Political Economy of Commodity Smuggling in Iran: The Pathology of Policy Making and Governance Mechanisms

Abstract

This article has been done with the aim of pathology and evaluation of anti-trafficking laws and policies in Iran in a descriptive-analytical method. Since the effective fight against smuggling of goods requires recognizing the causes and contexts of the phenomenon of smuggling of goods as well as the relevant laws and policies and the functioning of the agencies responsible for combating smuggling of goods, the study area of ​​the present study includes Approved laws and policies have been related to books, articles and research. First, approved laws and policies are considered and print and digital (online) sources that are relevant to the discussion are used. The framework of the present study is an institutionalist economics approach through which the role of social, political and economic institutions in determining economic events is examined. The most important question of this research is why, despite repeated revisions in the laws related to smuggling, anti-trafficking policies have not been able to effectively deal with the phenomenon of smuggling? The main argument in response to this question is that insufficient attention to the root cause of smuggling of goods by the legislature to eliminate the phenomenon of smuggling, high import tariffs, lack of transparency in the law, many ambiguities and legislative challenges, are the most important reasons for failure. It is to deal with the phenomenon of smuggling of goods.