Abstract

Economic liberalization has failed in the Arab world. Instead of ushering in economic dynamism and precipitating democratic reform, it has over the last three decades resulted in greater poverty, rising income inequality and sky-rocketing rates of youth unemployment. In How Capitalism Failed the Arab World, Richard Javad Heydarian shows how years of economic mismanagement, political autocracy and corruption have encouraged people to revolt, and how the initial optimism of the uprisings is now giving way to bitter power struggles, increasing uncertainty and continued economic stagnation. A unique and provocative analysis of some of the key social and political events of the last decade.

'Richard Heydarian has written a lucidly argued and impressive critique of the negative effects of neoliberal capitalism and globalization on the well-being of the Arab nations. Overall, this book gives the best understanding of why the upheavals of 2011 took place, and the struggle to create a future in which economic development, democracy and social justice are fused rather than split apart. An indispensable book for understanding the ugly aftermath of the Arab Spring without losing hope for a better tomorrow.'
Richard Falk, Princeton University

'How Capitalism Failed the Arab World is an intellectually and morally courageous analysis of how the interplay between global capitalist forces and local tyrannies fuelled one national uprising after another. This ambitiously conceived study takes us through the modern history of the Middle East with critical acumen and a careful eye for both global dynamics and local detail. Written with considerable flair and enthusiasm, How Capitalism Failed the Arab World is extremely relevant in understanding not only the roots of the Arab Spring, but also the challenges and predicaments, trials and tribulations, that have continued to unfold in its complex path of development.'
Alamin Mazrui, Rutgers University

'An extremely timely book which shows how globalization and capitalism have failed the Arab world, driven by crony capitalism and resulting in economic growth which was neither pro-poor nor inclusive. The author argues that the upshot was the Arab Spring, the aftermath of which now provides an opportune moment to reappraise development policy in the region.'
Jane Harrigan, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London

'Richard Javad Heydarian examines the impact of globalization in the Arab world. He skilfully argues that the structural causes of the Arab Spring revolutions stem from aggressive economic liberization and political repression that created a predatory form of capitalism, allowing autocratic regimes to maintain systems of patronage that exclude the masses. How Capitalism Failed the Arab World is a fundamental read for those interested in understanding the intersections of global economics and national politics in the contemporary world.'
Alcinda Honwana, The Open University

'This work is very much needed and timely given the ongoing upheavals in the region and the disappointment experienced by the majority of its population in the aftermath of the Arab Spring. It is a well-written, well-argued and well-documented book that provides a fresh look at this very complex phenomenon.'
Tareq Ismael, University of Calgary

'Heydarian's book illustrates how the capitalist promises and experimentation in several Arab countries in the Middle East and North Africa have turned out to be liabilities rather than benefits, especially in the pursuit of their economic development and political democratization.'
Henelito A. Sevilla, University of the Philippines Diliman

Richard Javad Heydarian is an Assistant Professor in political science at De La Salle University, where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on international relations, and a policy advisor at the Philippine House of Representatives. He has authored more than 400 articles, policy papers, and op-eds on Asian geopolitical and economic affairs, writing for or interviewed by Foreign Affairs, BBC, Bloomberg, Aljazeera, Huffington Post, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The National Interest, The Nation, among other leading publications. He is a specialist on foreign policy and economic development issues, he has served as a consultant to various local and international institutions.