Overview
Since the
discovery of oil, the countries of the Persian Gulf have been caught in a
vicious circle. With increasing oil revenues, rulers have made
self-enrichment their motivation while foreign powers have exploited the
region and provided support for oppressive regimes. Early exploitation
of the region's oil was colonial in practice; today, oppressive rulers
and foreigners work hand-in-hand to the determent of the citizenry.
Rulers have no incentives to foster good institutions, especially the
rule of law, as independent and efficient institutions would undermine
their control over oil revenues.
This book takes a chronological look at the impact of oil in the region and examines how vast oil revenues have encouraged oppressive governance and corrupted development policies, impeding human, political, and economic progress. Hossein Askari argues that there is an urgent need for visionary political and economic reform in order to prevent a regional catastrophe. Rulers must start by publicly acknowledging that oil belongs to the people of all generations and that it must be managed accordingly - efficiently, equitably, and transparently.
This book takes a chronological look at the impact of oil in the region and examines how vast oil revenues have encouraged oppressive governance and corrupted development policies, impeding human, political, and economic progress. Hossein Askari argues that there is an urgent need for visionary political and economic reform in order to prevent a regional catastrophe. Rulers must start by publicly acknowledging that oil belongs to the people of all generations and that it must be managed accordingly - efficiently, equitably, and transparently.
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