Oil, Labour and Developmental State: Iran, 1962-1977

The international landscape in the post-WW II era was a period of new political realignments and economic and social reconstruction, chiefly through the agency of developmental states. The paradigm of “developmental states” has been the subject of much controversy. Some critics have argued that the developmental state, by fetishizing or mystifying the role of state, have downplayed and marginalised the contribution of classes in general and labour in particular. By focusing on the economic development in Iran during the period of 1962-1977, this paper will critically assess the extent and validity of the critiques of the developmental state in Iran.