The Wages of Oil: Parliaments and Economic Development in Kuwait and the UAE

The Wages of Oil is a comprehensive and insightful book that provides a framework for understanding the future of Gulf monarchies.

With a focus on Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, Herb offers a detailed analysis of political and economic developments in the region.

The book sheds light on the factors driving Kuwait's lead in political liberalization and its lag in diversifying its economy away from oil, while contrasting this with the UAE's ambitious efforts to diversify.

Herb's political economy of the Gulf ties together a range of issues, including class divisions among citizens, the caste divide between citizens and noncitizens, and the politics of land.

This data-rich book is essential reading for decision-makers in the Gulf and scholars of the region, offering a nuanced understanding of the complex challenges facing these countries.