An Unfolding Dichotomy: Leading Iranian Policy Makers’ Voice on Developments in Science and Technology

Abstract

The term ‘development’ involves an extensive domain of factors, concepts, perceptions and ideas. While not restricted to questions of economy, it engages social, cultural, political and even religious issues. Many have defined development as the sole principle and cause of growth, progress, and prosperity. Nevertheless after more than sixty years of intensive development efforts in the global south, it has certainly not kept up to its promises and as problems of modernization intensify, it is now more than ever crucial to pur- sue alternative perspectives. Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, who has been a leading voice in an effort to establish alternative Islamic perspec- tives of development, has proposed the theory of “takātharī” versus “kawtharī” development. The distinguishing criterion lies in the interpretation of ʿAql as reason and reducing it to modern rational- ity. This paper presents results of qualitative research and analyzes the perceptions of leading Iranian science and technology policy makers towards development in science and technology. Further- more the study examines how these perceptions have been shaped under the country’s unique circumstances of experiencing more than thirty years of severe economic sanctions. The findings show the existence of a strong dichotomy concerning the understanding of the subject ‘development’ among leading science and technol- ogy policy makers that influences how they make decisions about regional and world policies.