Why Do Development Plans Remain on Paper? | Sadegh Alhosseini's Account of the Conditions for Successful Reform

At the unveiling of the book 'Critical Mass,' Sadegh Alhosseini said that knowing the right policies is not sufficient for development, and he stressed the role of power relations and stakeholders' interests in implementing reforms. In his view, overcoming a crisis successfully requires a clear plan, a driving team and social credibility.

According to Ambassador Arjan, the unveiling ceremony of the book "Critical Crime" written by Sadegh Al-Hosseini was held in Kitab Markazi city. In the introduction of his book, this economist examined the experience of countries, the role of power relations in the choice of economic policies, and the conditions that turn a crisis into an opportunity for reforms.

Al-Hosseini said: This work of about 500 pages tries to explain how to transition to development by examining the experience of 16 countries and relying on a specific theoretical framework. According to him, the central question of the book is to know the path of change. Why do countries with similar facilities and initial conditions find different economic fates?

development; Knowing the route instead of describing the destination

This economist began his speech by criticizing the literature that introduces the indicators of developed countries, but does not explain enough how to reach them. He said: Many works of development are more like "photos" than "films"; They show the current situation and the optimal conditions, but they do not clarify the process of movement between the two.

From his point of view, recommending economic growth, reducing poverty or improving education without explaining the mechanism of their realization is not the answer to the development problem. Even knowing the right policies is not enough; A more important question is why some countries implement these policies and others, despite being aware of them, refrain from changing.

Al-Husaini criticized the explanations based on geography, culture, dependency and developmentalist government from this angle. According to him, the theory that considers an efficient government as the factor of development should explain how such a government is formed and why it is possible to change at a certain point.

Al-Hosseini introduced the theoretical framework of the book based on the thought of Douglas North and said: the fundamental problem of societies is how to curb violence. In explaining the "limited access order", he explained that groups with effective power form a coalition to govern society by dividing resources and economic privileges among themselves.

He called this group "dominant coalition" and counted the rich, bureaucrats, military and influential intellectuals as its components. According to al-Hosseini, the limited access to political power and economic opportunities helps to maintain this coalition.

From this point of view, rent is linked to power relations and its removal is met with resistance by stakeholders. Al-Hosseini emphasized that in order to understand the reforms, it is necessary to examine the change of interests and relationships between these groups; Because the economic policy is chosen and implemented in such a context.

Why do countries go in different directions?

This economist introduced the comparison of Poland and Ukraine as one of the examples of the book; According to him, the two countries, despite their geographical proximity and some initial similarities, have followed different paths in development. He also saw the comparison of China and Egypt as a way to examine the difference between civilizational background and the ability to create economic change.

Referring to the experience of Germany, India and Vietnam, Al-Hosseini said: focusing on the list of implemented policies does not provide a complete picture without examining the political economy of changes. According to him, it is necessary to see what conditions made the adoption of reforms possible and what forces promoted its implementation.

Shock therapy or gradual reforms?

Al-Hosseini expressed his opposition to absolute judgment about shock therapy and gradualism. According to this economist, none of these two methods can be considered good or bad independently of the countries' conditions, and the experience of Russia and China should be examined in the context of their different limitations.

He described the development as a difficult and costly process and emphasized that the desired result does not mean that the path is easy. From Al-Hosseini's point of view, the implementation of liberalization policies will not necessarily solve the problems without providing political and social conditions.

critical crime; Prepare for the moment of change

Al-Hosseini pointed out that the crisis can make it difficult to continue the status quo, but the success of reforms depends on the preparation before that. He listed a clear plan, a leading team and social credibility as necessary components to use the opportunity for change.

In the section related to Iran, this economist proposed to publicize the benefits of energy, currency and land and remove license rent.

He also explained the "Nowruz strategy" with the expression "hopeful patience"; Maintaining hope and being ready to go through difficult situations, so that the opportunity for reform is not lost when the conditions are met.