Document Type : Research Article
Author
PhD in History of Islamic Iran, Esfahan university
Abstract
Thereasons for the state of underdevelopment in Iran have been the focus of attention by historians as well as social and political experts throughout the last decades. In particular, Qajar dynasty has been specifically emphasized due to its definite domain and temporal sensitivity. Regarding this, the present research makes an attempt to add to our knowledge some new useful information. The issues emphasized in this research include lack of essential security for capital agglomeration, Iranian attitudes being contrary to collective economic spirit, lack of scientific and technical preparations for managing factories, and shortage of linking roads as infrastructure of economic activities throughout this dynasty. Some of the above-mentioned issues have already been considered in the literature; however, in the present research such issues have been examined through reference to newspapers published during Qajar dynasty, particularly those published abroad which could have deeper scrutiny and freer language.
Capital agglomeration and foundation of companies are the direct productsof secure atmospheres for investment. Such a pre-requisite was not available during Qajar dynasty in Iran. Any type of accumulated capital was threatened by the Qajar rulers as well as bandits. On the other hand, company foundation internally had some other pre-requisites, including collective spirit, which was not adequately found among Iranians of that time framework. In case of any company formation or factory establishment, such companies or factories would face some problems which eventually caused their failure; problems originating in scientific and technical backwardness. Suppose that the companies and factories could pass this stage, and they succeeded in producing any products, there existed no convenient roads for distribution of such products and completing the production cycle. The result was that such internal problems as well as some other external issues (namely the existence of tough competition in the domain of foreign market) inhibited Iranians, during Qajar dynasty, from passing through industrial production stage from that of the traditional one.
Keywords
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