Why rural development policies have not contributed to rural development in Iran

ABSTRACT Despite rural development policies (RDP) being changed to facilitate development processes, rural areas still suffer from low development levels in developing countries, including rural Iran after 72 years of development planning experience. This article presents findings from a content analysis of Iran’s rural development policies over the past three decades to explore why RDPs have not contributed to rural development to examine issues and challenges. Results suggest the dominance of top-down, sectorial and centralised rural policymaking, although the government has tried to turn towards integrated spatial, place- and people-based policies. Although RDPs are intended to develop rural areas, results show rural Iran still suffers from low-level development, depopulation, economic and livelihood instability, limited economic opportunities, and low quality-of-life. Such rural conditions are due to factors beyond RDPs.