Note: “The Role of the People in the Resistance Economy (With Emphasis on the Statements of the Supreme Leader)” is the title of an article written by Professor Ahmad-Ali Yousefi and Mojtaba Ghafari, published in the first issue of the journal Resistance Economy Research. This article presents a modern approach to the popular economy emphasizing the resistance economy approach, which is in fact the localized version of the popular economy in our country. Below is a summary of this article.

Economics is one of the pillars of growth and development for countries. Since the system of the Islamic Republic of Iran is based on religious democracy (mardomsalari-ye dini), and one of the manifestations of democracy is the presence of the people in the country’s economic arena, the people’s presence can play a decisive role in the advancement of the Islamic Revolution. Considering that one of the main foundations of the Islamic Revolution is the thought of the Supreme Leader, the authors in this research seek to understand the role of the people in the economy from his perspective. The organizing themes comprise: 1) Arenas of economic participation of the people; 2) Obstacles to the economic participation of the people; 3) Outcomes of the economic participation of the people; 4) Individual imperatives for the economic participation of the people; and 5) State duties in strengthening the economic participation of the people.

Arenas of Economic Participation of the People

Economics, politics, and culture; major issues of societies fall within one of these three domains; however, economics is one of the most important issues of societies such that cultural, political, and other issues are considered economic issues; hence, realizing the independence and political stability of a country depends on resolving its economic problems. A measured economic decision elevates a country toward grandeur and progress, whereas an unmeasured, uncalculated decision causes failure not only in the economic dimension but across many domains.

The Islamic Republic of Iran, like other countries, in pursuit of its growth and flourishing based on its ideals and values, must make a powerful and impactful economic entry; because the Islamic Revolution of Iran, after centuries, once again placed Islam on the seat of governance (wilayah). Therefore, for its own dynamism—like the capitalist system—and for exporting its governance system, it must design a series of frameworks and strategies in the global arena. Thus, the Supreme Leader, as the standard-bearer of this revolution, placed a step forward for science and content production before scientific and practical strivers (jahadgaran).

The authors noted that the most important point inferred from the Supreme Leader’s statements is the necessity of addressing self-building, society-building, and civilization-building. The governance style of the Islamic Republic system possesses dimensions, components, indicators, and structures that took shape alongside the establishment of the political system upon the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Establishing Islamic governance based on religion with popular acceptability was consistently highlighted and emphasized by the founder of the Revolution. The Supreme Leader considers the socialist system incorrect in the economic sector, believing we have no such thing in Islam. The authors’ inference from the Supreme Leader’s statements is that in the economy of an Islamic society, the presence of the people can prove effective as producer, investor, and consumer. People and popular groups as producers can be present in various formats and thus play a role in the country’s economy. People as investors can, instead of depositing in banks, invest in major national projects.

Theoretical Foundations and Literature Review

The model of religious governance in Iran was realized under the leadership of Imam Khomeini. The Imam succeeded in bridging popular will and divine will, the result of which was religious democracy. This term has been described in recent years by the Supreme Leader, meaning that the popular nature of government signifies assigning a role to the people in governance; that is, the people play a role in administering government, forming government, appointing the ruler, and determining the governmental and political regime.

Popular economy or people-centered economy is an economy in which conscious, voluntary, active, collective, and individual presence proportionate to the ability of all individuals of the nation in all economic arenas of the country across three realms—decision-making, policy formulation, and action—is realized.

The components of a people-centered economic structure comprise: decision-making and popular will, popular investment, and management of economic enterprises.

Propositions Regarding the Role of the People in the Economy in the Statements of the Supreme Leader

Propositions regarding the role of the people in the economy in the Supreme Leader’s statements are divided into several categories:

• First Category: Themes concerning the arenas of economic participation of the people, including investment, consumption of domestic goods, initiative, and innovation.

• Second Category: Themes encompassing obstacles to the economic participation of the people. For the people to play a role in the economic arena, these obstacles must be removed.

• Third Category: Themes regarding the achievements of the people’s economic participation for the country, which represent the positive effects of popular impact in the nation’s economic sphere.

• Fourth Category: Themes relating to individual imperatives for the people’s economic participation; meaning considerations that people must observe to enter and be present in the economic field.

• Fifth Category: Themes enumerating state duties in strengthening the economic participation of the people.

Conclusion

Based on the Supreme Leader’s theory, the arenas of public participation comprise: investment in production and industry, talents and capacities, initiatives, innovations, and creativity. According to the statements of the Supreme Leader, certain obstacles exist along the path of popular presence in the country’s economic arena that must be removed.