Historical institutionalism: a framework for examining the factors affecting the growth and development of technocracy in Iran

Document Type : مقالات علمی پژوهشی

Authors
Zahra Alizadeh Birjandi 1
Somayeh Poursoltani 2
1 Associate Professor, University of Birjand
2 Editor of Journal of Cultural and Social Studies of Khorasan
10.48311/jhs.2026.104766.0
Abstract
Technocracy is a model of governance that emerged in industrial societies as science and technology gained importance; in this government system, individuals with scientific and technical expertise take charge of the administration of society. In Iran during the Pahlavi era, industrialization policies also paved the way for technocrats to enter political positions.Accordingly, this article, with a descriptive-analytical approach and relying on the foundations of historical institutionalism theory, is dedicated to explaining the agency of institutions and effective actors in the process of formation and growth of technocracy in Iran. The research findings indicate the decisive role of the Shah and the centralist policies of the government in guiding the development and providing the basis for technocracy.The middle levels, focusing on official institutions, are the place where macro policies and laws are transformed into programs and actions taken in the field of industry and economy, and micro-level actors, including politicians, managers, and entrepreneurs, have played a decisive role in establishing industrial organizations, launching production units, training technicians, and employing them in factories and industrial organizations.
Keywords
Technocracy
technocrats
historical institutionalism
Pahlavi
Subjects
historical sociology
Volume 16, Issue 2
October 2025