Farshad Momeni; Ismail Aalizad; Vahid Mirebeigi
Abstract
For years researchers have associated the developmental problems of countries possessing natural resources like oil with the very fact of the possession of such resources. The numerous studies of this field have mostly focused on the theories of the Rentier State and the Resource Curse. Today, with the ...
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For years researchers have associated the developmental problems of countries possessing natural resources like oil with the very fact of the possession of such resources. The numerous studies of this field have mostly focused on the theories of the Rentier State and the Resource Curse. Today, with the advent of empirical research and theoretical criticism, there is little doubt with regards to the shortcomings of the classic theories of the field. The latest research has also attempted to mitigate the extremes of the classic theories of rentierism which usually cover a limited scope of the suggested outcomes of rentierism, and such theories have not formed a comprehensive and elaborate theory, nor have they presented an appropriate ideal type of the rentier state for historical investigations. The present paper presents a critical survey of the literature on rentierism, focusing on one main question: how can this theory be improved? With respect to this question, at first, rentierism literature will be reviewed, then the institutionalist theory of Douglass North shall be introduced. By recognizing the advantages and disadvantages of both theories, the present paper goes on to formulate new conceptual framework named the "Rentier Limited Access Order". Not only is this framework rooted in both theories, but it also goes beyond them and delivers new insights with which rentier states can be studied.
Abstract
Rentier states, has been faced with serious political and economic problems. In these countries, A major part of their revenues not from taxes but from the sale of natural resources extracted is provided. And some certain theories for the study of political economy of that countries came into existence. ...
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Rentier states, has been faced with serious political and economic problems. In these countries, A major part of their revenues not from taxes but from the sale of natural resources extracted is provided. And some certain theories for the study of political economy of that countries came into existence. These are called Rentierism theories. These theories focus on the outcomes and harmful effects of Rentierism. These Effects and Outcomes returns to different fields of economy, politics and society. These Effects and Outcomes included not only the global market volatility that undermines the national economy but also unusual empowering rentier state/government. In this study Rentierism dimensions has been identified as a counterpoint to good governance dimensions. And the pattern of good governance has been identified as a democratic alternative of Rentierism. The governance pattern was investigated in six countries that rely on rent to varying degrees. These research was conducted with comparative-historical method, based on World Bank data. The results showed that Rentierism theories has serious limitations, because a more-rentier government does not always act in such a way as undemocratic and with bad governance, and conversely a less-rentier government, does not always act in such a democratic and with good governance. Finally, offered some suggestions for the development of Rentierism theories.
