The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective
Publication
, Journal Article
Kuran, T
Published in: Southern Economic Journal
April 1, 2012
Key institutions of the pre-modern Middle Eastern economy, all grounded in Islamic law, blocked the development of democratic institutions. This talk identifies three mechanisms that played critical roles. Islam's original tax system failed to produce lasting and credible constraints on governance. The waqfs (Islamic trusts) founded to provide social services to designated constituencies were politically powerless. Profit-making private enterprises remained small and ephemeral, hindering the formation of stable coalitions capable of bargaining with the state. The last two mechanisms jointly delayed the rise of a civil society able to provide the checks and balances essential to democratic rule.
Duke Scholars
Published In
Southern Economic Journal
DOI
ISSN
0038-4038
Publication Date
April 1, 2012
Volume
78
Issue
4
Start / End Page
1086 / 1095
Related Subject Headings
- Economics
- 14 Economics
Citation
APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Kuran, T. (2012). The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective. Southern Economic Journal, 78(4), 1086–1095. https://doi.org/10.4284/0038-4038-78.4.1086
Kuran, T. “The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective.” Southern Economic Journal 78, no. 4 (April 1, 2012): 1086–95. https://doi.org/10.4284/0038-4038-78.4.1086.
Kuran T. The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective. Southern Economic Journal. 2012 Apr 1;78(4):1086–95.
Kuran, T. “The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective.” Southern Economic Journal, vol. 78, no. 4, Apr. 2012, pp. 1086–95. Scopus, doi:10.4284/0038-4038-78.4.1086.
Kuran T. The economic roots of political underdevelopment in the middle east: A historical perspective. Southern Economic Journal. 2012 Apr 1;78(4):1086–1095.
Published In
Southern Economic Journal
DOI
ISSN
0038-4038
Publication Date
April 1, 2012
Volume
78
Issue
4
Start / End Page
1086 / 1095
Related Subject Headings
- Economics
- 14 Economics