نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Introduction
The realization of justice has been one of the most significant aspirations of the Islamic Revolution, pursued through various instruments, including the distribution of support subsidies. In a broad sense, subsidies encompass all support costs and government assistance. While different economic approaches exist regarding subsidy distribution mechanisms, the traditional welfare economics approach views deprivation and poverty primarily as income-based elements. Consequently, the preferred policy in this view is the direct distribution of subsidies to increase the income of the poor. This perspective aligns with the logic of public administration, which is abstract, top-down, and centralized. However, research and experiences in developing countries indicate that poverty is not solely an income issue; rather, it is a multidimensional, complex, and context-based problem. Furthermore, Islamic thought suggests that the primary burden of establishing justice rests on the people. Martyr Sadr, in his theory of social justice, outlines the principle of "Public Takaful" (mutual social responsibility) , which represents the intersection of justice-seeking views and public participation. This principle is considered the best form of intervention for socializing the realization of social justice. Therefore, this study aims to develop a conceptual framework for the role of the people in the fair distribution of subsidies, moving beyond the traditional state-centric models.
Methodology
This research employs a descriptive-analytical approach to examine the conceptual framework of subsidy distribution. Given that the general policies of the Resistance Economy explicitly emphasize the pivotal role of the people in economic processes and the promotion of social justice through targeted subsidies, the study investigates different formats and methods of granting subsidies. The research process involves analyzing two distinct currents: the current of cash and direct payments, and the current of deprivation alleviation through empowerment. The study first reviews the definition and position of subsidies in the economy. It then critically analyzes the "Basic Universal Income" or direct cash payment approach, highlighting its theoretical foundations and practical limitations. Subsequently, the research explores the "Empowerment Approach," which emphasizes public participation. To validate the proposed framework, the study reviews global and domestic models of participatory poverty alleviation, such as the Basic Development Needs (BDN) approach, social funds, and the "Nesha" model of the Alavi Foundation. The study utilizes library research and reviews existing literature in development economics and Islamic economic thought to construct its arguments.
Findings
The research findings indicate significant inefficiencies in the traditional approach of direct income support. This approach, often manifested as Universal Basic Income (UBI), assumes that poverty is homogenous and can be solved simply by distributing cash. However, critics argue that the poor are not a homogenous group, and the causes of poverty vary in direction and intensity. Amartya Sen’s capability approach highlights that poverty is the deprivation of capabilities to live a good life, not merely a lack of income. Empirical evidence suggests that direct cash payments may not result in optimal consumption; for instance, funds intended for nutrition may be spent on non-nutritious items. Furthermore, in cases of addiction or structural uncertainty, cash handouts can lead to the prosperity of undesirable markets rather than welfare improvement. In contrast, the study finds that the government’s centralized, top-down management style lacks the flexibility and local knowledge required to address multidimensional poverty. This failure necessitates a shift toward a participatory model where the "third sector" (people and NGOs) plays a crucial role. The findings highlight seven advantages of the popular sector over the government, including creativity in support methods, flexibility, specialized local knowledge, and higher trust among the people.
The study identifies several successful models of public participation:
Basic Development Needs (BDN): A WHO-designed approach where people identify and prioritize their problems, and the government supports the implementation of solutions. This shifts the people's role from service recipients to active participants.
Combination of Micro-finance and Social Mobilization: This model focuses on organizing the poor and developing their collective capacities before providing financing, moving away from the passive recipient model.
Social Funds: These mechanisms channel resources to small-scale projects managed by local communities, operating with a high degree of independence from bureaucratic procedures.
The "Nesha" Model (Alavi Foundation): This comprehensive plan for regional progress relies on the "Ladder of Participation," aiming for spontaneous public participation. A key structural element is the "Progress Canon," where local trustees facilitate the creation of a participatory progress document rooted in the community’s specific needs.
Discussion and Conclusion
The analysis demonstrates that resolving the issue of multidimensional poverty requires exiting the traditional state management paradigm. Traditional governments, due to their abstract and simplified view, cannot comprehend the complexities of poverty. The "income fetishism" prevalent in mainstream economics, which assumes welfare is solely improved by cash benefits, fails to account for the heterogeneous nature of poverty. The conclusion of this research is that fair distribution of subsidies involves shifting from a "top-down" planning model to a "bottom-up" approach based on public participation. In this framework, subsidies should not be limited to cash but should be distributed through a spectrum of channels—such as schools, mosques, and charities—tailored to the specific type of deprivation. The role of the people must evolve from being passive "clients" of the government to active "agents" in planning, monitoring, and executing deprivation alleviation programs. Ideally, the government should act as a facilitator, leveraging the capacity of social organizations and local communities to ensure accurate targeting and effective support. The implementation of models like the Nesha pattern confirms that institutional designs can successfully engage people in the development process, thereby operationalizing the Islamic principle of Takaful and ensuring a more just and effective distribution of resources. Ultimately, socializing the subsidy system means understanding that support must be local, diverse, and managed by local NGOs to effectively address the multidimensional reality of poverty.
کلیدواژهها English
