Analyzing the Impact of Political Culture on De-Evolution of Environmental Movements in Iran

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD candidate in Political Sciences, Majoring in Political sociology, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

2 Assistance Professor of Political Science, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran

10.22080/jsn.2024.5021

Abstract

Extended Abstract
1.         Introduction
Environmental issues were first in the 19th century in the form of international agreements for the management of resources, which attracted the attention of countries in international politics. In the 20th century, several conferences, including the Stockholm and Rio de Janeiro conferences, were formed to establish cooperation between governments to solve environmental problems. Along with governments, other groups, including environmental movements, emerged in the 1960s to put pressure on governments to solve environmental issues in the West, and due to the existence of a democratic political culture, they were able to become a major force in politics in these countries.  In Iran, like in other parts of the world, environmental problems and issues have been the major problems in society and politics.

2.        Research Methodology
 The main goal of this research is to investigate the causes of the non-formation of environmental movements using the theory of political culture. For this purpose, the qualitative analysis method and the descriptive-analytical method were used. In the qualitative research method, the goal is to identify, classify, and extract concepts based on the study of texts or the views of experts. Therefore, the main tools of data collection in the qualitative research method are interviews or library studies. Depending on the type of research, appropriate tools should be used.  

3.        Research Findings
Formation of the environmental movement and institutions in Iran before the revolution
The oldest non-governmental environmental organization in Iran is the people's organization "Zanan Ashkadz" of Yazd, which started its activity in the late 1340s in order to deal with the influx of quicksand with the cooperation of the then government. Another environmental non-governmental organization is the "Animal Protection Society" which was established in the mid-1350s.
After the revolution
After the revolution, Iran's environment faced numerous and serious risks, including air pollution, rapid development, soil and water pollution, rapid population growth, and the destructive effects of the 8-year war with Iraq, and even now, decades of inefficient management based on short-term development policies have added to the severity of this crisis. Although, during the Iran-Iraq war, environmental movements were not allowed to play their part in society, during Muhammad Khatemi’s presidency (1997-2005), non-governmental actors found this chance to start their activity with the aim of making their networks to put pressure on policymakers to pay serious attention to ecological concerns in Iran but by consolidation the power of Islamic Regime, most of them suppressed or had to migrate to other countries because of various reasons but the most matter ones are here. 
A)        Lack of political culture and participatory
The continuous history of tyranny has shaped its role in the national consciousness and has caused people and politicians to view the world of politics as more sentimental, deterministic, and unreliable. On the other hand, the century of foreign interference has made the world consider politics a zero-sum game. This has led to the formation of an absolutist and patrimonial culture in the heart of society and politics, which allowed no institution or group, especially social movements, to use official and unofficial organizations and others to get the necessary resources to advance. This has also strengthened the state-centric and centralist view that tends to control all civil movements and organizations. As a result, environmental organizations and movements will not be allowed to operate independently in such a structure so that they can play a buffer role between the government and society. 
B. Personality-oriented environmental management
 The absence of a culture of participation and the individuality of environmental decisions has led to confusion and uncertainty in environmental management and the lack of institutionalization of organizational functions based on leadership and participation-oriented management. As a result, due to the existence of such a structure and function, non-governmental environmental institutions have no ability to influence government institutions, and it turns them into government propaganda speakers and a tool for the government's legitimacy.
c) Weakness of environmental civil institutions
The specific cultural and political way has fostered a limited-subsidiary political culture that defines the rights and property of individuals based on their proximity to the sphere of power. In such a situation, civil society institutions and civil activists, including environmental groups, will not have a special place and will be considered "nothing" by the prevailing political culture. 
4.       Conclusion
Due to the dominance of limited-subsidiary political culture and semi-participatory power construction, environmental groups cannot be effective as influential groups or political parties; especially with the security of some aspects of the activities of these groups, obstacles have been created in line with their broader activities, and therefore today the environmental movement of Iran is limited to academic and research activities, which can endanger the future of the environment, face inevitability, and cause more environmental crises and most importantly political and social crises in Iran.

Funding
No funding was recieved to asist with the prepearation of this ,anuscript.

Authors’ Contribution
This writing has been done by author himself solely.

Conflict of Interest
No conflict of interest.

Acknowledgment
Thanks all of people, helped me to complete this writing and of course thank for the Journal of Society and the Environment for reviewing my essay.
 

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of Society and the Environment
Volume 1, Issue 2
December 2024
Pages 91-115

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