Noland Marcus

The tragic events of 9/11 and the subsequent war in Iraq have focused international attention on a nexus of problems involving economic underperformance, problematic internal politics, and externalization of domestic dissent in the Muslim world. This book examines the economics of the Middle East, with the aim of identifying changes to economic policy that could address at least the economic component of the challenges facing this part of the globe. The authors analyze the interaction of trade, productivity growth, and the political difficulties that may ensue as these countries move towards greater openness. Relevant comparisons are drawn from the experience of the transition economies and India on potentially successful policies and those likely to exacerbate existing problems.