دانشگاه شهید بهشتی مجله تاریخ ایران 2008-7357 19 1 2026 03 21 The Approach of the Akhtar Newspaper to the Challenges and Solutions of Trade in the Qajar Era رویکرد روزنامه اختر به چالش‌ها و راهکارهای تجارت عصر قاجار 75 104 106619 10.48308/irhj.2026.241133.1449 FA فاطمه جعفرنیا استادیار گروه تاریخ، دانشکده علوم اجتماعی، دانشگاه پیام نور، تهران، ایران. محمد عزیزنژاد دانش‌آموخته دکتری تاریخ ایران اسلامی، اردبیل، ایران. Journal Article 2025 08 20 This study employs a descriptive-analytical method and qualitative content analysis to explore the economic discourse in the Akhtar newspaper, published in Istanbul from 1875 to 1896. Operating independently of Iran's political constraints, Akhtar enjoyed notable freedom from censorship, allowing it to express critiques and propose solutions for Iran's economic challenges during the late Qajar period. The research analyzes various topics covered by the newspaper, including trade, handicrafts, currency, banking, insurance, and commercial enterprises. The main inquiry examines the obstacles to Iran's trade development identified by Akhtar, along with its proposed solutions. Key impediments highlighted include governmental inaction, lack of economic organization, fraud in export goods, a chronic trade deficit, and outdated commercial laws. To address these issues, Akhtar advocated for essential reforms, such as the establishment of joint-stock companies, banks, and insurance firms, as well as participation in international exhibitions to enhance Iran’s integration into the global economy. Additionally, a significant finding is Akhtar's deliberate effort to introduce classical economic thought, highlighted by the translation and publication of excerpts from Adam Smith's The Wealth of Nations in a series titled "Principles of the Science of the Wealth of Nations." Content analysis suggests that the newspaper's economic philosophy can be characterized as "Prudential Liberalism," a hybrid approach that supports free-market principles while endorsing strategic state intervention to overcome institutional barriers. This research reconstructs Akhtar's economic analysis and proposes the "Prudential Liberalism" framework, offering valuable insights into the late Qajar economic reform discourse and the evolution of indigenous economic thought in Iran. Introduction The nineteenth century and Europe’s Industrial Revolution fundamentally reshaped Iran’s economic relations with the West. Iran’s traditional export-based economy—centered on silk, handicrafts, and agricultural goods—was gradually undermined by the influx of cheap, mass-produced European merchandise, particularly textiles. This process eroded domestic industries, entrenched persistent trade deficits, and generated a structural dependence on imports, decisively altering Iran’s economic trajectory. Although political consolidation under the Qajar dynasty facilitated expanded commercial ties with Europe, these relations were formalized through a series of profoundly unequal treaties. Beginning with the Treaty of Turkmenchay in 1828, Iran was subjected to low, fixed tariff regimes that overwhelmingly favored European manufactured goods. This legal and commercial framework constrained Iran’s capacity to protect domestic production and pursue autonomous industrial development, effectively locking the country into a subordinate position within the emerging global economic order. In response to these conditions, the Persian-language newspaper Akhtar, published in Istanbul beyond the immediate reach of Qajar censorship, emerged as a critical forum for economic analysis and reformist advocacy. Closely connected to merchant and intellectual circles, Akhtar devoted considerable attention to commercial intelligence, critiques of international treaties, and discussions of Iran’s structural economic weaknesses. It consistently emphasized institutional modernization as a prerequisite for economic recovery. The newspaper called for the establishment of modern financial institutions such as banks and insurance companies, the standardization of weights and measures, the development of a formal commercial legal code, and the promotion of domestic industry through protective policies and participation in international exhibitions. These proposals reflected an effort to reconcile engagement with global markets with the strengthening of internal economic foundations. Despite substantial scholarship on Qajar-era economic history, Akhtar’s economic ideology remains insufficiently examined through systematic analysis of its articles. This study addresses that gap through qualitative content analysis, focusing on how Akhtar diagnosed the causes of Iran’s commercial stagnation and articulated institutional and policy remedies. It further examines the apparent tension between Akhtar’s endorsement of classical liberal economic principles and its insistence on a proactive state role, interpreting this synthesis through the conceptual framework of “Prudential Liberalism.” Materials And Methods This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and employs qualitative content analysis to examine the economic discourse of the Persian-language newspaper Akhtar. Its primary objective is to identify core themes related to trade and the economy of Iran as articulated in Akhtar and to reconstruct the newspaper’s perspective on economic challenges and proposed remedies during the Qajar period. The temporal scope of the study spans the years 1292–1314 AH (1875–1896 CE), a period selected due to the continuity of Akhtar’s publication and the density of its economic discussions. Data were extracted directly from the printed issues of the newspaper, ensuring reliance on primary historical sources. From the complete corpus of Akhtar, only articles, reports, and analytical notes meeting three criteria were selected: direct engagement with Iranian trade and commerce; inclusion of economic analysis or evaluative judgment rather than advertisements or brief news items; and historical relevance to the defined period of study. Based on these criteria, twenty-four issues were identified and selected as the primary analytical units. The unit of analysis is defined as an “article or analytical note.” Selected texts were coded using an initial conceptual framework that organized key themes into eight principal axes: balance of trade and foreign commerce; product quality and export fraud; weights and measures; banking and insurance systems; coinage and the silver crisis; commercial law and bills of exchange; transportation infrastructure; and companies and international exhibitions. To ensure analytical rigor and coherence, all texts were first summarized and systematically organized. The analysis was grounded in qualitative, interpretive content analysis, through which recurring themes and patterns within each axis were identified and examined in relation to the historical context of the Qajar era. This approach prioritized analytical depth and conceptual insight over quantitative description. Where Akhtar referenced quantitative data—such as export figures or trade balances—these were cross-checked against contemporary sources to assess their approximate reliability. Nevertheless, the study primarily relies on discursive analysis, with statistical data serving a supplementary role. A further limitation is the exclusive focus on a single newspaper, which necessarily reflects a particular intellectual and political orientation; this constraint has been carefully considered in interpreting the findings. Overall, this methodological framework enables a systematic analysis of Akhtar’s economic themes, perspectives, and policy proposals, providing a foundation for assessing whether its economic thought can be coherently interpreted within the analytical framework of “Prudential Liberalism.” Result and Discussion The analysis of the Akhtar newspaper reveals that Iranian commerce during the Qajar era was viewed not only as an economic activity but also as a key factor in national development. The newspaper identified three main obstacles to trade: institutional weaknesses, inadequate infrastructure, and socio-cultural limitations. It highlighted issues such as chronic trade deficits, declining quality of exports, a lack of standardized weights and measures, the absence of modern financial institutions like banks and insurance companies, and the crisis surrounding silver coinage. These structural barriers were deemed to require government intervention. Akhtar emphasized that export growth depended on strengthening domestic production, improving product quality, and implementing targeted government policies. The standardization of weights and measures was considered essential for market transparency, reflecting a pragmatic balance between free-market principles and state regulation. Additionally, the newspaper advocated for the establishment of modern financial institutions, underscoring that reliable banks and insurance systems were crucial for economic stability and international integration. Transportation and infrastructural deficiencies were also central to Akhtar’s analysis. Efficient transport networks were deemed vital for enabling specialization, expanding domestic markets, and supporting both agricultural and industrial trade. Resistance to innovation and the absence of supportive institutions further contributed to economic stagnation, highlighting the need for comprehensive and strategic interventions. The monetary crisis, particularly the decline in the credibility of silver coinage, illustrated the limitations of market mechanisms without sound governance. Akhtar argued that stable currency and institutional reliability were prerequisites for effective trade and economic development. Overall, Akhtar combined classical economic concepts with reformist strategies, advocating for a mix of market practices and institutional support. The newspaper served as a mediator, adapting Western economic ideas to fit the social, cultural, and institutional context of Qajar Iran. Its approach reflects a pragmatic liberal perspective, emphasizing that sustainable commerce requires both competitive markets and robust institutional frameworks. Conclusions This study illustrates that the Akhtar newspaper played a crucial role in analyzing and proposing solutions for the challenges faced by Iranian commerce during the Qajar era. By systematically examining issues such as trade deficits, declining export quality, weak institutional frameworks, inadequate transportation, and monetary instability, Akhtar highlighted the critical obstacles to economic development. The newspaper consistently emphasized that sustainable trade required both market mechanisms and active institutional intervention, advocating for the establishment of banks, insurance systems, standardization of weights and measures, and improved transport infrastructure. Akhtar's approach demonstrates a practical adaptation of classical economic ideas, particularly those from Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, to the Iranian context. The newspaper did not simply replicate Western concepts but instead modified them to address domestic realities. This reflects a reform-oriented liberal perspective that can be described as "pragmatic liberalism." This framework combines respect for market principles with targeted state involvement to rectify institutional failures and promote national development. In conclusion, the analysis of Akhtar reveals that the newspaper served as a bridge between global economic thought and local policy recommendations. Its reformist and educational role provide a valuable reference for understanding the evolution of economic ideas in Iran and demonstrates how the media can contribute to shaping public awareness and policy strategies in transitional economies. روزنامه اختر که در استانبول و خارج از قلمرو سیاسی ایران منتشر می‌شد، به‌دلیل برخورداری از آزادی نسبی از سانسور، قادر بود دیدگاه‌های اقتصادی و اجتماعی خود را شفاف‌تر بیان کند. یکی از محورهای مهم این نشریه، تحلیل چالش‌های تجارت ایران در عصر قاجار بود. این پژوهش با رویکردی توصیفی ـ تحلیلی و مبتنی بر تحلیل محتوای کیفی، مقالات اقتصادی اختر را در سال‌های 1292 تا 1314ق/1875 تا 1896م بررسی کرده است. داده‌های مورد مطالعه شامل یادداشت‌ها و گزارش‌هایی درباره تجارت، صنایع دستی، مسکوکات، اوزان و مقیاس‌ها، بیمه، بانک و شرکت‌های تجاری است. پرسش اصلی پژوهش آن است که اختر چه موانعی را برای توسعه تجارت ایران شناسایی کرده و چه راهکارهایی ارائه داده است. یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد که از نگاه این نشریه، عواملی چون انفعال دولت، نبود سازماندهی اقتصادی، تقلب در تولید کالاهای صادراتی، تراز منفی بازرگانی و فقدان قوانین نوین تجاری از مهم‌ترین مشکلات ساختاری اقتصاد ایران بوده‌اند. اختر در کنار نقد این وضعیت، بر ضرورت ایجاد نهادهای جدید اقتصادی مانند شرکت‌های سهامی، بانک‌ها، بیمه و برگزاری نمایشگاه‌های بین‌المللی تأکید می‌کرد و آن‌ها را لازمه پیوستن ایران به اقتصاد جهانی می‌دانست. این بررسی همچنین آشکار می‌سازد که اختر به‌طور هدفمند بخش‌هایی از کتاب «ثروت ملل» آدام اسمیت را ترجمه و در قالب سلسله‌مقالاتی با عنوان «مبادی علم ثروت ملل» منتشر کرده است تا اصول اقتصاد بازار را در فضای فکری ایرانِ قاجار مطرح کند. تحلیل محتوای این مقالات نشان می‌دهد که رویکرد اقتصادی اختر در چارچوب «لیبرالیسم تدبیری» قابل تبیین است؛ یعنی پذیرش اصول بازار آزاد همراه با باور به مداخله اصلاح‌گرایانه دولت برای رفع موانع نهادی. این پژوهش با بازسازی تحلیلی سیاست‌های اقتصادی اختر و ارائه این چارچوب مفهومی، امکان فهمی عمیق‌تر از گفتمان اصلاح اقتصادی اواخر قاجار و روند شکل‌گیری ایده‌های بومی اقتصاد در ایران را فراهم می‌کند.

https://irhj.sbu.ac.ir/article_106619_7329883d23bb78f2e525192494e0ec52.pdf