ABSTRACT

Iran’s policy response to the COVID-19 pandemic illustrates how countries with pre-existing challenges manage acute crises. Already economically weakened by international sanctions, Iran’s government was forced to consider short-term tradeoffs between public health and social stability in pandemic response, with imminent unemployment and food insecurity used to justify a policy pivot from mitigation to economic continuity. This article investigates the policy responses of Iran’s government during the crucial first months of the pandemic, using data obtained through interviews structured around SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) and interpreted to elicit insights for policy capacity theory and practice. Explanations for Iran’s initially ineffective pandemic response are found to include weakness in economic policy, failure to coordinate public health initiatives, priority of treatment over prevention, insufficient public engagement, and inadequate healthcare facilities. Policy recommendations emerging from the study are comprehensive and coordinated pandemic management efforts, community-based and proactive approaches, targeted economic stimulus, and a clear policy vision for crisis resolution. The discussion integrates policy capacity into explanations and recommendations to illustrate the applied value of the concept in crisis settings characterized by uncertainty and rapid onset.

摘要

伊朗对 COVID-19 大流行的政策反应说明了具有预先存在挑战的国家如何应对严重危机。由于国际制裁已经削弱了经济，伊朗政府被迫在应对大流行病时考虑在公共卫生和社会稳定之间进行短期权衡，迫在眉睫的失业和粮食不安全被用来证明政策从缓解转向经济连续性的合理性。本文使用通过围绕 SWOT 分析（优势、劣势、机会和威胁）构建的访谈获得的数据调查伊朗政府在大流行的关键最初几个月的政策反应，并进行解释以得出对政策能力理论和实践的见解。发现对伊朗最初无效的大流行应对措施的解释包括经济政策薄弱，未能协调公共卫生举措、治疗优先于预防、公众参与不足以及医疗保健设施不足。该研究提出的政策建议包括全面和协调的流行病管理工作、基于社区的积极方法、有针对性的经济刺激以及解决危机的明确政策愿景。讨论将政策能力整合到解释和建议中，以说明该概念在以不确定性和快速发作为特征的危机环境中的应用价值。以社区为基础的积极方法、有针对性的经济刺激措施以及解决危机的明确政策愿景。讨论将政策能力整合到解释和建议中，以说明该概念在以不确定性和快速发作为特征的危机环境中的应用价值。以社区为基础的积极方法、有针对性的经济刺激措施以及解决危机的明确政策愿景。讨论将政策能力整合到解释和建议中，以说明该概念在以不确定性和快速发作为特征的危机环境中的应用价值。