Justice-oriented and democracy as components of modern governance: An analysis of the managerial character of martyr Ayatollah Raisi

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Qaenat Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaenat, Iran.

2 Department of Educational Sciences, Qaenat Branch, Islamic Azad University, Qaenat, Iran.

10.22103/jogapp.2026.26644.1019

Abstract

Modern governance in contemporary political systems requires more than ever a redefinition of concepts such as justice and people-centeredness in the process of public policy-making. The administrative approach of Martyr Ayatollah Raisi, as a concrete example of executive governance in the Islamic Republic of Iran, offers significant analytical potential for illustrating a justice-oriented and people-centered governance model. The aim of this study is to analyze the components of justice-orientation and people-centeredness in Martyr Ayatollah Raisi’s administrative approach and to examine their role in enhancing the efficiency and legitimacy of public governance.
This research is qualitative and analytical–theoretical. Data were collected through a documentary–library method, including speeches, performance reports, policy documents, and related scholarly sources. Data analysis was conducted using qualitative content analysis in an inductive–interpretive manner to identify and categorize the concepts of justice-orientation and people-centeredness in the administrative approach.
The findings indicate that justice-orientation in Martyr Raisi’s administrative approach functions not only as an ethical value but also as a practical policy-making criterion and a tool for equitable distribution of resources and opportunities. People-centeredness, through direct interaction with citizens, field visits, and responsiveness to public demands, has enhanced accountability, public trust, and governance capacity. The combination of these two components provides an operational model of justice-oriented and people-centered modern governance.
The analysis of Martyr Ayatollah Raisi’s administrative approach suggests that justice-orientation and people-centeredness can serve as both a theoretical and practical framework for improving the efficiency, legitimacy, and effectiveness of public policies in Iran. This model demonstrates how normative values in policy-making can be translated into practical mechanisms, offering a successful example of modern governance.

Highlights

Extended Abstract

Introduction

Modern governance frameworks emphasize the importance of justice and people-centered approaches in public policy. Bridging the gap between normative ideals and practical implementation remains a key challenge in many governance systems (Peters, 2015: 27; Pierre, 2016: 41). In the context of the Islamic Republic of Iran, social justice and responsiveness to citizens are essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of governance. This study focuses on the administrative approach of Ayatollah Raisi, analyzing how justice-oriented and people-centered management principles are reflected in policy-making and public governance.

Methodology

This research adopts a qualitative, analytical-theoretical approach. Data were collected using documentary and library-based methods, including official speeches, performance reports, policy documents, and relevant academic literature. An inductive and interpretive content analysis was applied to extract and categorize concepts related to justice and people-centered governance. Triangulation and alignment with contemporary governance theories were employed to ensure credibility and validity (Creswell, 2018: 176; Bowen, 2009: 33).

Research Findings

Findings indicate that Ayatollah Raisi’s management approach operationalizes justice not only as a moral value but as a practical criterion for policy-making and resource allocation (Rajaei, 2021: 74). People-centered governance is realized through direct interaction with citizens, field visits, and responsiveness to public demands, enhancing legitimacy, public trust, and policy effectiveness (Fung, 2006: 216; Osborne, 2010: 58). The integration of justice and people-centered principles forms a practical governance model, demonstrating that combining normative values with operational mechanisms can strengthen governance capacity and policy impact (Pierre & Peters, 2020: 36; Ansell & Torfing, 2018: 69).

Conclusion

The study highlights that a governance model combining justice orientation and people-centered management can improve effectiveness, legitimacy, and public trust in policy-making. Ayatollah Raisi’s administrative approach provides a conceptual and practical framework that can guide policy-makers and administrators in Iran and similar contexts toward more equitable and participatory governance.

Keywords

Main Subjects


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