Global Political Economy and Foreign Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Professor, Department of Political Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Ph.D., Department of Political Science, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22054/jrgr.2024.75690.1055

Abstract

Regarding to the International System evolutions, Recognition and Understanding of the Relationship Between Global Political Economy and Foreign Policy of Iran Has Become More Important. Despite the Numerous Studies Which Have Been Done in This Field, but considering the Widespread Evolutions, it is important the Explanation of the interactive and circular Relationship between these two categories, as well as the impact of the global structure of production on the Iran’s foreign policy. From this Perspective, It Seems That Cox 's Opinions Are Appropriate for Understanding these Evolutions and the Relation Between These Categories. The Present Essay, while assuming the relationship between global political economy and the foreign policy of Iran, Raises This Key Question of What Effect Does Global Political Economy on the functioning of Foreign Policy of Iran?
According to Cox's opinions, the Global Political Economy by creating the global chain of value production, and based on Iran's position in the global production structure, with its impact on the economic system and the configuration of the state, has had a fundamental impact on the foreign policy action in Iran, and has always met the requirements has imposed on. From this point of view, the foreign policy which interacts with domestic socio-economic structures on the one hand, and interacts with the world system on the other hand, is strongly influenced by the global political economy, which has created a global production structure. Hence, the Purpose of this Paper is to study and Explain How the Global Political Economy Affects the Foreign Policy in Iran, So, it Forms an Exploratory Research Based On a Critical Methodological Approach and a Reproductive Strategy.
in this framework, we tried to study and explain the relationship between the global political economy and foreign policy of Iran, by using the Cox's critical approach and recognizing the dominance and hegemony in the political economy of the world. Based on the findings of the research, the global political economy has always imposed requirements on Iran based on the needs of the global production structure and Iran's position in the global chain of value production, which has led to extensive changes in Iran's foreign policy action. In other words, in order to reproduce the economic system and secure the interests and benefits of the dominant classes, the state has been influenced by the global political economy and has continuously adjusted and directed its actions, especially the foreign policy, in order to respond to global requirements.
turning to the discussions and as a result of the changes in the global political economy, a global production structure and in other words, a global value production chain has been formed in which all countries have a certain place. In addition, Iran is located in another special infrastructure named the global oil production network, which has created special requirements for it. Thus, Iran has been defined as a major producer of energy and a consumer of consumer products in the global structure of production. The process of globalization as the dominant trend of global political economy has led to a new formulation of interactions between governmental and non-governmental actors at different levels and fields. By increasing interdependence, the importance of interactive actions and the functionalization of diplomacy in the field of economy, has made necessary coordination and adaptation with global economic trends and has led to changes in foreign policy strategies and tools. Therefore, Iran's foreign policy, while accepting the established order and global political economy trends, and understanding the importance of economic variables in foreign policy, non-governmental actors, competitiveness and international trade, with changes in its tools and policies, is trying to adopt an active and dynamic and development oriented foreign policy, in line with global trends.
Although it seems that despite of cooperation and coordination of Iran's foreign policy with global trends, due to the lack of accurate understanding of global Evolutions, foreign policy action has not been able to adapt to the global political economy. This issue has led to the deepening of Iran's position in the global production structure and can confront Iran with several crises. In the meantime, no specific action has been taken by Iran to change this position. This problem is partly caused by the needs of the government, the ideology ruling the system and the interests and tendencies of the dominant productive social forces in Iran, and partly caused by the unwillingness of the dominant forces in the global political economy (especially the West) to structural changes in Iran, Therefore, they have prevented the possibility and opportunity of structural changes in Iran with different methods. As a result, Iran has almost been excluded from the process of globalization. Hence, Iran's position will be in more danger if it does not pay attention to the requirements of global structures. Therefore, it is necessary to adopt appropriate policies, while responding to global requirements, to stabilize and improve Iran's position.

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