A Debate on Decentralization and Governance in Pakistan and Iran through the Lens of Third Positionism

Abstract

In this scholarly investigation, a comparative analysis is focused on the principles espoused by Third Positionists, who advocate for the satisfaction of socio-political and economic rights for every ethnic community within the territory they inhabit within any given state. The study centers on Pakistan and Iran, both of which grapple with diverse ethnic segments asserting varied constitutional or political accommodations within their respective state structures. Examining the federal nature of Pakistan and the unitary structure of Iran, this research scrutinizes the approaches employed by both nations in managing ethnically diverse segments, with an emphasis on fostering multiculturalism and cosmopolitanism to secure contentment among various communities vis-à-vis governance and decentralization initiatives implemented by the central or federal authorities.

Given the global discourse on the dichotomy between federalism and unitarism within the social sciences, this study contributes to the ongoing dialogue by delving into how these systems function in ethnically diverse societies. The examination extends to encompass the ethnonational movements prevalent in both Pakistan and Iran, contextualized within existing constitutional provisions. The study culminates by offering recommendations, drawn from primary sources, to address the nuanced dynamics of governance, decentralization, and ethnonational considerations in these complex sociopolitical landscapes.