Economic Development in the Middle East examines the economic indicators of the Middle East which, despite its oil resources, is falling behind other regions of the developing world, notably the countries of South East Asia. Rodney Wilson considers the economic consequences of rapid population gropwth, the absence of significant private capital inflows and foreign investment, fragmentation in the banking system and insignificant bond markets. Economic Development in the Middle East also examines the basic infrastructure, excessive military expenditures, trade, falling oil prices, and deficits.

Wilson stresses that both the goals of development and the methods used to promote development have to be reassessed for a region where Islamic value system prevails. Ultimately, development values which respect Muslim values may have a greater chance of sucess than those simply imported from the West.