Attitude toward Endogenous Development among the Youth in Ahvaz and Yazd, Iran

Local resources and values have been emphasized in the recent literature on social change and development. In this study, the youth’s attitude are explored toward endogenous development in five dimensions of participation in development process, cultural values, local knowledge, local resources, and local actors.  

Methods and Data: 

The present research is qualitative by nature using a survey design. The research population included 17 to 30 year-old young people in Yazd and Ahvaz, Iran. 554 young people completed a questionnaire. Sample was selected through the multistage random sampling method. The data gathered through the questionnaire was then analysed by SPSS software. 

The results showed that the highest average among the endogenous development dimensions was for respect for cultural values and the lowest average for globalism. The variables of age, sex, education and ethnicity had a significant relationship with attitudes toward endogenous development. The results of multivariate regression test showed that the variables of globalization, age and ethnicity were the most important variables explaining the attitude towards endogenous development. 

The young respondants showed to have accepted the necessity of attention to local resources and values in the process of attatining social and economic development as well as local values and identity. The young respondants have recognized the importance of local and global dimensions of development. They think globally but act locally.  

Key Message: 

The citizens’ attitudes include their subjective and practical orientation toward endogenous development. The increasing awareness about changing world has led to youth’s tendency towards local resources and values.