Affluence and Poverty in the Middle East

<p><em>Affluence and Poverty in the Middle East</em> 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.</p>