Local Council’s competencies and Principles Shaping the Enhanced Performance in I.R. Iran:Case Study on City and Village Islamic Councils

One of the bases for promoting democracy is the existence of sub-national elected collective entities, with representative members which make constructive decisions on the behalf of constituencies, exemplified by local councils.  In I. R. Iran, such institutions have manifested in many forms, most importantly, in forms of City and Village Islamic Councils functioned in all levels and representatively. Drawing on a qualitative content analysis and using library and documentary data, this paper argues that local institutions competencies stipulated by the Constitution may allow for identifying the leading principles shaping the enhanced performance in I.R. Iran. The findings show that identifying such leading principles can open up new research horizons on suggesting some practical solutions and removing the legal and policy obstacles faced by decision-makers.