Doing Business in the Middle East
Politics and Economic Crisis in Jordan and Kuwait

The first book to examine relations between state authority and elite business representation in the Middle East.

Pete W. Moore (Author)

9780521120609, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 1 October 2009

232 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.3 cm, 0.35 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The book is well written, theoretically grounded and substantively rich. It will find a market amongst those interested in comparative politics, political economy, public policy and US foreign policy in the Middle East.' Jill Crystal, Auburn University

Is business the solution to the problems of the Middle East? Some economists and policymakers argue that unleashing the Arab private sector is the key to sustainable growth and more liberal politics. Pete Moore's book is the first to examine relations between state authority and elite business representation in the region. By analysing the Kuwait and Jordan cases, he considers why organised business in Kuwait has been able to coordinate policy reform with state officials, while their Jordanian counterparts have generally failed. The author concludes that unleashing the private sector alone is insufficient to change current political and economic arrangements, and that successful economic adjustment requires successful political adjustment.

1. Summers of discontent: business-state politics in the Middle East
2. Organizing first: business and political authority during state formation
3. Politics and profits
4. Crises at century's end
5. Is business the solution?

Subject Areas: Business & management [KJ], Development economics & emerging economies [KCM], Politics & government [JP]