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The economic ascent of the Middle East's religious minorities: The role of Islamic legal pluralism

Publication ,  Journal Article
Kuran, T
Published in: Journal of Legal Studies
June 1, 2004

In the nineteenth century, the Middle East's Christian and Jewish minorities registered conspicuous economic advances relative to the Muslim majority. These advances were made possible by the choice of law available to non-Muslim subjects. Until the late eighteenth century, on matters critical to financial and commercial success, non-Muslims tended to exercise this privilege in favor of Islamic law, and this pattern prompted their own court systems to emulate Islamic legal practices. However, as Western Europe developed the legal infrastructure of modern capitalism, vast numbers of Christians and Jews made jurisdictional switches by obtaining the protection of European states. Along with tax concessions, they thus gained the ability to conduct business under Western laws.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Journal of Legal Studies

DOI

ISSN

0047-2530

Publication Date

June 1, 2004

Volume

33

Issue

2

Start / End Page

475 / 515

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4804 Law in context
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1801 Law
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Kuran, T. (2004). The economic ascent of the Middle East's religious minorities: The role of Islamic legal pluralism. Journal of Legal Studies, 33(2), 475–515. https://doi.org/10.1086/422707
Kuran, T. “The economic ascent of the Middle East's religious minorities: The role of Islamic legal pluralism.” Journal of Legal Studies 33, no. 2 (June 1, 2004): 475–515. https://doi.org/10.1086/422707.
Kuran, T. “The economic ascent of the Middle East's religious minorities: The role of Islamic legal pluralism.” Journal of Legal Studies, vol. 33, no. 2, June 2004, pp. 475–515. Scopus, doi:10.1086/422707.
Journal cover image

Published In

Journal of Legal Studies

DOI

ISSN

0047-2530

Publication Date

June 1, 2004

Volume

33

Issue

2

Start / End Page

475 / 515

Related Subject Headings

  • Economics
  • 4804 Law in context
  • 3801 Applied economics
  • 1801 Law