Understanding Ideal Governance in Contrast to Bad ‎Governance: An Examination of the Pharaoh’s ‎Governance Method in the Quran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD Graduate, Pardis Farabi Campus, Qom, Iran. (Corresponding author). ‎forghani87@gmail.com. ‎

2 ‎ ‎. Assistant Professor, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University, ‎Tehran, Iran.‎ vahid.yavary@gmail.com. ‎

3 ‎ ‎. Associate Professor, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University, ‎Tehran, Iran.‎ emami@isu.ac.ir.‎

4 M. A. Graduate, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran‎. saeidiaa@gmail.com.‎

10.22081/jislamicgo.2025.71112.1010

Abstract

The theory of good governance, as one of the latest theories in public administration, is utilized by international organizations as a basis for evaluating developing countries. However, this theory has been subject to various theoretical and practical criticisms. In this study, to develop an Islamic theory of governance, we examined the Quranic discourse on Pharaoh’s governance, aiming to present it as a model of bad governance and, consequently, to clarify the other end of the spectrum—good governance. Using the thematic research method in the Holy Quran, we analyzed related verses, leading to a model that demonstrates how neglecting God, disregarding truth, and pursuing self-interest form the Pharaoh’s governance perspective in relation to God. Corresponding to these, its practices include denial, rebellion, tyranny, corruption, and transgression. Additionally, the claim of lordship and arrogance characterize Pharaoh’s governance approach toward people, manifesting in actions such as oppression, autocracy, injustice, propaganda, and suppression of opposition. Conversely, characteristics such as faith in God, truth-seeking, respect for people, justice, honesty, commitment to obligations, reform, social cohesion, and facilitating societal guidance are identified as features of good governance.

Keywords

References

* The Holy Quran
United Nations Millennium Declaration, Tehran, United Nations Information Center in Tehran, 2004. [In Persian]
Alvani, M., & Alizadeh Sani, M. (2007). An Analysis of the Quality of Good Governance in Iran. Management Studies in Improvement and Transformation, 53, pp. 1-24. [In Persian]
Seyyed Mohseni Bagh Sangani, M. M. (2006). The Civil Service Law in the Light of Good Governance Theory, Master's Thesis, Faculty of Law / Imam Sadiq University. [In Persian]
Tabatabai, M. H. (1995). Tafseer al-Mizan, M. B. Mousavi Hamadani. Qom: Society of Seminary Teachers of Qom, Islamic Publications Office. [In Persian]
Forghani, Y. (2015). Bad Governance Components in the Qur'an: A Case Study of Pharaoh's Governance in the Qur'anic Narrative, Master's Thesis, Faculty of Islamic Knowledge and Management / Imam Sadiq University. [In Persian]
Lesani Fesharaki, M. A., & Moradi Zanjani, H. (2006). Research Methods in the Qur'an, Zanjan: Qalam Mehr. [In Persian]
Latifi, M. (2011). Methodology of Strategic Approaches in Contemplation of the Qur'an: Inductive Approach from Interdisciplinary Research on Islamic Management in Recent Decade, Strategic Management Thought, 5(2), pp. 25-55. [In Persian]
Manourian, A. (2000). From Good Government to Good Governance, Quarterly Journal of Public Administration, 48-49, pp. 9-25. [In Persian]
Naderi, M. M. (2011). Good Governance: An Introduction and Brief Critique, Islam and Management Research, 1(6), pp. 69-93. [In Persian]
Adetual, Victor A.O. (2011). Measuring Democracy and Good Governance in Africa: A Critique of Assumptions and Methods, Nigerian Institute for International Affairs. Available at: www.africaportal.org. 
Grindle, M. (2010). Good Governance: The Inflation of an Idea, HKS Faculty Research Working Paper Series, RWP10-023, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.
Kaufmann, D., Kraay, A., & Zoido-Lobatón, P. (1999). Governance Matters, World Bank Policy Research Paper 2196, pp. 1-61.
Owoye, O., & Bissessar, N. (2014). Bad Governance and Corruption in Africa: Symptoms of Leadership and Institutional Failure. Available at:
www.ameppa.org/upload/Bad%20Governance.pdf.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics