Deze auteur duikt in de ingewikkelde relatie tussen cultuur en architectuur. Zijn werken verkennen vaak hoe de fysieke omgeving menselijke waarden en maatschappelijke structuren weerspiegelt en vormgeeft. Door gedetailleerde analyse onderzoekt hij hoe historische en sociale krachten onze wereld vormen. Zijn schrijven wordt gewaardeerd om zijn diepgang en unieke perspectief.
In the year 1000, the economy of the Middle East was at least as advanced as that of Europe. But by 1800, the region had fallen dramatically behind. What caused this long divergence? And why does the Middle East remain drastically underdeveloped compared to the West? This title provides an answer to these long-debated questions.
The doctrine of 'Islamic economics' entered debates over the social role of Islam in the mid-twentieth century. Since then it has pursued the goal of restructuring economies according to perceived Islamic teachings. This book argues that the doctrine of Islamic economics is simplistic, incoherent, and largely irrelevant to economic challenges.
Freedoms Delayed is written for educated readers interested in the deep historical forces that account for the Middle East's poor record on basic human freedoms. It shows that the region's traditional institutions are critical to both understanding its political history and identifying its potential for liberalization on various fronts.