Explaining the Relationship between Social Harms and Inter-Institutional Relations in Contemporary Iran and Proposing an Optimal Model

The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between social issues and inter-institutional relations using an analytical method and to propose an optimal model for inter-institutional relations. From this perspective, religion is considered a super-institution, while family, economy, government, education, and law constitute the five main institutions that shape the macro-level relations of the social system. The super-institution of religion occupies the first level, family and education the second level, and economy, law, and government the third level. The relationship between religion at the first level, family and education at the second level, and economy, law, and government at the third level is vertical. However, the relationship between the family and education institutions, as well as the relationship among economy, law, and government, is horizontal. Many social issues and harms stem from structural and institutional disruptions. Therefore, both in studying and understanding these issues and in providing solutions, macro-structural and institutional studies are necessary. Numerous social and cultural issues and extensive social harms in contemporary Iran are rooted in inter-institutional relations, and their resolution will be successful only at this level. Institutional competition and conflict in inter-institutional relations or the dominance of one institution over others in contemporary Iran have been the primary causes of many disorders and crises. The main and overarching solution lies in realizing the optimal model of inter-institutional relations.