ABSTRACT
Souqs are more than just places to sell things or magnets for tourists seeking something from the mysterious Orient. They are barometers that tell much about the economic—and thus the social and political—health of a country. Political and economic issues are deeply interwoven in the Middle East, as they are elsewhere in the world. Political stability is partly a function of economic prosperity, or at least of rising economic expectations. Political democracies appear to develop best when integrated with market economies. National banks served to distribute political patronage to favored clients in an effort to sequester potential opposition. Economic development is also a factor in political participation, and the level of development may affect participation levels in the Middle East. The lack of peace between Israel and its neighbors and the overall fears of political violence also contribute to the lack of foreign investment.
