Footing between Middle Eastern Rentier-States and Their Citizens - Research Paper Example

Compare and Contrast Research Question The article by Shambyati discusses the relationship between a rentier state and the citizens and how this mutual relationship is developed based on the noneconomic factors. Author has outlined that the rentier states in Middle East have largely relied on non-tax revenue to run State’s affairs and as such has largely remained immune from the pressures of economic groups. Author therefore attempted to discuss the question of how the rentier states can actually develop their relationship with the citizens and what are some of the factors which can actively contribute towards the strengthening of this relationship?

The article by Ross contains the major research question which is based on the assumption of whether the oil actually results into the hurdles for democracy. The basic premise of this article therefore is focused on the question that with the increase in wealth a country should be democratic in nature however, Middle East as a region has not developed despite increase in the wealth. There are three important research questions being discussed by the author in this article include exploring the validity of the claim that oil actually undermines the democracy followed by whether geography of the oil rich regions affect the democracy and finally author attempted to explore the casual mechanism for this relationship between the two.

Theoretical Argument The major theoretical argument in Shambayati’s article is based on the assumption that the rentier states in Middle East region often rely on non-tax revenue sources. As a result of this, the overall pressure of the economic pressure groups is less. By citing the example of Iran and Turkey, Author has outlined the examples of two different countries suggesting that the legitimacy of state is derived from the cultural as well as the moral considerations in rentier states.

Author has further argued that the since rentier states are dependent upon external rents for their revenue therefore creating economic legitimacy is a secondary priority of such States. It is also because of this reason that the social classes cannot be a direct challenge to the State and its apparatus and State largely remain immune from such pressures. The overall theoretical argument in Ross’s article is based on the assumption that the oil may be strong deterrent for the flourishing of democracy in any country.

In order to answer the above mentioned three questions, author has explored different theoretical arguments such as rentier state, repression effect under which the richness of the resources actually allow the state to generate the funding required for the internal security and lastly the growth achieved through the export led economic policies often result into lack of social and cultural change required for the development and flourishing of democracy in any country. The overall arguments therefore are based upon the lack of different factors which combine together to produce the impact which result into the lack of flourishing the democracy in such countries.

Independent and Dependent Variable It may be difficult to establish the dependent and independent variables in Shambayati’s case because the author has outlined that the independent variable is the rentier state and the dependent variables are the overall interest groups and conflict between State and various social groups existing in the State. In Ross’s article the dependent variable in this article is regime whereas the independent variables are oil, minerals, Islam, OECD and Log Income.

Methods of Analysis Shambayati has used a mix of qualitative as well as quantitative methods of analysis in this article. The overall approach is qualitative in nature wherein the author has adapted to case study approach of discussing the case of Iran and Turkey. Case study approach provides a comprehensive overview of the different factors leading to the autonomy of state on the external factors for the purpose of its revenue generating capability. Author has also presented some statistics in terms of defining certain economic values such as taxes, exports, workers’ remittances etc in order to discuss the relationship between State and the citizens.

Ross however on the other hand also used a combination of qualitative as well as quantitative methods of analysis and the writer has used both the methods to perform data analysis. Author has initially produced a brief theoretical review of the existing literature and has discussed issues like rentier effect, repression and modernization effect to prove the case. Author has also used the regression analysis to explore and understand the relationship between democracy and availability of different minerals in an economy.

As such author has developed a regression model by taking into account different variables which include log income, Islam, OECD and minerals. These five independent variables are therefore tested in order to further explore the relationship between different variables before ascertaining their overall impact Conclusion The overall conclusion of Shambayati’s article is based on the assumptions that since Turkey relied heavily on the internal sources of revenue therefore it was manipulated by the business class and State as such bowed to the demands of this class.

Iran on the other hand however, due to its reliance on the external source of revenue and being a rentier state was able to alienate itself from this class and the elite has actually ruled the state without any significant challenge. Author however, argue that the rentier states are like double edged swords due to their reliance on external factors. The overall results of Ross’s study however, suggest that the antidemocratic nature of oil is substantial and the overall impact of oil and other minerals on the regime is non-linear in nature.

Author has further argued that the presence of oil in the poor states affect democracy in different manner as compared to a wealthy country. What is also significant to understand that the presence of oil and non-democratization is not just limited to the Middle East but other countries with similar resource base have also failed to achieve the same level of democratic progress as the non- oil producing countries of the West has made.