نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
عنوان مقاله English
نویسنده English
Introduction
The popularization of the economy is considered one of the most vital dimensions of the Resistance Economy. Clause one of the Resistance Economy policies explicitly emphasizes the necessity of providing conditions to activate all financial, human, and scientific resources of the country to foster entrepreneurship and maximize the participation of all segments of society in economic activities by facilitating collective cooperation and emphasizing the enhancement of income and the role of low- and middle-income classes. What this article seeks to explore is the role and position of consumption within the popularization of the economy. In fact, alongside other pillars of the Resistance Economy, consumption appears to play a key and fundamental role. Specifically, Clause eight of the Resistance Economy policies mandates consumption management, with an emphasis on implementing general policies for reforming consumption patterns and promoting the use of domestic goods, alongside planning to enhance production quality and competitiveness. Furthermore, in the meeting to delineate the general policies of the Resistance Economy, the Supreme Leader identified the reform of consumption patterns as one of the ten essential components of these policies, noting that flaws in consumption patterns, alongside certain defective economic structures, are among the primary drivers behind the formulation of these policies. Unfortunately, despite the immense importance of consumption in shaping the micro and macro dimensions of the economy for individuals, families, neighborhoods, cities, and society, many of its facets have been neglected and have not undergone rigorous scientific and expert scrutiny. In other words, the subject of consumption is a "deceptively simple" matter; because individuals perceive it as a necessity for their daily lives and livelihoods, they often overlook its inherent quality and its antecedent and subsequent consequences. Consequently, the academic spectrum, as well as seminary and religious scholars, have not focused sufficiently on this area. One dimension of consumption that has seldom been addressed in Persian literature is the "popular" quality of individual consumption patterns and the role consumption can play in making the economy people-centric, as well as the risks that neglecting consumption may pose to the Resistance Economy and the people-centered economy. Given the country's current situation—where the public is under international pressure due to unjust sanctions and challenges arising from defective and corrupt economic structures—it must be acknowledged that through proper consumption management at the individual, family, and macro-societal levels, the economy can be made resilient. Our focus is on the macro level: that through correct and popular consumption, the economy can achieve resilience.
Methodology
The novelty of this research lies in addressing the correlation between consumption patterns and the "popularization of the economy" within the realms of conventional economic and sociological literature, Islamic economic doctrines, and the country's top-level regulations—an intersection that has remained largely neglected. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical methodology and drawing upon relevant scientific works from Islamic, Western, and Eastern traditions, this article first defines the fundamental concepts of the study. It then examines the role and position of consumption patterns in the process of economic popularization across three domains: the field of economic science and its various interpretations, the policies of the "Resistance Economy," and the national framework of issues. Subsequently, the article delineates the characteristics of a "popular consumption pattern" and identifies the most critical mechanisms for achieving its popularization. Finally, the study concludes that, contrary to communist perspectives, a popular consumption pattern does not advocate for a uniform consumption basket for all. Conversely, by employing price-based (as opposed to price-fixing/administered pricing) and non-price mechanisms, it does not permit unrestrained consumption patterns, unlike the principle of formal freedom and the apparent "consumer sovereignty" characteristic of the capitalist system.
Findings
The findings of this study indicate that to achieve a people-centered and resilient economic model, consumption patterns must inevitably be correspondingly people-centered and sustainable. To this end, the author argues that the characteristics of a sustainable and resilient consumption pattern must be defined, and policies must be enacted to pave the way toward achieving them. Drawing upon the ideas and foundations of the Resistance Economy as rooted in Islamic sources, it can be concluded that for a consumption pattern to become resilient and people-centered, it must embody specific characteristics: universal, sustainable, equitable, aligned with individual status, balanced, and, ultimately, focused on consuming domestic products. Achieving this requires comprehensive and correct policymaking; otherwise, even if other dimensions of the Resistance Economy—such as production, investment, and growth—become resilient, a sustainable, people-centered economy remains unattainable.
Discussion and Conclusion
Introduction
The popularization of the economy is considered one of the most vital dimensions of the Resistance Economy. Clause one of the Resistance Economy policies explicitly emphasizes the necessity of providing conditions to activate all financial, human, and scientific resources of the country to foster entrepreneurship and maximize the participation of all segments of society in economic activities by facilitating collective cooperation and emphasizing the enhancement of income and the role of low- and middle-income classes. What this article seeks to explore is the role and position of consumption within the popularization of the economy. In fact, alongside other pillars of the Resistance Economy, consumption appears to play a key and fundamental role. Specifically, Clause eight of the Resistance Economy policies mandates consumption management, with an emphasis on implementing general policies for reforming consumption patterns and promoting the use of domestic goods, alongside planning to enhance production quality and competitiveness. Furthermore, in the meeting to delineate the general policies of the Resistance Economy, the Supreme Leader identified the reform of consumption patterns as one of the ten essential components of these policies, noting that flaws in consumption patterns, alongside certain defective economic structures, are among the primary drivers behind the formulation of these policies. Unfortunately, despite the immense importance of consumption in shaping the micro and macro dimensions of the economy for individuals, families, neighborhoods, cities, and society, many of its facets have been neglected and have not undergone rigorous scientific and expert scrutiny. In other words, the subject of consumption is a "deceptively simple" matter; because individuals perceive it as a necessity for their daily lives and livelihoods, they often overlook its inherent quality and its antecedent and subsequent consequences. Consequently, the academic spectrum, as well as seminary and religious scholars, have not focused sufficiently on this area. One dimension of consumption that has seldom been addressed in Persian literature is the "popular" quality of individual consumption patterns and the role consumption can play in making the economy people-centric, as well as the risks that neglecting consumption may pose to the Resistance Economy and the people-centered economy. Given the country's current situation—where the public is under international pressure due to unjust sanctions and challenges arising from defective and corrupt economic structures—it must be acknowledged that through proper consumption management at the individual, family, and macro-societal levels, the economy can be made resilient. Our focus is on the macro level: that through correct and popular consumption, the economy can achieve resilience.
Methodology
The novelty of this research lies in addressing the correlation between consumption patterns and the "popularization of the economy" within the realms of conventional economic and sociological literature, Islamic economic doctrines, and the country's top-level regulations—an intersection that has remained largely neglected. Utilizing a descriptive-analytical methodology and drawing upon relevant scientific works from Islamic, Western, and Eastern traditions, this article first defines the fundamental concepts of the study. It then examines the role and position of consumption patterns in the process of economic popularization across three domains: the field of economic science and its various interpretations, the policies of the "Resistance Economy," and the national framework of issues. Subsequently, the article delineates the characteristics of a "popular consumption pattern" and identifies the most critical mechanisms for achieving its popularization. Finally, the study concludes that, contrary to communist perspectives, a popular consumption pattern does not advocate for a uniform consumption basket for all. Conversely, by employing price-based (as opposed to price-fixing/administered pricing) and non-price mechanisms, it does not permit unrestrained consumption patterns, unlike the principle of formal freedom and the apparent "consumer sovereignty" characteristic of the capitalist system.
Findings
The findings of this study indicate that to achieve a people-centered and resilient economic model, consumption patterns must inevitably be correspondingly people-centered and sustainable. To this end, the author argues that the characteristics of a sustainable and resilient consumption pattern must be defined, and policies must be enacted to pave the way toward achieving them. Drawing upon the ideas and foundations of the Resistance Economy as rooted in Islamic sources, it can be concluded that for a consumption pattern to become resilient and people-centered, it must embody specific characteristics: universal, sustainable, equitable, aligned with individual status, balanced, and, ultimately, focused on consuming domestic products. Achieving this requires comprehensive and correct policymaking; otherwise, even if other dimensions of the Resistance Economy—such as production, investment, and growth—become resilient, a sustainable, people-centered economy remains unattainable.
Discussion and Conclusion
In this research, we first examined the role and status of consumption in the economy, and subsequently, its place within the policies of the "Resistance Economy" and the country's macroeconomic map. We concluded that to strengthen and support national production—the cornerstone of a people-based Resistance Economy—consumption patterns must be guided and reformed in alignment with these objectives. In fact, neglecting or underestimating policies for reforming consumption patterns and merely leaving everything to market mechanisms, supply and demand, and public whims cannot lead to a healthy, sustainable, and people-centered economy. In this regard, both restrictive and constructive policies were proposed. The common thread among these policies is that, firstly, by reforming erroneous consumption habits and guiding people toward equitable consumption that aligns with their actual needs and status, they contribute to the "democratization" of the economy (making it people-based). Secondly, by refining demand and guiding consumption, the resource allocation model becomes optimized, preventing waste or extravagance. Instead, resources are directed toward essential goods and products rather than luxury, ostentatious, or wasteful consumption, thereby significantly aiding economic growth, stability, and resilience. Examples of such policies include taxing or imposing penalties on the consumption of luxury goods, eradicating absolute poverty through government collaboration with the third sector, granting subsidies or tax incentives tailored to the status and needs of individuals and families to reduce class gaps and create a balanced standard of living, and imposing penalties on the consumption of foreign goods that have domestic equivalents or are considered luxury.
کلیدواژهها English
