The Militarization of the Persian Gulf: An Economic Analysis

by Hossein Askari, Amin Mohseni, Shahrzad Daneshvar

Overview

The Persian Gulf is arguably the most militarized region in the world. The authors of this insightful book examine military expenditures, arms imports and military deployment to analyze how and why this came to be. Muslim teachings have much to say about peace, war and economics, and this book explores the ways in which Islamic thought affects military and economic developments.

The authors find that heavy militarization is the result of a combination of factors, including oil wealth disparities among the countries in the region, high oil revenues, corruption and foreign interference. The authors detail and discuss these factors, and follow this analysis with an assessment of the effects of high military expenditures - wars, conflicts, regional instability - and their heavy economic toll in retarding development and growth. The book concludes by suggesting ways that military expenditures may be reduced to benefit regional peace, stability and economic prosperity.

Scholars and students in economics, political science and international affairs as well as anyone interested in the Middle East will find this book timely and illuminating.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781847206114
Publisher:	Edward Elgar Publishing
Publication date:	02/28/2010
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Hossein Askari, Iran Professor of International Business and International Affairs, The George Washington University, US, Amin Mohseni, PhD Candidate in Economics, American University, Washington, DC, US and Shahrzad Daneshvar, Miami-Dade County Public School Teacher, Teach for America, US

Table of Contents

Contents: 1. Introduction 2. The Justification and Economic Impact of Military Expenditures 3. Military Expenditures in the Persian Gulf 4. Military Imports in the Persian Gulf 5. Military Personnel in the Persian Gulf 6. Indigenous Military Sectors in the Persian Gulf 7. Militarization of the Persian Gulf: Why? 8. Militarization of the Persian Gulf: The Consequences 9. Conclusion: The Elements of Fruitful Demilitarization Bibliography Index