Globalization and Cultural Policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Due to the changes globalization creates in different economic, political, social and cultural levels, it also creates some limitations for the cultural policies of the countries, but also creates some opportunities. The role of governments in cultural policymaking and their inclination to preserve, promote and consolidate their national culture has been influenced by globalization, causing the persuasion of a kind of cultural policy based on diversity with emphasis on local and transnational features. The national sensitivities regarding cultural policies of the countries have been diminished in certain cases and cultural control – Production, distribution, and consumption of commodities and products – has become an inaccessible aspiration. The persuasion of cultural policies in most cases has been unsuccessful and many of cultural activities have become commercial. However, globalization has seriously challenged the context (national territory), the content (national elements and principles) and the planner and executor (government) of cultural policies. Under the circumstances, the cultural policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran too have undergone some changes over the past few years. The present paper is an attempt to study the impacts of globalization on the cultural policies of Iran.