While Iran's economy has traditionally relied on oil revenues, no comprehensive comparative study with Norway in the post-sanctions period (2010–2022) has been conducted to date, examining a three-tier reform framework encompassing structural reforms, institutional governance, and economic diversification. Using comparative analysis and a systematic literature review, this study compares the governance status of Iran and Norway based on key indicators of transparency, accountability, and efficient administration, while elucidating the three-tier reform framework. The findings reveal that Iran's centralized power structure, lack of transparency, and weak oversight institutions have created significant barriers to sustainable development. In contrast, Norway has established long-term growth infrastructure through its Sovereign Wealth Fund, institutional independence, and transparent policies. Additionally, the study highlights how Norway's economic diversification—via investments in non-oil sectors and tax reforms—has reduced oil dependency. Conversely, Iran's economy, hampered by structural challenges and sanctions, has struggled to move away from oil reliance. Based on these results, tailored policy recommendations for Iran are proposed across three levels: (1) structural reforms, such as decentralization and strengthening competitive institutions; (2) institutionalizing good governance through financial transparency and accountability; and (3) economic diversification by developing knowledge-based industries and tax reforms. This framework can assist Iranian policymakers in reducing oil dependency and enhancing governance quality. The study underscores the importance of simultaneous reforms across these tiers to achieve sustainable development and mitigate the resource curse.
khakdaman, M. A., & rahnejat, M. (2025). From Oil Dependency to Good Governance: A Comparative Study of Iran and Norway and a Three-Tier Reform Framework (2010_2022). Applied Researches in "Eghtesad-e-Moghavemati", 2(1), 96-117.
MLA
mohammad ali khakdaman; mitra rahnejat. "From Oil Dependency to Good Governance: A Comparative Study of Iran and Norway and a Three-Tier Reform Framework (2010_2022)", Applied Researches in "Eghtesad-e-Moghavemati", 2, 1, 2025, 96-117.
HARVARD
khakdaman, M. A., rahnejat, M. (2025). 'From Oil Dependency to Good Governance: A Comparative Study of Iran and Norway and a Three-Tier Reform Framework (2010_2022)', Applied Researches in "Eghtesad-e-Moghavemati", 2(1), pp. 96-117.
VANCOUVER
khakdaman, M. A., rahnejat, M. From Oil Dependency to Good Governance: A Comparative Study of Iran and Norway and a Three-Tier Reform Framework (2010_2022). Applied Researches in "Eghtesad-e-Moghavemati", 2025; 2(1): 96-117.
