Journal of Iranian Social Studies

Abstract The earthquake as a natural phenomenon and disaster, beside physical and financial threats, bring about social and psychological harms which in long-term may cause deep consequences. Considering social and psychological consequences as a strategic and managerial plan is essential in preventing the future harms and damages. Traumas such as shock, severe fear, anger, helplessness, numbness, annoying memories, loss of concentration, are among those that threaten survivors after catastrophic events, especially earthquakes. The study tries to investigate the social and psychological status of people after Sar Pole Zahab earthquake in autumn 2016. Based on research findings through in-depth interviews with qualitative method, stress and severe phobia, claustrophobia, nyctophobia, violence (as psychological traumas) and mistrust, women's social suffering, Begging and robbery (as social Injuries) has increased dramatically.

Abstract Given the complex nature of crisis management, the effective management of the crisis is possible just by cooperation of people, government and non-governmental organizations.  The present study adopts a "community-based risk management approach" and uses a combination of both quantitative (a survey among 12 managers of non-governmental organizations) and qualitative methodologies (45 semi-structured interviews with crisis management officials and experts), in examining the role of NGOs in crisis management in Tehran. The findings show that, NGOs of crisis management in Tehran have poor performance and do not have any place in crisis policies, and to a large extent have been reduced to institutions of charity and training. The reasons for this failure can be explained by various categories such as the lack of specialized staff, the utilitarian intention of managers and members, the lack of vision and specific macro and strategic plan for crisis management, interruption of non-specialist organizations in the area of ​​crisis, state dependence, state distrust to them, the lack of a coherent network and the failure to institutionalize the concept of crisis and disaster. In brief, NGOs, are not effective agents for crisis management and have little effect on the crisis management structure in Tehran.

Abstract The present study seeks to identify the conditions and possibilities for intervention in changing customs policies to recognize and highlight the role of the Porters (Koolbars) in Boarder areas.  Customs policies have affected the life-world of the inhabitants of borderline areas. The basic assumption is that the customs policies have marginalized the inhabitants of borderline areas and Porters (Koolbars). The method used in this research is institutional ethnography. In this regard, we have used purposeful and theoretical sampling for selecting the two kind of data based on individuals and customs documents.
The findings suggest that the borderline Koolbars' (porters) role, position, community, culture and actions should be taken into account in customs policies and practices. Although the formal policies sought to eliminate illegal transformation of goods by Koolbars, they acted in many ways, including the formation of a border council, unofficial and local groups, border guards and civil protests to maintain their way of breadwinning. Therefore, inclusion of their role in customs laws and regulations, the formation of special committees, financial investment, and the provision of welfare services for them could be more beneficial and sustainable.
 
 

Abstract This article seeks to analyze the Kermanshah earthquake as a sign of contemporary Iranian social and political dynamics in shaping or reconstructing the nation-state image. The study shows that the "collective event" of coping with Kermanshah earthquake in the form of a "dramatic event", does not reinforce and rebuild the nation-state image. In addition, distrust of citizens in public donor agencies, and their direct intervention in helping and trusting to the volunteer elites, undermined the image of government efficiency in Iran.
The study enjoyed Critical Discourse Analysis to analyze “participation of celebrities in fundraising”, “independent participation of citizens in earthquake zones” and the “Village of Hope Project”. The results indicate the failure of government to reinforce the nation-state image in the aftermath of the Kermanshah earthquake. The independent participation of a significant number of citizens implies the falling myth of pervasive government and challenge the influence and effectiveness of government in recent years.

Abstract This paper aims to use a dataset gathered after the earthquake in Bam city in 2003 to study one of the most important sociological ideas in the area of disasters. Earthquakes or any other natural disaster take lives of individuals and destroy the morphologic layer of the society including any facilities and physical instruments of the society. The level of damage is dependent on the intensity of the disaster, physical robustness and preparedness of the society. Losing a number of society members have two outcomes: damage to the networks of social relationships and activating the remained part of the social networks for compensation of losses. The damage to the functionality of networks depends on the number of lost members and the subsistence situation of individuals. The quantitative analysis of data shows that the local social networks have helped almost all people and although the survivors were injured, but the process of help was not stopped and this was so significant in return of people to normal life.
 
 

Abstract Despite the increasing prevalence of natural disasters and their effects on different social subsystems, scientific study of these events has been neglected. This study investigates the change of social capital dimensions in the three stages (before, during and after) April 2019 (Farvardin 1398) water flood in Lorestan province. In the present study, Putnam’s theory is used as an analytical framework. The research was conducted by qualitative approach using various techniques of in-depth interview, focus group discussion and field observation. The results show that the dimensions of social capital (awareness, trust and participation) have evolved in different stages of crisis (before, during and after the flood). In the consciousness dimension, society has come to accept the deteriorating effect of human and government in natural disasters, despite their fatalistic perception. On the other hand, the trust of the society has changed from the mistrust gap between the state and the nation to the mistrust between the people and the use of trust-based procedures. In social participation with the entry of external forces and disruption of social arrangements, society has faced people's dependence to the government and a sense of passivity in social participation.