Investigating the Causes of Incoherence in Deprivation Reduction Policies in Iran and Proposing Solutions for Policy Coherence

Namdar Joybari, MohammadMehdi; Abbasi, Tayebeh; Pourezzat, Ali Asghar; Ahmadi, Hanieh

doi:10.48311/mri.2026.117523.1853

Investigating the Causes of Incoherence in Deprivation Reduction Policies in Iran and Proposing Solutions for Policy Coherence

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

MohammadMehdi Namdar Joybari ¹

Tayebeh Abbasi ²

Ali Asghar Pourezzat ³

Hanieh Ahmadi ⁴

¹ PhD Candidate, Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

² Associate Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

³ Professor, Department of Public Policy and Public Administration, College of Management, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

⁴ PhD Alumnus, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.

10.48311/mri.2026.117523.1853

Abstract

Deprivation, defined as the lack of access to resources to meet basic needs, is one of the persistent challenges of contemporary societies, intertwined with economic, social, and cultural dimensions, and structural and environmental factors contribute to its perpetuation. In Iran, despite extensive efforts in deprivation reduction, evidence indicates that policies in this area have not enjoyed adequate efficiency and effectiveness. This study aims to analyze the coherence of deprivation reduction policies in Iran and propose solutions for its improvement within the framework of public policymaking. The research employs a qualitative approach, combining two strategies: content analysis and thematic analysis. In the content analysis phase, relevant legal and policy documents from 1948 to 2024 were examined using Behardaj's model and four key indicators (institutional multiplicity, coverage of deprivation dimensions, legal contradictions, and alignment with higher-level documents). In the thematic analysis phase, data from semi-structured interviews with 15 experts in policymaking and deprivation reduction were analyzed based on Braun and Clarke's (2006) model. Findings reveal that deprivation reduction policies in Iran lack sufficient structural and functional coherence, with this incoherence identifiable at three levels: horizontal, vertical, and internal. Based on the results, policy solutions such as designating a single responsible institution, establishing a comprehensive database, redesigning the resource allocation system, and revising laws have been proposed. By emphasizing the necessity of enhancing coherence in deprivation reduction policies, this study provides an operational framework for improving the quality of policymaking and increasing the effectiveness of government interventions in this area.

Keywords

Deprivation Reduction

Public Policymaking

Policy Coherence

Qualitative Content Analysis

[۱] Raghfar, H., Kordbacheh, H., & Pakniat, M. (2012). Poverty Traps in Iran's Natural Resource-Dependent Economy. Journal of Economic Research (Pazhuheshname-ye Eghtesadi), 12(45), 143-171. [In Persian]
[۲] Raeit Pisheh, S., Ahmadi Kahnali, R., & Abbasnejad, T. (2016). Applying the Meta-Synthesis Qualitative Approach to Present a Comprehensive Model for Supply Chain Sustainability Assessment. Modern Research in Decision Making, 1(1), 139-166. [In Persian]
[۳] Mirpanji, S. M. M. (2025). Identifying Deprived Areas (2): A History of Studies on Identifying Deprived Areas in Iran. Monthly Expert Reports of the Research Center of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, 33(8), e21123. doi: 10.22034/report.mrc.2025.1404.33.8.21123 [In Persian]
[۴] Karami, F. (2022). Analysis of the 2022 national budget bill (No. 44): Deprivation alleviation sector. Center for Parliamentary Research, Islamic Consultative Assembly. https://sid.ir/paper/1048630/fa [In Persian]
[۵] Center for Parliamentary Research. (2021). Poverty status and characteristics of the poor in the past decade (1390s). Economic Studies Group (Macro and Modeling). Islamic Consultative Assembly. https://report.mrc.ir/article_9437_931f8c2a82dad5ba7f2b698345b424d0.pdf [In Persian]
[۶] Heidari, R., & Farajollahi, M. (2010). Introducing a new index for assessing urban deprivation to develop supportive programs aligned with subsidy targeting. Urban Economics, (8), 1–20. https://www.ensani.ir/fa/article/244088 [In Persian]
[۷] Guerrero, O. A., & Castañeda Ramos, G. (2018). Quantifying the Coherence of Development Policy Priorities. arXiv:1902.00430. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1902.00430
[۸] Abbasi, T. and Ahmadi, H. (2017). Developing a Model to Measure the Cohesion of Policies in the Science, Research and Technology Area in Iran. Iranian Journal of Public Policy, 3(2), 117-133. doi: 10.22059/ppolicy.2017.62832 [In Persian]
[۹] Mohammadpour, A. (2010). Quality assessment in qualitative research: Principles and strategies for validation and generalizability. Social Sciences Quarterly, 17(48), 73-107. doi: 10.22054/qjss.2010.874 [In Persian]
[۱۰] Rezvani, B., Salmani, M., & Qarni Arani, Z. (2011). Analysis of factors affecting the participatory pattern of rural development, case study: Hablehroud watershed. Human Geography Research, 42(69), 67–86. https://www.ensani.ir/fa/article/260876 [In Persian]
[۱۱] Chambers, R., & Conway, G. (1991). Sustainable rural livelihoods: Practical concepts for the 21st century (IDS Discussion Paper No. 296). Institute of Development Studies. https://opendocs.ids.ac.uk/articles/report/Sustainable_rural_livelihoods_practical_concepts_for_the_21st_century/26473510/1?file=48232906
[۱۲] Soja, E. W. (2010). Seeking Spatial Justice. University of Minnesota Press. ISBN: 1452915288
[۱۳] Firoozabadi, A., & Shahi, K. (2022). Deprivation alleviation in the school of Imam Ali (AS). Paper presented at the National Conference on Management and Entrepreneurship in the School of Martyr Haj Qasem Soleimani (Focus on Deprivation Alleviation in Jazmou Region). SID. https://sid.ir/paper/1065216/fa [In Persian]
[۱۴] Schady, N., Fiszbein, A., Ferreira, F. H. G., Keleher, N., Grosh, M., Olinto, P., & Skoufias, E. (2009). Conditional Cash Transfers: Reducing Present and Future Poverty. World Bank Policy Research Report. http://hdl.handle.net/10986/2597
[۱۵] Sen, A. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford University Press. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/development-as-freedom-9780192893307
[۱۶] Salari, A., Zayandehroudi, M., & Jalaee, S. A. (2024). Analytical Investigation of Multidimensional Poverty in Urban and Rural Areas. Geography and Regional Planning, 14(1), 1-14. doi: 10.22034/jgeoq.2024.332324.3596 [In Persian]
[۱۷] United Nations. (1998). Statement of commitment for action to eradicate poverty (ECOSOC/5759). https://press.un.org/en/1998/19980520.eco5759.html
[۱۸] Platjouw, F. M., Trubbach, S., Friedrich, L., Sander, G., Boteler, B., Passarello, C., & Kyrönviita, J. (2025). Handbook on Policy Coherence – An easy guide to assess and understand policy coherence. CrossGov Deliverable 4.2. doi: 10.5281/zenodo.15551116
[۱۹] UNDP (United Nations Development Programme). (2023). 2023 Global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): Unstacking global poverty: Data for high impact action. New York.
[۲۰] OECD (2019). Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development 2019: Empowering People and Ensuring Inclusiveness and Equality. OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/a90f851f-en.
[۲۱] Mohammadi, E., Azar, A., Gholipour, R., Alvani, S. M., & Komijani, A. (2021). Designing a Comprehensive Model of Privatization and Divestiture of State-Owned Enterprises in Iran with a Policy-Making Approach... (e40). Management Research in Iran, 15(4), e40. [In Persian]
[۲۲] Danaeifard, H., Saghafi, E., & Mashbaki, A. (2021). Public Policy Implementation: Investigating the Role of Rationality in the Policy Formulation Stage. Management Research in Iran, 14(4), 79-106. [In Persian]
[۲۳] Maile, S. (2008). Policy coherence: Meanings, concepts and frameworks. In S. Maile (Ed.), Education and poverty reduction strategies: Issues of policy coherence (pp. 1–18). HSRC Press. http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11910/5183
[۲۴] OECD (2023). Driving Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development: Accelerating Progress on the SDGs. OECD Publishing, Paris. https://doi.org/10.1787/a6cb4aa1-en.
[۲۵] Huttunen, S., Kivimaa, P., & Virkamäki, V. (2014). The need for policy coherence to trigger a transition to biogas production. Environmental Innovation and Societal Transitions, 12, 14-30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2014.04.002
[۲۶] Ashoff, G. (2005). Enhancing policy coherence for development... (No. 11). Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik. https://www.die-gdi.de/uploads/media/Studies_11.pdf
[۲۷] Azizi, M., Azar, A., & Dehghan Nayeri, M. (2020). Participatory Decision-Making in the Post-COVID-19 Era. Modern Research in Decision Making, 5(2), 165-192. [In Persian]