A Political Economy of the Middle East:, UPDATED 2013 EDITION 3rd Edition

Praise for Previous Editions

This is one of the most important books about the Middle East to appear in the last thirty years. Richards and Waterbury have broken new ground with what is the first systematic economy analysis of the region. . . . Their landmark study will make us rethink the conventional wisdom about Middle East politics. Michael C. Hudson, Georgetown University

Interesting, informative, and challenging. Choice (Outstanding Title)

In analyzing the ongoing socioeconomic transformations of the Middle East, Richards and Waterbury provide remarkable insights into both the commonalities that give the region its identity and the many variations among countries. . . . Clear, informative, and amply documented throughout, the book is unique in its scope. Timur Kuran, Duke University

This integrated, analytic text presents a comprehensive analysis of the transformation and development of the political economy in the Middle East over the past several decades. In this 2013 updated third edition ofA Political Economy of the Middle East, the book retains its focus on the interaction of economic development processes, state systems, and social actors even as it also:

Explores the impact of the Arab Spring and subsequent events in the region in a wholly new chapter;

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;

Presents Islamism as a vital force in the region that is nonetheless a vast, diverse social movement with many conflicting participants.

Alan Richards is professor emeritus of economics and environmental studies at the University of California at Santa Cruz.

John Waterbury is President Emeritus of the American University of Beirut and Global Professor at NYU Abu Dhabi.

Melani Cammett is associate professor of political science at Brown University.

Ishac Diwan is lecturer in public policy and the director for Africa and the Middle East at the Center for International Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

John Waterbury is William Stewart Tod Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Emeritus, at Princeton University.

Ishac Diwan is Lecturer in Public Policy and the director for Africa and the Middle East at the growth lab of the Center for International Development at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University.

Melani Cammett is associate professor of political science at Brown University.