The Economy of Iraq: Oil, Wars, Destruction of Development and Prospects, 1950-2010

The economy of Iraq has fluctuated wildly since the 1950s. It has been affected by changes in government, by wars, and by general instability. This book analyzes a complex subject and is especially timely at this critical juncture in the history of Iraq, the Middle East, and international relations. Abbas Alnasrawi traces the growth of the economy of Iraq since 1950, assesses its present state of crisis and underdevelopment, and explores its prospects for recovery. Alnasrawi contends that the economic development of Iraq was shaped by the rise of oil revenue, the Iran-Iraq war, and the invasion of Kuwait and its aftermath. The volume takes a clearsighted and critical look at the evolution of these forces and their impact on the evolution of the economy, along with its present status and prospects.