SESGO AUTORITARIO Y DEPENDENCIA DE RECURSOS NATURALES (1): UN ANÁLISIS DEL EFECTO RENTISTA EN LOS PAÍSES MUSULMANES

Authors

  • HÉCTOR CEBOLLA BOADO

Keywords:

Islam, democracy, fuel/oil, rentier states, political regime.

Abstract

This article argues that the authoritarian bias often seen in Muslim countries is not the outcome of any inherent contradiction between Islam and democracy. On the contrary, this bias —which is empirically confirmed here— seems to be the result of the over-representation of rentier states among the Muslim countries. The list of countries where over half the population is Muslim includes many of the biggest oil and fuel exporters on the planet. The rents coming from these natural resources allow governments to lower tax burdens whilst increasing public expenditure. This helps to disarticulate the demands of certain social groups for greater freedom and transparency.

Published

2008-03-24

Issue

Section

ARTICLES