The relationship between religion and the state has entered a new phase ever since the Iranian Revolution more than three decades ago. The recent mass uprisings against autocratic rulers in the Arab world have highlighted the potency of Islamist forces in post-revolutionary societies in the region, a force arguably unlocked first by Iran's version of the 'spring' three decades ago. The economic ramifications of these uprisings are of special interest at a time when the possibility of the creation of Islamic states can have implications for their economic policy and performance again. A study of the Iranian experience in itself can offer rare insights whether for its own features and characteristics or for its possible lessons and implications for recent events in the region. This book is concerned with the economic aspects and consequences of the Iranian Revolution in general and its interaction with the international economy in particular. Many studies have to date dealt with Iran's economic challenges, policies and performance in the post-revolutionary period but its interaction with the international economy - although of growing importance - has not received sufficient attention. The contributions in this volume by experts in the field address ways in which in the span of three decades, Iran's economy has evolved from a strong aspiration to develop an 'independent economy' to grappling with debilitating international economic sanctions.

This Handbook captures the salient features of Middle Eastern economies and critically examines the public policy responses required to address the challenges and opportunities across the region. Bringing together wide-ranging perspectives from carefully selected and renowned subject specialists, the collection fills a gap in this relatively young and growing academic field. Combining discussion of theory and empirical evidence, the book maps out the evolution of Middle East economics as a field within area studies and applied development economics. Presented in six thematic sections, the book enables the reader to gain a comprehensive understanding of the region's main economic themes and issues: * Growth and development in comparative perspectives * Labour force and human development * Natural resources, resource curse and trade * Poverty, inequality and social policy * Institutions and transition to democracy * Corruption, conflict and refugees Providing an overview of the principal economic problems, policies and performances relating to the countries in the Middle East and North Africa region, this collection will be a key resource for upper-level undergraduates, graduates and scholars with an interest in Middle East economics, applied development economics, development studies and area studies.

The recent globalization trends have revived a long-standing interest in regional integration in the countries of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Despite numerous attempts to encourage economic integration in MENA in the past few decades, there is broad consensus that progress has been painstakingly slow and the record of economic integration in the MENA region largely beset by failure.
This book examines the impact of recent changes in the world economy on trade policy within the MENA region and its economic relations with the rest of the world. It considers regional integration and prospects for trade blocs; trade liberalization and economic restructuring; resource endowments and employment trends; and changes in economic boundaries, especially as a result of labour migration and regional conflicts.

Contents:
Introduction
Part I: Past Trends and Future Prospects for Growth
1. Dipak Dasgupta, Jennifer Keller and T. G. Srinivasan Reform and Elusive Growth in the Middle East - What Has Happened in the 1990s?
Part II: Integration Patterns, Trade Blocs and Regional Policy
2. Rania Miniesy, Jeffrey B. Nugent and Tarik M Yousef Globalize or Regionalize: How has MENA Performed?
3. Mustapha Nabli and Marie-Ange Veganzones Exchange Rate Regime and Competitiveness of Manufactured Exports: The Case of MENA Countries
4. Ghazi Ben-Ahmad and Ali Bayar The New WTO Trade Agenda, The Euro-Med Agreements and the Cap Reform: Implications for the Agricultural Trade of the MENA Region
Part III: Trade and Restructuring: Lessons and Outcomes
5. Sofiane Ghali and Pierre Mohnen Restructuring and Economic Performance: The Experience of the Tunisian Economy
6. Zelal Kotan and Serdar Sayan A Comparative Investigation of the Price Competitiveness of Turkish and South East Asian Exports in the European Union Market: 1990-1997
7. Zine Barka Economic Liberalisation and Trade Policy Reforms in Algeria
8. Behrouz Hady Zonooz Trade Strategy and Industrial Development in Iran during the 1979-1998 Period
Part IV: Resource Endowments, Factor Markets and Employment Issues
9. Jacques Charmes Trends in Informal Sector Employment in the Arab World and Middle East
10. Malika Martini, Elizabeth Bailey, Gwyn E. Jones and Patricia Goldey Female Labour Supply and Employment Patterns: The Organisation of Labour in Farm Production in Northwest Syria
11. Tony Allan and Hassan Hakimian Watersheds and Problemsheds: Solving MENA Water Scarcity in The Global Trading System
Part V: Economic Boundaries in Flux
12. Karen Preifer How Conflict Shifts Economic Boundaries in the Arab World: Case Study from Kuwait
13. Leila Farsakh Palestinian Labour Mobility and the Redefinition of Economic Boundaries between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza Strip
14. Subidey Togan Turkey After Helsinki: Economic Challenges
15. Numan Kanafani Trade - A Catalyst for Peace?

A re-thinking of the main issues, revolving around the themes of the rationale and strategies for reform, the process and its outcomes, and the nature of the state in the changing global setting.

A re-thinking of the main issues, revolving around the themes of the rationale and strategies for reform, the process and its outcomes, and the nature of the state in the changing global setting.

The relationship between religion and the state has entered a new phase ever since the Iranian Revolution more than three decades ago. The recent mass uprisings against autocratic rulers in the Arab world have highlighted the potency of Islamist forces in post-revolutionary societies in the region, a force arguably unlocked first by Iran's version of the 'spring' three decades ago. The economic ramifications of these uprisings are of special interest at a time when the possibility of the creation of Islamic states can have implications for their economic policy and performance again. A study of the Iranian experience in itself can offer rare insights whether for its own features and characteristics or for its possible lessons and implications for recent events in the region. This book is concerned with the economic aspects and consequences of the Iranian Revolution in general and its interaction with the international economy in particular. Many studies have to date dealt with Iran's economic challenges, policies and performance in the post-revolutionary period but its interaction with the international economy - although of growing importance - has not received sufficient attention. The contributions in this volume by experts in the field address ways in which in the span of three decades, Iran's economy has evolved from a strong aspiration to develop an 'independent economy' to grappling with debilitating international economic sanctions.

The region comprised of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is well known for its abundant natural resources and important geostrategic position. That image, however, is often overshadowed by ongoing sectarian violence and trans-boundary conflicts that threaten the stability of the entire region and dominate much of the global news cycle. Although the region's fragile environmental state has increasingly preoccupied policymakers in individual countries, there is as yet insufficient concerted effort to recognize and address problems relating to sustainability and climate change. And despite the urgency of these challenges, there are very limited academic resources, if any, dedicated to studying MENA's environmental future. Environmental Challenges in the MENA Region draws from the proceedings of a seminal international conference on the subject at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London. The chapters in this book are predicated upon two critical premises: that expertise and awareness from a wide range of disciplines is required to understand and address environmental challenges; and that, to have a real chance of success, MENA countries need to confront these problems as common and shared threats. The interdisciplinary nature of this book mirrors the conclusion reached: that these nations must cooperate on all fronts in order to shape the future of their mutual environment.