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Objective: This paper aims to examine social welfare discourse in the pried of the reformist government in Iran . To do so we examine the discursive elements of President Khatami’s speeches in the years 1376- 1384. We will try to illuminate and interpret the discourse to find its contextual meanings in their socio-historical situation. This research is applicable and significant since it shows both failures and successes of the social welfare discourses examined. It is also theoretically considerable since it provides a ground for comparison of the similarities and differences of this discourse with its counterparts around the world. Method: This research is methodologically based on Michel Foucault’s and Norman Fairclough’s discourse analysis approaches. In this approach a discourse might be examined in three separate levels including describing, interpreting and explaining. Finding: Our research shows that the Reformist social welfare discourse examined has a very specific and clear orientation. The discourse has a certain notion of justice which is based on providing and promoting equal opportunities and insuring accessibility of all citizens to the opportunities. In addition, the reformist discourse analyzed shows that religion and freedom have major impacts on each other. Furthermore, there are Islamic and legal limits on both issues of religion and freedom. This discourse emphasizes on sustainable and comprehensive development policy. In terms of politics, the discourse analyzed accentuates political participation and promotion of the political parties and groups activities. It also stresses on social security and protection of all citizens based on law and regulations. The reformist discourse emphasize on a complete system of social welfare and justice. As can be seen, the reformist discourse analyzed cannot be categorized and likened to one of the current prevalent social welfare discourses in the world such as the discourses of the liberal democratic, social democratic, neo right liberal and conservative discourse. The reformist discourse is different to those discourses since it has an Islamic nature. Given this religious and Islamic nature, the reformist discourse has a different sense and definition of justice, freedom and other social welfare elements. Results: Our examination shows that the reformist discoursed analyzed is oriented and highlighted comprehensive development, justice with religion and freedom and a humanistic approach to social welfare. The reformist discourse analyzed intended and aspired to change the power relations with full consideration of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Our research demonstrates that the reformist discourse analyzed is a very modern discourse of social welfare since it emphasises human development and considers human forces as the main sources of wealth and power. However, we should mention that the reformist discourse could not attract the attention of the poor and the lower classes though the academics and the elites celebrated it and it was appropriate to meet the needs and necessities of Iranian society.

Keywords: Discourse, Discourse analysis, Social welfare, Reformist era

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