A Political Economy of the Middle East: Third Edition [Paperback]

Alan Richards (Author), John Waterbury (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 2007 | ISBN-10: 0813343488 | ISBN-13: 978-0813343488 | Edition: Third Edition

This integrated, analytic text presents a comprehensive analysis of the transformation of the political economy of development in the contemporary Middle East over the past several decades. Extensively rewritten and revised, the third edition of A Political Economy of the Middle East retains a focus on the interaction of economic development processes, state systems, and social actors even as it also: Documents the many changes in demography, education, labor markets, urbanization, water and agriculture, and international labor migration in the Middle East in recent years; Considers the effect of rising oil prices on reinforcement of authoritarian governance in the region; Refines its assessment of “the Washington Consensus” to provide a more nuanced approach to the issue of the shifting balance of state and market in economic growth and reform (in an entirely rewritten Chapter 9); Presents Islamism as a vital force in the region that is nonetheless a vast, diverse social movement with many conflicting participants (in a wholly revised Chapter 14).

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Richards is professor of economics at the University of California at Santa Cruz. John Waterbury is William Stewart Tod Professor of Politics and International Affairs at Princeton University.

Product Details

• Paperback: 496 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press; Third Edition edition (July 31, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813343488
• ISBN-13: 978-0813343488
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #418,683 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential to Obtaining a Multi-faceted Understanding of ME, November 24, 2000

By 

Tron Honto - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Political Economy Of The Middle East 2E: Second Edition (Paperback)

This authorative work was monumental when first released, and the second edition updates the first well, addressing many new contemporary developments. At times, the book can be daunting; however, for the material it covers, it is often suprisingly readable. It is great a launchpad for a multifarious number of other studies because it integrates and discusses so many other concerns. The charts, graphs, and tables which are employed generously are helpful as well. Overall, the book succeeds well at being balanced, practical and straightforward about the problems facing the Middle East, including their source and future.

Recommended for students and professionals seeking specialized knowledge of the M. E. which presents a solid framework for seeing the interelatedness of many aspects of Mid. East society. Casual readers will be overwhelmed by it analytical style and attention to detail. A general knowledge of economics as well as politics is of course recommended before reading this as well.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential and Excellent textbook, November 8, 2001

By 

Alessandro Bruno (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Political Economy Of The Middle East 2E: Second Edition (Paperback)

I have read and used sevral books in my research on the Middle East. I find this book to be the best to gain a bird's eye view of many social, political and economic problems in the region. R & W discuss problems of nation - building, state types and formation, competing ideologies, socio-economic crisis and oil politics (among other things). It's an excellent place to start for serious approaches to the subject. I have read both editions and look forward to future books form these authors.

I

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good Survey, February 23, 2003

By 

Benjamin Doty (Mountain View, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Political Economy Of The Middle East: Second Edition (Hardcover)

This book starts to fill a gap sorely lacking on political economy in the Middle East. At times, it suffers from what most surveys of regions do - overlooking particular experiences of individual countries and other important factors determining important cause and effect relationships.

Nevertheless, it provides a good starting point for the student of the Middle East and the general reader who has a curiosity concerning the lack of non-oil wealth in the Middle East.