Middle East: Changing Economic and Social Patterns

What causes economic and social change in the Middle East?

Modernization Four Goals Changes in a nation that enable it to set up a stable government and produce a high level of goods and services

1. After independence a major goal of Middle Eastern nations was to reduce European economic influences. Socialism: a system in which the government owns and operates major businesses and controls other parts of the economy – nationalized industries: acquisition and operation of a business formerly owned privately/foreign owned =mixed successes nationalized industries: acquisition and operation of a business formerly owned privately/foreign owned =mixed successes Today: Government takes leading role: directing economic growth and privatized some nationalized industries

2. Population growth poses a challenge to modernization in the Middle East 2. Population growth poses a challenge to modernization in the Middle East. Population explosion has strained resources: limited farmland and water Family planning program initiated by gov’t

3. Governments have worked to modernized agriculture in the Middle East. goal to increase cash crop output = increase income new water supplies – Irrigation; desalination plants, Aswan High Dam Land reform: redistribution of land Green Revolution: use of technology to improve agriculture

4. Oil has played an important role in the Middle East. near 60% of world’s oil reserves – some nations have prospered – unevenly distributed near 60% of world’s oil reserves – some nations have prospered – unevenly distributed Guest workers OPEC: influences world markets (cartel) formed to control production, competition, and prices formed to control production, competition, and prices Helps nations modernize US and Foreign Oil Link US and Foreign Oil Link

5. Middle Eastern cities have undergone rapid growth. urbanization because of population explosion and hope for better life Youth adapt better to the change in customs from rural to city – Generational conflict compete for limited jobs shantytowns

Slums of Ein El Sira

6. The status of women in Middle Eastern societies is changing. Varies new opportunities in cities: work/education Choose between economic opportunities and loyalty to traditional ways of life Show 60 Minutes DVD Saudi Women – 13 mins 2015: women are supposed to be given right o vote and hold local office 2015: women are supposed to be given right o vote and hold local office Bikes and Saudi WomenBikes and Saudi Women Video 2mins Bikes and Saudi Women Malala - Videos Daily Show (16 mins) - NY Times Daily Show (16 mins) - NY Times Daily ShowNY Times Daily ShowNY Times Religious Police Article – Dare to Drive TED Dare to Drive TEDDare to Drive TED

7. Middle Eastern nations have placed great emphasis on education. since 1950’s: great progress Oil money helped More boys than girls More urban than rural Population explosion strains on educational resources essential to a nation’s population to reduce economic dependence on the West and promote modernization

What caused the economic and social changes in the Middle East? Modernization