Sociological View to the Concept of Environmental Regulation in the Light of Principles 8 and 50 of the Constitution of Iran

Since the environment is the biological foundation of humans and other living beings, it is of fundamental and undeniable importance; But despite this position, global industrial and technological development, especially in the last two centuries, has caused unwanted and often unpleasant changes and environmental destruction in many parts of the world. Therefore, many governments are forced to regulate directly and indirectly in the field of environmental protection and improvement. In Iran, by applying legal regulations, the government is trying to solve environmental problems and challenges and at least prevent its destruction and erosion as a social problem; As Article 50 of the Iranian Constitution also emphasizes on environmental regulation. Using the descriptive and analytical method and with a sociological point of view, the following article examines the way of environmental regulation in the light of Article 8 and 50 of the Constitution. The findings of the current research show that by taking advantage of the capacities of the existing law, a combined approach should be adopted that takes advantage of the benefits and efficiency of other regulatory methods to compensate for the shortcomings and fill the gaps of a single approach.
Keyword: Sociology, Regulation, Environment, Principle8, Principle 50
Introduction
In its current state, the environment is facing serious threats such as climate change, weather pollution, species extinction, biodiversity loss, and irresponsible exploitation of irreversible natural resources. The consequences of these threats will not only affect the lives of humans and other living beings today, but will continue for generations to come, and the consequences of any decision to deal with it will be felt for a long time; Therefore, as a result of the unbreakable and tight connection of the environment with a set of factors and conditions on which the life and durability of living beings depend, there is an urgent need for a precise definition of environmental rights and a set of rules and regulations that regulate the relationship between humans and the environment. and monitor it. Such rules help preserve the environment and natural resources, prevent their further damage and destruction, and maintain the balance between humans and the environment.
Materials & Methods
Using the descriptive and analytical method and with a sociological point of view, the following article examines the way of environmental regulation in the light of Article 8 and 50 of the Constitution.
Discussion
Although there are various definitions of regulation, these definitions can be categorized into three levels: centralized, middle, and decentralized. At the first level, the conventional definition of regulation is as a tool for "command and control" implemented by bureaucratic institutions. At the second or middle level, regulation consists of standards, rules, and after that, monitoring and feedback mechanisms and finally the implementation of these rules. At the third level, there is a decentralized regulatory approach or a community-oriented approach; According to this approach, regulation refers to the process of creating and implementing rules and behavioral standards that promote the welfare and safety of society as a whole. In general, regulation can be defined as follows; Regulation means the application of rules and regulations based on certain criteria and its purpose is to influence and regulate behavior, the flow of affairs or events. This activity can be done by the public and private sectors with the participation of stakeholders in the economic and social fields in order to provide benefits, good and public welfare. The purpose of this activity is to ensure optimal production, distribution of goods and services, and social support. The implementation of regulation and its supervision is the responsibility of the regulator or interested participants. There are several approaches to legal regulation in the field of environment and different countries may adopt different approaches based on their legal traditions, political and social values and economic conditions. In general, the main regulatory approaches in the field of environment can be considered as command and control-based regulatory approach, market-oriented regulation, voluntary regulation and cooperative regulation.
Result
In the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in addition to Article 50, Article 8 can also be considered. The eighth principle of the constitution considers calling for good, enjoining what is good and forbidding what is bad to be everyone's duty, and it is the responsibility of the people and the government to do it. If we consider environmental protection as an example of good and well-known, we will notice the issuance of implicit permission of the constitution in the use of a hybrid approach of regulation in the field of environment. Article 4 of the Executive Regulations on the Establishment and Activities of Non-Governmental Organizations and Note 2 of Article 16 of the Law on Amendments to the Law on Organizations and Procedures of the Court of Administrative Justice has created the capacity for environmental protection organizations to investigate feedback on the activities of government agencies in this area, obtain information and even file a lawsuit. do These organizations have the right to comment and provide solutions in this regard while examining the existing defects and problems. Government agencies are also allowed to provide non-classified information to non-governmental organizations. The totality of this legal capacity regarding the involvement of non-governmental organizations in the environment and the ineffectiveness of the laws approved as the basis of the principles of the constitution makes it clearer the need to use other approaches and even the use of a multiple approach in the sense of using all regulatory methods in protecting the environment.