Good Governance in the Light of Revelation: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of the Quran

Document Type : Research Article

Author

Associate professor of Political Science at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran

10.22103/jogapp.2026.26484.1010

Abstract

The concept of good governance emerged as a systematic approach in 1979 and has since been supported by scholars and international organizations, including the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Recognizing these elements as human achievements and working towards their application in Iran is crucial for fostering belief in development and good governance. This article aims to identify Islamic principles related to governance. Given the three civilizational layers in Iran—Iranian, Islamic, and Western—the development of a mental model of good governance requires incorporating insights from all three. The article illustrates that the Holy Quran contains elements of good governance. Although several books and articles have explored this topic, the core themes within the Quran have rarely been systematically outlined. A qualitative thematic analysis was used as the research method. Initially, 14 general themes were identified, but some were later removed, leading to the identification of nine principal themes that represent the components of good governance according to the Quran. The findings indicate that the Holy Quran has significant potential in the area of governance, and by leveraging its components, an ideal model of indigenous development can be created. The main themes identified in the Quran include: combating corrupt rulers, reformism, anti-corruption, confronting oppression, ethical orientation, rule of law, justice, financial transparency, and human rights. Each of these themes encompasses numerous concepts and substantial supporting evidence.

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