culture and economics in the ME

[Dhimmi]

Why sieze on the Iran-Iraq War? Is it not the case that the US bankrolled Iraq, while Israel supported the Iranians? Besides, I'm not sure what this has to do with how Iraq spent its oil revenues between 1958 and 1979. Iraq had a highly educated population with the highest number of PhDs per capita in the region.

It's not a seizure, it's a single mention in answer to you saying "Whatever you think of Iraq, prior to 2003, it used its oil revenues responsibly.". Are you suggesting that the war didn't cost Iraq a penny? Or would you agree that spending some of it's oil revenues on that war was irresponsible?
For me it's simply an example of another war for oil, whether it's driven by Hitler, Hussein or Bush it's unacceptable and should be objected to.

 

[nino_savatte]

It's not a seizure, it's a single mention in answer to you saying "Whatever you think of Iraq, prior to 2003, it used its oil revenues responsibly.". Are you suggesting that the war didn't cost Iraq a penny? Or would you agree that spending some of it's oil revenues on that war was irresponsible?
For me it's simply an example of another war for oil, whether it's driven by Hitler, Hussein or Bush it's unacceptable and should be objected to.

By the same token would you argue that the US spends its money wisely? I would also point you in the direction of Iraq's schools, universities and hospitals; all of them built with income from oil. The years before 2003 also include the years 1958 - 1979, which you deliberately seem to have missed that point.

It's a little facile of you to allege that I am suggesting the war "didn't cost Iraq a penny". Wars don't come cheaply ffs.

I guess you're going to tell me that Saddam Hussein was the first Iraqi leader to covet Kuwait too.

 

[Dhimmi]

By the same token would you argue that the US spends its money wisely?

Well of course I bloody well wouldn't. Had someone suggested they had prior to 2003 I'd have pointed out the irresponsible spending in those years.

I would also point you in the direction of Iraq's schools, universities and hospitals; all of them built with income from oil. The years before 2003 also include the years 1958 - 1979, which you deliberately seem to have missed that point.

I missed nothing, deliberately or otherwise. I merely pointed out that the Iran/Iraq war shouldn't be included in a claim of responsibility nor ignored. It's fortunate I didn't mention the invasion of Iraq. It's not just Iraq who've spent their revenues to benefit their folk though, although Libya remains my personal fave, with Brunei and Oman taking joint second.

It's a little facile of you to allege that I am suggesting the war "didn't cost Iraq a penny". Wars don't come cheaply ffs.

I made no such allegation simply asked a question.
I must admit I was playing devil's advocate in asking questions at a tangent in the way that you did. It's singularly irritating isn't it?

I guess you're going to tell me that Saddam Hussein was the first Iraqi leader to covet Kuwait too.

Guess away and bring on the dancing rolleyes.

I'm not sure why you find someone who supports your general point so objectionable.

 

[nino_savatte]

Well of course I bloody well wouldn't. Had someone suggested they had prior to 2003 I'd have pointed out the irresponsible spending in those years.



I missed nothing, deliberately or otherwise. I merely pointed out that the Iran/Iraq war shouldn't be included in a claim of responsibility nor ignored. It's fortunate I didn't mention the invasion of Iraq. It's not just Iraq who've spent their revenues to benefit their folk though, although Libya remains my personal fave, with Brunei and Oman taking joint second.



I made no such allegation simply asked a question.
I must admit I was playing devil's advocate in asking questions at a tangent in the way that you did. It's singularly irritating isn't it?



Guess away and bring on the dancing rolleyes.

I'm not sure why you find someone who supports your general point so objectionable.

You didn't "support my general point", you alleged that Iraq has used its oil revenues solely for the purpose of prosecuting wars against its neighbours. The examples of Brunei and Oman are a little wide of the mark too.


You can shove your dancing rolling eyes up your arse, friend. Not sure what your game is but I'm not playing.

 

[Backatcha Bandit]

Try to get

"A Political Economy of the Middle East"
Alan Richards & John Waterbury
second edition
Westview Press, Boulder, Colorado/ Oxford
ISBN 0-8133-2411-4

This one (£25): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Political-E...ef=sr_1_4/026-7845741-8564409?ie=UTF8&s=books

-or would this one do (£1.65): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Political-E...13301564/ref=pd_ecc_rvi_1/026-7845741-8564409 ?

...At least it's not this one (£600+): http://www.amazon.co.uk/Political-Economy-Middle-East-Vol-2/dp/1858984432

 

[Aldebaran]

Going on the looks of the cover and the ISBN it surely is the one under the first link.

Possibly the second link refers to the first edition with the risk to contain some outdated information.

The third link... Looks interesting at first sight, but you never know until you start reading, isn't it. I don't know these series (I don't have much works written in English) but if you want I can ask around for (academic) opinions.

salaam.