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Department of Economics

Applied economics of the Middle East 2

Course Code:
15PECC029
Unit value:
0.4
Taught in:
Term 2

Term 2 - Regional Course

Analysis of the economic development of the Middle East is taken further in this second module on the applied economics of the Middle East, with a greater focus on the resource poor countries of the region. Topics covered include: 

  • aid flow patterns to the region; 
  • IMF and World Bank reform programmes; 
  • economic liberalisation; 
  • globalisation 
  • social welfare policies.

Objectives and learning outcomes of the course

By the end of the course students should be able to:

  1. Understand the reasons why a process of economic liberalisation was needed in the MENA region. Conceptualise the characteristics of an economic liberalisation programme and its sectoral implications.
  2. Be familiar with the key debates surrounding the process of liberalisation and be able to articulate arguments both for and against different dimensions of economic liberalisation in the context of MENA.
  3. Understand the social welfare and political implications of economic reform at both a regional and country-specific level. Present country case study examples of the economic, social and political experience of liberalisation.

Method of assessment

Assessment weighting: Exam 70% / coursework 30% (1 essay). All coursework is resubmittable.

Suggested reading

1. Harrigan and El-Said, Aid and Power in the Arab World: IMF and  World Bank   Policy-Based  Lending in the Middle East and North Africa (2009), Palgrave Macmillan.
2. Richards A. and J. Waterbury (1996), A Political Economy of the Middle East,
3. State: Class and Economic Development, 2nd edition, Boulder Colorado: Westview Curzon Press.
4. Handoussa H. (ed., 1997), Economic Transition in the Middle East – Global
Challenges and Adjustment Strategies, Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press.