Political Economy of Investment in Syria

Linda Matar is Research Fellow at The National University of Singapore. Her research involves the political economy of the Arab Near East with particular emphasis on Syria. Her recent publications include the article 'Twilight of 'state capitalism' in formerly 'socialist' Arab states' (The Journal of North African Studies, 2013).

• 1. Introduction2. Review of the Theoretical Framework on Investment Decisions3. Investment Promotion in Developing Countries4. Class and State Capitalism in Syria5. Investment Liberalisation during the Hafiz Assad Regime: Moving to a 'Freer' Market6. Economic Liberalisation as an Irreversible Trend during the Bashar Regime: The Socioeconomic Fuel of the Syrian Crisis7. Conclusion: Difficult Exit from a Prolonged Conflict