The violence of petro-dollar regimes : Algeria, Iraq, and Libya /

Martinez offers fresh insight and analysis on the issue of the "resource curse" and its impact on economic development, focusing on three countries, Algeria, Libya, and Iraq. He considers whether they "are victims of the oil curse," correctly pointing out that Norway avoided the "curse" even though it is endowed with oil riches. Martinez nudges readers to consider other factors in economic development (e.g., the role of institutions or good governance) but fears that what may work for Norway will not work for undemocratic oil states. Nevertheless, it is a start. The author adds to the discussion of the "authoritarian syndrome" issue, which a number of other standard treatments on the oil curse leave out. An oil privatization scheme whereby oil revenues are distributed directly to the citizens would address the key problems Martinez outlines in Algeria, Iraq, and Libya. This is not addressed in the book, which nevertheless is well written and argued and very accessible to a wide audience, including undergraduate students. Martinez has made an important contribution to the literature on the role of oil in economic development, particularly in light of the Arab spring and ongoing developments in the Middle East and North Africa. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Public, academic, and professional collections. M. Akacem Metropolitan State University of Denver