Institutional Contrasts & Economic Challenges in the Middle East

This report provides a comparative analysis of the political, economic, legal, and cultural institutions of the Middle East and the Western World, highlighting key contrasts and their implications. It addresses the compatibility of Christianity with democratic and capitalistic principles, examining why democracies and market economies have flourished in Western Europe and North America. The report further explores the paradox of the Middle East's vast oil reserves not translating into widespread prosperity, outlining the main challenges for economic development in the region, including internal conflicts, unequal wealth distribution, and lack of strategic planning. Finally, it offers recommendations for foreign companies operating in the Middle East, emphasizing the importance of cultural understanding, ethical business practices, and strategic partnerships. The report concludes that globalization has profound significance for the region's stability and economy, while also acknowledging the disproportionate growth between and within nations.

Individual report

Contents
Contents...........................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
1. What are the major contrasts among political, economic, legal and cultural institutions of
Middle east as well as those of Western World? Which is the most important and Why...........1
2. Is Christianity incompatible with democratic as well as capitalistic principle? If so, why
have democratises as well as market forces societies flourished in Western Europe addition to
North America?...........................................................................................................................2
3. The oil is such a major energy source for the global economy, why is Middle East not more
prosperous? What are the main challenges for economic development in Middle East.............3
4. Recommendations for foreign companies in Middle East.......................................................4
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5

INTRODUCTION
Globalisation is termed to the ways in which trade and technology resulted in making the
world connected addition to interdependent locations (Maleki, 2018). It is a shift for most
integrated along with interdependent economies. It enhanced flow of goods, services, capital,
people, and ideas across international boundaries that flourished development worldwide. It
provided all nations accessibility to wider pool of talents and advanced technologies for
achieving success.
The coursework highlights contrast among institutions of Middle East and Western World. It
also included incompatibility of Christianity with democratic and capitalist principles, main
challenges for economic development in Middle East and some recommendations to foreign
companies in Middle East.
MAIN BODY
1. What are the major contrasts among political, economic, legal and cultural institutions of
Middle east as well as those of Western World? Which is the most important and Why.
Middle East and Western World both have different perceptions for power as well as
power distance. Within Middle East and Western World, there are no real contrasts in political
institutions as both are intertwined with classical theocracies. The autocratic nature of political
institutions of Middle East and Western World is a powerful force for centralisation of political
power. Autocracies are related with self-interest as well as corruption and the majority of
citizens’ view hereditary heads of states as benevolent leaders that serve the needs of people as
per principles of religions. In major part of these areas, benevolent addition to stable autocracies
are seen as preferable for volatile democratic systems in which powerful lobbies and pressure
groups makes usage of financial contributions for distorting processes adopted by political
leaders. In essence, political institutions of the both popularise corruptive elements of systems of
each other.
It has been analysed that cultural institutions of Middle East and Western World are
different from each other because of behaviour and attitude of population. People belonging to
Middle East are more traditional along with conservative than population of Western World
when they consider rituals, clothing, customs, etc (Asongu, 2021). Institutions in Western World
are more open minded and flexible against that of institutions of Middle East as they are
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traditional and conservative. For instance, population in Middle East are rigid for ideologies
addition to beliefs as they are often reluctant to challenge together with question long practiced
customs and traditions. While, people belonging to Middle East pay respect to elders through
touching feet, uses bows for greetings, thanking addition to apologising.
In association to economic factor, Middle East is plagued with larger public sector as well
as weaker private sector. The economic mix is unsustainable as well as results in failure of states.
However, Western world follows free market economy that is based on movement of capital and
hence forth.
In relevance to legal aspect, institutions in Middle East follows principle of civil law which
are codified. There are four sources of the law that are followed in Middle East including Koran
as direct expression of divine will, the Hadith as teaching of Prophet himself, Ijma and Qiyas that
covers decision areas. Human rights became more threatening to regimes of Middle East which
overwhelming undemocratic. In contrast, legal system of Western World is seen inforce across
the world in number of former European colonies. It ranges with clinical along with mooting
opportunities and unparalleled experiences of people.
In context to Middle East and Western World, Western World is important as it involves
understanding of significance of capitalism, human rights, democracy, modern technology and
stable economy. It also leads to extension of life expectancy and involves superior values.
2. Is Christianity incompatible with democratic as well as capitalistic principle? If so, why have
democratises as well as market forces societies flourished in Western Europe addition to
North America?
It has been analysed that Christianity is compatible with democratic and capitalistic
principle as Christians to adopt capitalism and come close for deifying it. In practice, capitalism
and democracy in Christianity is seen as centre right on social, cultural addition to moral issues,
however, centre left with respect to civil rights, foreign policy and environment. Christians
democrats support social market economy.
On other hand, democratises and market forces have flourished North America and
Western Europe because of growth of countries with access to technologies, people. Capital and
many more. Democracy has tied economic growth of North America and Western Europe
through improving educative institutions along with healthcare (Majeed, 2018). Moreover,
market forces promoted free competition in Western Europe as well as North America that
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contributed in enhancement of production, innovation and efficiency leading to flourishing
towards development. Democracy and market forces together flourished Western Europe and
North America through bringing new opportunities comprising greater access to global markets,
holds out promise improved productivity and increased efficiency as well as accelerate
technology transfer from more developed countries.
3. The oil is such a major energy source for the global economy, why is Middle East not more
prosperous? What are the main challenges for economic development in Middle East
The oil is considered as a major energy source for the global economy as it is helpful in
supporting development. There are various products which are formulated or developed with the
help and support of oil which helps in economic development all over the world. The oil is
helpful in development of various products which are solvents like Nylon Rope, Water pipes,
Tennis rackets. The Diesel fuel is also made up of oil which is useful for whole world in
transportation based activities. Middle east is the largest exporter of oil and earns major amount
by exporting oil. The prosperity of a country or region depends not only on money but on
different factors which are related to society and its development. Government of middle east
countries should focus on development of major programs which are effective in developing
major advantage for the society. It is also essential for the people of Middle east to follow all the
major policies and regulations developed by government in order to focus on overall
development. The prosperity of a country also depends on concept of welfare government which
is ready to do welfare of all citizens. In the recent times, all major governments of different
countries focus on developing major policies which are helpful in achievement of overall
prosperity. It is also essential for the government to develop a major strategic and planning
framework for development of prosperity in the country. The oil producing countries should
form an association and look for development of major strategies which are helpful in increasing
the prosperity. Middle is not prosperous because, it lacks in development of a major strategy by
the government which is formulated to increase the prosperity (Newnham, 2021). Also there are
various conflicts and protest based situations in Syria, Libya and Yemen which create major
violence in the economy. The arrangement of living standard of people is also low which puts a
question mark on the prosperity of Middle east. The distribution of funds by government is also
unequal in the economy of Middle East which puts a major impact on prosperity. Also the
utilisation of resources in middle east economy is not done in a proper manner which puts a
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major impact on its prosperity. The unequal distribution of wealth in these countries also make
them poor in all over the world. People of Middle East who have oil fields also do not believe in
welfare of poor sections of the society. It is major role and responsibility of government of
middle east countries to focus on key development based factors for all round growth of the
economy. In order to bring effectiveness in prosperity of country, it is necessary for the
government to develop long term plans and focus on effective approach. The implementation of
government policies and plans should be developed with effective supervision and control in
order to develop the regions.
The main challenges which are arising in economic development in Middle east includes
lack of supervision from the government. Lack of supervision from the government creates
loopholes in the country and put a prohibition on development. Another major challenge for
developing economy of Middle east includes poverty which is rising day by day. In the middle
east regions like Syria and Libya there is extreme poverty which is very hard to be handled by
government. Also the rising terrorism based practices in the middle east regions are considered
as one of the major challenges for government in promoting development. Communism and
rising social groups in the Middle east regions is also a major challenge for the government. In
order to deal with the communism, it is essential for the government to promote social inclusion.
Rising unemployment in middle east countries is also one of the major issues for government
which puts a major question mark on development. All major oil producing companies should
help government of middle east by giving tax in a honest manner. Another major challenge for
the government of middle east is, rising global warming which is creating environment based
impact on different regions.
4. Recommendations for foreign companies in Middle East
It is essential for foreign companies to follow major recommendations in order to conduct
successful business at the marketplace. The companies should be careful while selecting and
managing local business partners as it is major factor. Foreign companies in the Middle East
should also develop and formulate friendship with different local companies as Arabs believe in
the concept of friendship. The foreign companies should also focus on learning culture of Middle
east in order to develop successful trade and business practices. The employment based
legislations should be also followed by foreign companies in order to perform all major
operations in well-defined and systematic manner. It is also one of the major responsibility of
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foreign companies to follow major principles of ethical business to develop successful business
practices in the foreign marketplace. All major companies should focus on development based
approaches in the international marketplace with implementation of strategic and planning
framework. The foreign companies in Middle East should also focus on development of effective
parameters which are crucial in management of cultural practices. The foreign companies should
also focus on development of effective and major strategies which are important for overall
enhancement of business. In the middle East, foreign companies should also perform foreign
direct investment with the help and support of financial experts. The risk minimisation models
should be also used by different foreign companies to minimise risk associated with the
operations. The business entities should also use professional tools and techniques in order to
deal with various consequences faced by operations and production management. In the
corporate world, it is also necessary for the companies to analyse all major challenges and deal
with them with help of IT experts. The information and technology is also one of the major
factors which should be developed and implemented in a precise manner by various companies
to deal with different operations. It will be helpful in increasing all major functions and activities
in a quick and accurate manner.
CONCLUSION
From the presented information, it is concluded that globalisation contributes in stable
economic growth in Middle East and Western World. Impacts of globalisation on different
countries have profound significance for regions stability and economy at global level. It
introduce disproportionate growth between and within nations that impacted in management
economically and morally. Challenges faced for economic development in Middle East includes
rigid policies and regulations developed by government, low arrangement of living standard of
people and hence forth.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Asongu, S., 2021. An empirical analysis of human trafficking in an era of
globalization. European Xtramile Centre of African Studies WP/21/020.
Majeed, M.T., 2018. Quality of life and globalization: Evidence from Islamic countries. Applied
Research in Quality of Life, 13(3), pp.709-725.
Maleki, A., 2018. Environmental Politics in the Middle East.
Newnham, R., 2021. James Henderson and Arild Moe, The Globalization of Russian Gas:
Political and Commercial Catalysts. European Review of International Studies, 8(1),
pp.104-106.
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