Recognising the Concept of Political Excellence in Ayatollah Khamenei's Thought

Development and progress as a complex concept based on a process have various dimensionsand levels usually studied in economic, political, social, and cultural development. Politicaldevelopment is one of the essential dimensions and indicators critical in theories andapproaches to development in schools of thought and political sociology studies. Whiledefining and clarifying the concept of "Political Excellence" and recognising the differencesbetween it and the idea of "Political Development" and introducing the indicators of thisexploratory concept, the present article examines them in terms of content from AyatollahKhamenei's perspective. The main question is about the place of political excellence ideaand progress in Ayatollah Khamenei's political thought. In response, it should be said thatin his view, political excellence will be achieved by considering local conditions anddomestic equipment, which is a new viewpoint and an acceptable model to replace withthe concept of Western political development. Explaining the concept of political excellence,while considering the Western models of development unsuccessful, emphasising theindigenous Iranian-Islamic model of progress, he expressed seven signs and indicatorsfor the desired model of political excellence and improvement, some of which, such asstruggle, the spirit of risk-taking and discipline, the foundations of Islamic epistemologyand attention to the two dimensions of human [body and soul], are the prelude toexcellence and progress, and others, such as ensuring the independence of the country,producing the science and realising the social justice, is the result of excellence andimprovement. In explaining the manifestations of political excellence and progress, healso expresses characteristics of the people such as awareness and insight, participationand presence in scenes and elections, and public monitoring and unity.