Development Planning: A Study of Economic Development Strategy in the Fifth Development Plan (1973-1977)

Iran, during the contemporary history and after coming in touch with progresses in the Western world, realized her shortcomings and after a lot of ups and down tried to step in the direction of the development. This attempt which started during Qajar period did not lead to any comprehensive written and planned development until Pahlavi period. In fact the first experience of plan development in Iran dates back to 1948. It was from this year that Mohammad Reza Pahlavi started planned programme for economic development of the country. In this way during his reign (1941-1979) he implemented five plans for economic development of the country. The present article by defining the concept of development and planning in the process of economic development believes that the fifth plan for economic development (1973-1978) took up a strategy (strategy of industrial development and open door policy) for economic development which did not match with political-economic conditions of Iran. The lack of economic programme for the increasing revenue coming from oil during 1970s, neglect of the agriculture sector and developing dependent capitalist system led to migration of population from rural areas to urban area. In this way public dissatisfaction and other repercussions of discontentment grew. These developments prepared the ground for crisis and elimination of the regime in 1979.