Privatizing Welfare In The Middle East

Examines the effects of neoliberal economic reforms on middle classes in the Middle East. Based on fieldwork and interviews with members, non-members, and policymakers, this title provides fresh insights into democratization, liberalization, and civil society.

... a highly original and valuable contribution on an important and most timely topic... No other book on Middle Eastern political economy matches this one in combining clarity of focus and breadth of geographic coverage. - Robert Bianchi. An international group of specialists take stock of the problems and prospects for privatization of state-run economies and other liberalization efforts in a wide range of countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa. Although privatization and liberalization are frequently regarded as economic measures, the contributors demonstrate that it is the politics of such reforms that often determines the success or failure of economic policy changes. The countries under review share a variety of economic and political characteristics, yet are sufficiently different in their response to the call for privatization to constitute useful cases for comparative political and economic analysis. Countries studied include Egypt, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia, and Algeria. The contributors are Abdel-Monem Said Aly, Laurie A. Brand, Kiren Aziz Chaudhry, Iliya Harik, Fred H. Lawson, Marcie J. J. Sullivan, and Dirk Vandewalle.

First published in 1987, this book analyses social welfare in the major countries of the Middle East, at that time. For each country it considers the ideological framework underlying the social welfare system and describes the historical development of both the system and the political and socio-economic context. Each chapter looks at the structure and administration of the systems in place and how the systems are financed. Contributions examine the nature of the different parts of the welfare system, surveying social security, personal social services, and the treatment of the following key target groups: the aged; those with disabilities and handicaps; children and youth; disadvantaged families; the unemployed; and the sick and injured. Each chapter concludes with an assessment of the effectiveness of the system considered.

Seminar paper from the year 2006 in the subject Politics - International Politics - Region: Near East, Near Orient, grade: 1,7, University of Kassel, 27 entries in the bibliography, language: English, abstract: It is claimed that Middle Eastern countries lack behind market reforms and show an antipathy towards neoliberal economic restructuring. This research paper looks into the logic of economic restructuring, whereby privatisation, competition and regulation theory build the framework for analysing market liberalisation in the Middle East. A case study on Islamic banking reflects the differences and challenges of respecting Muslim traditions at the one hand and Western financial practices on the other. It becomes paramount that economic restructuring is perceived mostly negatively by Muslim states and therefore, clashes with neoliberal understanding of pro-market reforms are inevitable.

Based on different problematic and methodological perspectives and new sources, this book's contributions lie in the close study of welfare beyond the religious divides, codifications and indoctrinations. The time span - from 1850 to the present day - represents moments of colonisations, occupations, wars and conflicts which resulted in un-met needs and broken down institutions. What are the stories behind health care, schools, orphanages and vocational schools, maternity homes and hostels? The collection of chapters examine different involvements in welfare activities not only as contextualised in stable communities and nations, but also as they emerge in vulnerable states and disintegrating societies. Furthermore, this volume brings forth the historical and contemporary voices of those who provide relief and the beneficiaries of such efforts. At the core of this book are themes concerned with humanitarianism in relation to people's unique experiences, state and non-governmental organisations, gender and modernity.

The fourth in a series on the Middle East, this volume deals with liberalisation. It argues that few countries have been untouched by economic and/or political liberalisation, particularly the Middle East. It looks at Turkey, Egypt and Iraq along with other Middle Eastern states.

The book is the first to cover all areas of privatization in Israel and one of the first to do so in general, including state infrastructure, immigration policy, land, health, education, welfare, regulation, and policy design. As such, it offers a comprehensive volume for students, policy makers, and scholars interested in the economic, sociological, political, and legal perspectives of a major policy trend that has changed the face and character of the modern state. In addition, it is a vital contribution to those who have an interest in changes in Israeli society, politics, and economy.

Analysing developments in the Middle East, this book concludes that economic liberalization has failed to entail the continuous growth and widespread welfare gains expected by its proponents. Privatization and crony capitalism do not allow individuals to participate in the formation of decent social norms.