ABSTRACT

Affluence and Poverty in the Middle East is an introduction to the political economy of the Middle East, focusing on its most salient features - persistent poverty and extreme inequality. El-Ghonemy analyses the factors influencing the region, including its unique historical, religious and cultural mix, as well as its economic foundations and forms of corruption. For each factor he employs case-studies drawn from throughout the region, from Turkey to Sudan and Morocco to Iran. In the final section El-Ghomeny discusses possible solutions to the challenges facing the region, including possible uses of a peace dividend, and the role of democracy.

chapter |8 pages

Introduction

part I|140 pages

The Roots

chapter 1|18 pages

Basic concepts and realities

chapter 2|15 pages

Historical origins

chapter 4|20 pages

Economic foundations

The natural resource base

chapter 5|15 pages

Unbalanced development

chapter 6|23 pages

Social imbalance in public expenditure

Health, education and defence

chapter 7|12 pages

Corruption

The embezzlement of public funds

part II|82 pages

Policy Choice

chapter 9|21 pages

Redistribution of wealth and income

An assessment

chapter 10|42 pages

Economic policy reforms

Distributional impact

chapter 11|17 pages

Prospects and challenges