Endangered Species: Why Muslim Economies Fail

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 470 pages
• Published by: Stratford Books October 28, 2004
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0962706043
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0962706042
• Book Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Weighs: 1.4 pounds

Product Review
"Middle Eastern economics has found a new voice -- listen and learn." -- Dr. Norman Itzkowitz, Professor Emeritus, Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University

"Most timely and insightful in a disarmingly delightful style. The Middle East has a new voice -- listen and learn." -- Dr. Norman Itzkowitz, Professor Emeritus, Near Eastern Studies, Princeton University

Schlossstein has worked extensively in the Far East, clearly knows it well, and writes about it eloquently. -- The Denver Post

Product Description
In 1963, average per capita income in the Arab world was higher than the per capita income of South Korea. Today, it is half that of Korea, which is now the 11th-largest economy in the world. What's worse, during the past twenty years, growth in per capita income for Arabs has been the lowest in the world except for sub-Saharan Africa.

In another corner of the world, growth, optimism, and hope have forcefully driven out poverty, pessimism, and despair. The East Asian economic miracle of the last two decades is no longer a mystery: China, Japan, and the tiger economies of Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong have set powerful new standards for the developing world to meet.

The vibrant economies of East Asia have consistently demonstrated the power of dynamic transformation by showing how effective modernization strategies can be created and implemented while at the same time protecting their own traditions, starting with authoritarian rule and a role for the state.

By contrast, the Middle East is locked in a death-dance with the West. Endangered Species documents critical lessons that the Arab world can learn from Beijing and Tokyo, not from the Washington consensus.

Reader Reviews
Is there a solution to the Middle East crisis? If you are interested in this question then you should read this book. Given the poverty and population growth rates in the Middle East, it is hard to imagine any long-term solution that is not based on economic growth and broad-based prosperity. Unfortunately the Arab world currently lacks a viable economic model. But what economic model? Should it be based exclusively on the Western model or are there others that would be more easily accepted in the Arab world? Schlossstien lucidly argues that the Arab world should look to East Asia, not the West, for their model. The economic transformation that has occurred in East Asia is based on an economic model that embraces Asian cultural values. And, as he describes, it has been remarkably effective in rapidly moving these countries out of poverty. By analogy with East Asia, Arab countries can develop models that include their values. By providing an alternative, Schlossstein dramatically raises the level of discussion in an area of critical importance where there are few new ideas - just a continual rehash of the problems. It is a fascinating read because Schlossstein makes his arguments by taking the reader on a journey through history and comparative religion, with Islam at the center. He deals with issues in a straightforward, often provocative, and occasionally witty style. Schlossstein is clearly someone who is interested in solutions, not ideology. I hope that all those working and making policy decisions in the Middle East will read and discuss this book. Schlossstein has provided the case for a much more positive and constructive discussion about how to move forward. For general readers I also strongly recommend this book. It provides a comprehensive overview of one of the most important issues of our age.