Study on Rationality of Public Policy Making in Iran; Case Study: Subsidy Reform Act

This article aims to study the rationality of Iranian public policies. Despite achievements in some fields, other aspects of society have been faced with crisis due to such policy making. It means that citizens are faced with policies that are in contrast with those of promised ones in the legislative stage. Considering the difficulties of policies in practical stage, the main question outlined here is as follows; how can we overcome the inefficiencies of the practical application of public policy? Based upon the researchers` points of views, taking some measures such as rationality in legislation stage can minimize the inefficiencies of policy-making in operational stage. A case study was performed to investigate the Subsidy Reform Act using Snellen’s Theory of Four Rationalities (Economic, Political, Legal, and Professional Rationalities) as the theoretical construct in order to consider the importance of the subject in legislation stage and rational measures. Data were collected using field interviews. Qualitative methods were employed to analyze the data. Findings indicate the lack of policy makers` attention to the executive measures during legislation stage.