Conspiracy theories, while not unique to the Middle East, are a salient feature of the political discourses of the region. Strongly reflecting and impacting on state-society relations and indigenous impressions of the world beyond the region, they affect how political behaviour within and among the states of the region is situated, structured, and controlled. Discounting the common pathological explanation for conspiracism, the author argues that a complex mix of political factors account for most conspiracy theories in the contemporary Arab world. The author argues that the region’s modern history, genuine conspiracies, the complex and oftentimes strained relationship between state and society, the role of the state and the mass media as conspiracy theorists, and the impacts of new technologies have all helped to develop and sustain conspiracist narratives. Drawing on a range of examples and cases, including the impacts of globalization, economic reform, weak state legitimacy, the war in Iraq, the Arab-Israeli issue, the rise of political Islamism, and internet and satellite television, the book illuminates the complex sources of conspiracy theories. Providing a comprehensive overview of this controversial topic, this book will appeal not only to students and scholars interested in Middle East studies, political science, globalization and conspiracy theories, but to anyone seeking an understanding of the region’s complex economic, social, and cultural dynamics.

Conspiracy Theories in the Arab World: Sources and Politics

Gray, Matthew

Reference

Routledge

Conspiracy Theories in the Arab World

A small isthmus in the central Gulf, with barely 300,000 citizens and a total population of 1.7 million, Qatar has risen rapidly from obscurity to become the world's wealthiest country per capita. Matthew Gray traces this spectacular rise, exploring the development of Qatar's economy, the patterns of its politics, its role on the world stage, and its prospects for the future.

Qatar: Politics and the Challenges of Development

History

Middle East

Lynne Rienner Publishers, Inc.

The Economy of the Gulf States (World Economies)

Business & Money

Economics

Agenda Publishing

Examining Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, this title in the World Economies series provides a synthesis of the modern economic history and political economy of countries that collectively are a hugely important component within the global economy. Focusing on the period since 1945 and especially on the last twenty years, the book outlines the main factors to have shaped these diverse nations, including problems of state formation and ruling elite legitimacy, the role of oil and energy, the challenges of economic geography, the wider international political setting and its impacts, and constraints to economic reform. It also explores topics more often overlooked, such as the personalization of economics, social forces such as women, youth, and expatriate workers, climate change and environmental problems, and income distribution. The book highlights the key structures that have shaped Gulf economic systems tightly controlled by the state, and a core group of political elites including royal and merchant families. These frameworks include rentierism, new state capitalism, economic statecraft, and broad narratives of regime legitimacy in each country via which the book analyzes both similarities and differences between them. Assessing the full panoply of formal economic indicators and statistics, the book also considers human factors uniquely important to development. Concluding with an analysis of future challenges to the Gulf States' economies, this book provides a fascinating and insightful overview suitable for a range of students and professionals.

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Investing

Independently published

Options Trading for Beginners: A Complete Guide to Learn How to Make Money Investing with Options Trading (Options Trading Collection)

Shopify: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners to Start your Online E-Commerce Business by Shopify Stores (E-Commerce Business Collection)

Marketing & Sales

Shopify and Dropshipping for Beginners: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide to Make Money from Home with your Online E-Commerce Business (E-Commerce Business Collection)

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