Economic Injustice is Anchoring Itself in the Arab World
The Middle East and North Africa is characterized by inequalities, and this will have profound consequences for economic growth, social cohesion, and, ultimately, political stability in the region.
The Political Economy Program will analyze the different crises afflicting the region, examine the politics of austerity and inequality, and review the adjustment and transformation challenges many economies are facing.
Socioeconomic discontent has been rising in several countries of the Middle East and North Africa. In 2019, there was a surge of protests in these countries, including Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon, Morocco, Jordan, and Algeria, which did not experience the Arab uprisings of 2010–2011. Beyond calling for changes in their political systems, protesters demanded a comprehensive overhaul of their economic systems as well, denouncing soaring prices, wealth disparities, elite capture of resources and rent streams, and the absence of economic justice.
The Middle East and North Africa is marked by exceptionally high economic inequality compared to other regions of the world. The COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ensuing debt, food and energy crises that hit the region, have further exacerbated socioeconomic disparities. This has left the most vulnerable and marginalized segments of the population struggling to keep up with food shortages, price fluctuations, increases in temperatures due to climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and limited government spending on public services. Combating inequality has not been a priority of governments in the region. However, it should be, given the implications for economic growth, social cohesion, and the potential to undermine representative institutions and consolidate populist regimes.
