About the book:

Collusion between business communities and the state can lead to a measure of security for those in power, but this kind of interaction often limits new development. In Syria, state-business involvement through informal networks has contributed to an erratic economy. With unique access to private businessmen and select state officials during a critical period of transition, this book examines Syria’s political economy from 1970 to 2005 to explain the nation’s pattern of state intervention and prolonged economic stagnation.

“Bassam Haddad has produced a path-breaking study of Syria’s political economy. With unequalled access to first hand sources, his work highlights the underlying political logics that have shaped Syria’s economy since the rise of the Baath Party to power half a century ago. He gives us unique insight into the relationships and connections around which the Syrian economy is organized and underscores the economic price that Syrians have paid as development strategies were subordinated to the demands of regime survival.”—Steven Heydemann, U.S. Institute of Peace

Bassam Haddad is Director of the Middle East Studies Program and teaches in the Department of Public and International Affairs at George Mason University, and is Visiting Professor at Georgetown University. He is the author of Business Networks in Syria: The Political Economy of Authoritarian Resilience (Forthcoming, 2011, Stanford University Press). Bassam serves as Founding Editor of the Arab Studies Journal a peer-reviewed research publication and is co-producer/director of the award-winning documentary film,  About Baghdad, and director of a critically acclaimed film series on Arabs and Terrorism, based on extensive field research/interviews. He recently directed a film on Arab/Muslim immigrants in Europe, titled The “Other” Threat. Bassam also serves on the Editorial Committee of Middle East Report and is Co-Founder/Editor of JadaliyyaEzine. He is currently a Visiting Scholar at Stanford’s Program for Good Governance and Political Reform in the Arab World.

Contact:

Marina Krikorian

Public Affairs Coordinator

phone: 202-687-6215

email: ccasevents@georgetown.edu

Sponsored by the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies