Comparative Study on the Effect of Oil Income on Policy-Making in Bureaucracy Institution (The Periods of 1972 - 1976 and 2004 - 2009)

Iran’s national income has been relied substantially on oil since 1960s. This study examines the state’s policy-making on bureaucracy institution in two varying time periods: 1972–1976 and 2004 –2009. These are two time periods that represent fundamental differences from historical, ideological and structural perspectives. Accordingly, this study examines whether the effects of oil income on state’s policy-making in bureaucracy institution vary across these two time periods. Theoretically, the present study is based on the weak state theory developed by Karl Lynn Terry. It refers to the state’s weak institutional frameworks and the lack of efficient infrastructures established over a long historical time. Methodologically, this study employs the comparative retrospective method and uses the technique of path dependency and the method of agreement table developed by Mill in order to compare research findings.
According to the results of this study, there are almost similar patterns of state’s policy-making on bureaucracy institution in two varying time periods: 1972–1976 and 2004 –2009. Further, the results from a historical perspective indicate that the weak state is the most important factor, while the partial effect of two other factors, including the presence of rentier state and the spectacular increase in oil price, should be also taken into account.