ارزیابی سیاست آزادسازی قیمت‌های انرژی از منظر اخلاق سیاست‌گذاری اقتصادی

Energy pricing policy has consistently been a controversial issue in Iran. However, in light of the consequences of the recent conflict and its potential convergence with the global energy crisis—which intensifies social, political, and economic risks—the necessity of research in this field has become more evident than ever. Adopting a structured critical analysis approach, this study examines energy price liberalization in Iran through the lens of economic policy ethics. The findings indicate that most policy decisions over the last four decades have been primarily rooted in welfare consequentialism and efficiency metrics. By relying solely on cost-benefit calculations and emphasizing Pareto efficiency, this approach overlooks other vital criteria such as individual and public property rights, fair valuation, and public satisfaction. A systematic review and thematic analysis of 141 research articles on energy subsidies reveal that pre-implementation models predominantly highlighted positive outcomes while underestimating negative impacts. Conversely, post-implementation field studies demonstrate that negative consequences were realized while positive outcomes remained negligible. The evaluation reveals three major flaws: first, an exclusive focus on outcomes at the expense of rights and processes; second, the reduction of consequences to mere welfare and efficiency; and third, the prioritization of uncertain long-term goals over certain short-term impacts. Therefore, given the ethical weaknesses, methodological flaws, and data heterogeneity, there is an urgent need to rethink the theoretical foundations and practical approaches of energy policymaking.