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 *
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 *
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 *
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 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 *
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 *
