “regime is a complex structure of objective and subjective agents that directly or indirectly is responsible for the political organization of the geopolitical structure. It controls the function of the structure and generates power by the spatial distribution of power among the components of this structure. In fact, regimes are the regulators of the functioning of geopolitical structures and system governance”. Findings show that mental regimes are the subject of social studies, political studies, and international relations, and in particular, are not the subject of discussion in the field of geopolitics, but they are the subject of our discussion in the field of geopolitics when they are objectified in the form of institutions and organizations and affect geographical environments.
Yashar Zaki; Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; Marjan Badiee Azandahi; Seyed Rahmatallah Mousavifar; Seyyed Mohammad Moghimi
Abstract
Introduction: Geographic factors make the political organization of space geographically. Each factor at any geographical scale, due to the level of power and to the extent that it utilizes various instruments appropriate to the level of sovereignty and power, leads to the political organization of space. ...
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Introduction: Geographic factors make the political organization of space geographically. Each factor at any geographical scale, due to the level of power and to the extent that it utilizes various instruments appropriate to the level of sovereignty and power, leads to the political organization of space. The global action circle represents the world's largest geographic scale. The question raised is how the global system, through which mechanisms and processes at the global level, makes political organization of space.Methodology: The research methodology of the present paper is based on the qualitative method and on the principles of analysis-explanation.Result and discussion: The global system, through structural and non-structural elements, leads to the political organization of space. Power is the driving force behind the global system for achieving its goals. The global system creates and strengthens the structural power of institutions and organizations. Institutions and organizations produce the rules and norms they need globally. All political units are required to observe the laws and regulations of the world system and, in the event of non-compliance of political units and countries, these rules are faced with the violent power of global powers. Through discourse, global powers differentiate themselves from countries that they dislike for the global order and punish them through violent power or sanctions.Conclusion: In the end, global powers, with the backing of institutions, laws, regulations, norms and production discourses, legitimize their actions on the global stage.
bagher ghalibaf; Marjan Badiee; Yashar Zaki; Mosayeb Gharehbeygi
Abstract
After the four decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has used political and economic models that has left special influences in the geographical space of Iran according to the political thought embedded in it. However, the common point of all spatial patterns in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been ...
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After the four decades, the Islamic Republic of Iran has used political and economic models that has left special influences in the geographical space of Iran according to the political thought embedded in it. However, the common point of all spatial patterns in the Islamic Republic of Iran has been activism within a completely centralized pattern. The increasing concentration of affairs in centralized political-spatial units causes shortcomings and inadequacies that disrupt the spatial distribution of justice and development at the same time; Because the political-spatial units that make up countries have a different and heterogeneous set of natural-human elements and factors. Hence, the issue of the form and process of spatial distribution of power in such units has always been a fundamental concern of geographers. Iran, as a political-spatial unit, has also struggled with the functional patterns of power distribution. In this regard, the present study with a descriptive-analytical method has investigated the feasibility of using the semi-centralized model of local government for the optimal distribution of power within the judiciary and security in Iran. The results show that by doubling the spatial distribution of power in Iran into two parts of local affairs and governance, a logical framework for the application of each of these two parts emerges. In judicial affairs, organizations such as the Registry of Deeds and Property, the Organization of Prisons and Security-Training Measures, the Center for Dispute Resolution Councils, and the Forensic Medicine Organization have an increasing capacity to delegate to local governments due to their service-welfare nature. In the field of security, the categories and organizations in the police force, such as the Passport Office, the Public Service Organization, categories of the Preventive Police and the Traffic Police, due to the preventive nature and services can be Delegate local affairs representatives.
Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf; Abbas Ahmadi Kerch; Yashar Zaki; ehsan lashgari Tafreshi; morteza razavinezhad
Abstract
Abstract
The spatial distribution of political-executive power in countries has different patterns with its weaknesses and strengths. In Iran, a centralized simple model is used; This type of system caused the national unity and cohesion of the country in the first decade of the ...
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Abstract
The spatial distribution of political-executive power in countries has different patterns with its weaknesses and strengths. In Iran, a centralized simple model is used; This type of system caused the national unity and cohesion of the country in the first decade of the Islamic Revolution, but now, it seems has gradually become an effecting deterrent factor for the country's progress and development due to extensive changes and transformations. The main question of this research is what are the most important disadvantages that a centralized simple system has caused to the country? And what is the severity of these? Based on the finding of this study conducted in the descriptive-analytical method with the participation of 185 academic and executive elites of the country, 10 thematic axes were identified and prioritized as the most important disadvantages of a centralized simple system. These were assessed in a one-sample t-test. The main disadvantages of the centralized simple system in the country are, Neglecting the requirements of local characteristics (t:33.00); neglecting of legal and legislative capacities (t:24.00), inefficiency of administrative-bureaucratic system (t:24.00), spatial injustice and unbalanced development (t:23.00), incomplete participation of people in Local Government Office (t:23.00), non-segregation of activities and responsibilities (t:22.00), irresponsibility, lack of belonging sense and accountability of local officials (t:22.00), pressure on the central government (t:21.00), Lack of development of parties(t:16.00), Continuation of authoritarian and flattering political culture (t:14.00). It seems that the Islamic Republic of Iran has to pay enough attention to these disadvantages in order to progress and develop faster. It has to smooth the way for the excellence of society by changing the level of concentration in the context of a decentralized simple system.
yashar zaki; Hasan Karimi; Mohamad bagher Ghalibaf; Javad Etaat
Abstract
The Mediterranean region is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, where considered as the prelude to the rivalry between the East and the West, the conflict between the Arab countries and Israel, and the confrontation between the developing and industrialized countries on both sides of the ...
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The Mediterranean region is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, where considered as the prelude to the rivalry between the East and the West, the conflict between the Arab countries and Israel, and the confrontation between the developing and industrialized countries on both sides of the sea. One of the most important geopolitical regions of the Mediterranean area is the eastern Mediterranean. Syria, Lebanon, and occupied Palestine are considered as Iran's "geopolitical core" in the eastern part of Mediterranean Sea. Iran as one of the important regional actors has paid special attention to the eastern Mediterranean Sea since 1980. The question is what effects does the eastern Mediterranean area could have on Iran's geopolitical territoriality in southwest Asia? In response, it can be said that the Eastern Mediterranean has an important place in the geopolitical realm of Iran in Southwest Asia and its leadership over the Islamic world. The findings of this study indicate that the position of the Eastern Mediterranean on the Mediterranean coast, proximity to the Straits of Gibraltar and Suez, the presence of Shiite minorities in Syria and Lebanon, the only countries close to Iran in the adoption of regional and global policies, complement Iran's geopolitics in dominating the central part of the Islamic world, the Iranian-Iraqi energy route to Europe, and Iran's embankment against Israel are important geopolitical factors that justify Iran's regional policy in the eastern Mediterranean. Therefore, it can be said that the geopolitical territorialization of Iran in the eastern Mediterranean is a realistic matter and in line with the national interests of Iran.
bagher ghalibaf; Seyyed Abbas ahmadi; Yashar Zaki; faramarz azimi
Abstract
As the capital and largest city of Tehran, the metropolis of Tehran needs more efficient and efficient management. In the wide range of managerial proposals, centralized to decentralized approaches, the semi-centralized governance model is proposed and claimed. On the other hand, considering that the ...
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As the capital and largest city of Tehran, the metropolis of Tehran needs more efficient and efficient management. In the wide range of managerial proposals, centralized to decentralized approaches, the semi-centralized governance model is proposed and claimed. On the other hand, considering that the spatial distribution of power is the focus of changes that the semi-centralized model with its transformation will determine the possibility of transition to efficient management of Tehran, the present study, relying on it, tries to examine the spatial distribution of power. And its practical priorities in this metropolis. The main topic of this article is to present the priorities of spatial distribution of power for the management of the city of Tehran with a semi-centralized approach. In this regard, the main question of the research is that in the transition from the current centralized to semi-centralized model, the spatial distribution of power in Tehran, with what characteristics can be presented in the four dimensions of executive, judicial, legislative and security? In response to the main question of the research, the hypothesis is that "it seems that the separation of governance from local affairs in four dimensions: executive, judicial, security and legislative, is the most important priority of spatial distribution of power for governing Tehran in a semi-centralized model." . The research method is quantitative and, according to the purpose, practical and problem-solving type, and library and field methods have been used to collect information. The statistical population of this study includes 44 faculty members in the field of political geography at Tehran universities and senior managers of Tehran Municipality, whose minimum university degree is master's degree and sampling method, snowball and questionnaire measuring tool. The research findings provide the most important priorities of the Tehran city administration based on a semi-centralized approach with a focus on the spatial distribution of power in the legislative, executive, judicial and security dimensions of the metropolis of Tehran.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; Javad Etaat; Hosein Mohammadi; zahra Moussavi
Abstract
Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Since the end of the Second World War, the development paradigm has become the dominant discourse in the world. During the more than 6 decades that the concept of development discourse has been dominant, many theoretical and practical developments have accompanied ...
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Extended Abstract
1. Introduction
Since the end of the Second World War, the development paradigm has become the dominant discourse in the world. During the more than 6 decades that the concept of development discourse has been dominant, many theoretical and practical developments have accompanied it. First, attention was solely paid on economic development and nature was considered as a facilitator of economic growth. However, it was gradually recognized that development with this economic growth approach changes the natural systems of the planet and leads to numerous environmental hazards that can threaten the economic and political systems of countries. Therefore, it is very possible for a political entity to attain the development, but sustained development will be faced with serious doubts because environmental aspects are ignored. Therefore, the concept of sustainable development replaced development.
2. Methodology
Given the above- mentioned approach, this descriptive-analytic research examined the relationship between Development Programs and the environmental problems with Urmia Lake as a case example. To do this, an analytic and explanatory method, the accumulation of data and the existing literature have been adopted to carry out a library and document-based research.
3. Discussion
Urmia Lake, located in the northwestern part of Iran, is one of the salt over-saturated lakes in the world. This lake was introduced as a Biosphere Reserve to UNESCO’s program of Man and the Biosphere and was included in the list of the Wetlands of this Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar-1971). The water level in Urmia Lake was at its highest in 1995 and then, since 1995 up to 2012, it has declined more than seven meters. A review of other studies shows that although climate change and particularly evaporation increment are significant agents in decreasing the water level, the main causes of drying up the lake have been anthropogenic factors. For example, Lak, Darvishi Khatooni and Mohammadi (2011) suggested that although Iran has experienced a long-term drought since 13000 years ago up to now, Urmia Lake has never experienced dryness except in coastal areas and the main part of the lake has had lacustrine environment for 13000 years. On the other hand, according to Jamali, Sharifi, and Pourmand (2013), climate change never affects a single point selectively, and the performance of these changes is always on an extensive scale. The dramatic decrease in the water level of Lake Urmia has not been observed in the neighboring lakes such as the Sevan Lake in Armenia and Lake Van in Turkey. Therefore, the National Development Programs as well as development plans in the Urmia Lake Basin as human factors influencing the current situation and the environmental problems of Lake Urmia have been analyzed in this research. At present there are about 95 dams in the Urmia Lake Basin, 57 of which are operational, nine are under construction, and 29 are in the study phase. Moreover, water utilization has increased very rapidly in the past two decades and has depleted more than 90 percent of the water in the aquifers. The agriculture sector is the most important consumer of the water in this Basin and has experienced remarkable changes during the last three decades. So, The Development Programs have been one of the main reasons for the drying up of the Lake. The consequences resulting from the implementation of Development Plans in the Urmia Lake basin and drying the Lake are mainly the disruption of the biodiversity in the region, increased salinity, soil erosion, pollution of water sources, salt dust, and weather changes in the region that can threaten the sustainability of the development.
4. Conclusion
The analysis of the planning process and Development Programs in Iran shows that the patterns of development in Iran have always been based on economic growth which allows for achieving other economic and social goals. So, environmental resources have been considered as the foundation of national wealth and economic growth facilitator. Development with the economic growth approach has led to numerous environmental problems in the country of which Lake Urmia is an example. Therefore, it is possible for a political entity to attain development, but sustained development will be faced with serious doubts because environmental aspects are ignored.
Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf; Mohammad Hadi Pooyandeh; Mosayeb Gharebigi
Abstract
Extended abstract
1. INTRODUCTION
The term “state” owing to its simultaneous presence in two epistemological and scientific fields named political science and political geography has assumed multiple meanings, applications, natures and synonyms, in a way that it has stirred a kind of chaos and ...
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Extended abstract
1. INTRODUCTION
The term “state” owing to its simultaneous presence in two epistemological and scientific fields named political science and political geography has assumed multiple meanings, applications, natures and synonyms, in a way that it has stirred a kind of chaos and lack of consensus, especially among political geographers. According to various texts, “state” is an abstract entity, intertwined with a selection of notions, values, and thoughts concerning human and spatial issues. Accordingly, the present research tries to analyze the spatial-philosophical aspects of the word “ state” and answer the question as to the reasons why this word has gained varied and sometimes contradictory synonyms and meanings (especially in the fields of political science and political geography in Iran).
2. METHOD
In terms of collecting the data, the present research is a qualitative one, and in terms of its nature is regarded as a foundational research. With respect to the method of processing and interpreting the data, Meta-analysis has been used. Meta-analysis is a collection of methods used to resolve the contradictions created by researches conducted concerning a single topic. Meta-analysis converts the findings of various researches to a joint scale, investigates the relation among research specifics and the findings and finally, proposes an overarching suggestion for converging the studies. The present research, in line with its objective which concerns the investigation of divergences and conceptual, theoretical and semantic contradictions of the term “state” among political geography’s thinkers and theoreticians and its attempt to bring viewpoints, in an overarching manner, together can be categorized as a meta-analysis.
3. DISCUSSION
Every concept in geography, considering the comprehensive and holistic epistemological nature of this science, gains a “comprehensive and universal “feature, where no other rational trajectory neither can nor should be traversed, before unwinding the interwoven elements and components of this twisted skein. Nonetheless, it seems that any attempt to resolve such a conflict would be irrational. The only rational thing remains paying attention to the “spatial, comprehensive, holistic and multiplicity” basis in geographical concepts which stem from its epistemology. It seems that incorporation of spatial, geographical structures and factors such as “ land”, “ country”, “ nation”, “ regime” and “ governance” have paved the way for its plurality of sense and profusion of meaning, to the degree that meanings and concepts of “state” are closer to reality that in addition to structure-agency views, incorporate “spatial” and “holistic geographic” views.
So on the basis of the epistemological feature of geography (to which political geography belongs) the conceptual expansion and long range of inclusiveness in political geography is neither too surprising nor paradoxical. The word “state” contains simultaneous and multifold other meanings such as “ land”, “ government” , “ governance” and “ people” and unless these elements are included and combined in creating a whole, we cannot use the word “state” for it. Thus, only when the biologic and cultural feature specific to humans, i.e. territoriality, adopts a national (concerning a population with a given and fixed identity) and political (a country, when all the elements of the administration, governance, execution and management or government are organized) quality can it represent a word called “state” in the political geography.
4. CONCLUSION
State is an abstract concept, intertwined with a collection of concepts, values, and thoughts regarding human and spatial issues and owing to its simultaneous presence in two disparate epistemological and scientific fields called political science and political geography it has assumed multiple meanings, applications, natures and synonyms. The word state, in its general sense, has a meaning of “condition” and “situation”. This concept, in order to materialize in the fields under discussion, has no other way than to be manifested in its material components. Among the components of “state”, the concepts of nation, regime, and country has been used, many times, interchangeably thus causing multiple meanings for the concept of “state” such as country, regime, administrative, executive branch and etc. The findings of this research indicate that each of these concepts (country, regime and nation), in different situations where the concept of “state” can be situated, can carry its semantic features. For instance, when there is a geographical and territorial understanding of “state” , it comes very close to the concept of “country” and when its administrative-executive aspect is intended, it referrers to the government .So, the profusion of the meanings of “state” is not in contradiction with its main sense. To put it simply, “state” in some situations is synonymous with country and in others with government or political society. This does not damage its abstract and main meaning, since without these components, “state” has no meaning and in order to become materialized and manifest in various situations, it is dependent upon its constituent elements.
