This book provides a data-based approach to present and future developments in the Muslim world. This is an unusual approach to this topic that highlights important underlying forces in current and projected future economic and social behaviour that range from prices of gasoline to terrorism and related activities. In the context of the rich histories of Muslim cultures, the effects of rapid changes in economic and social trends are examined, as well as the effect of Western policies which have often exacerbated underlying tensions in these fast-growing populations, extending to the trouble and hostilities that are currently being manifested in proposed interpretations by al-Qaeda and similar organizations. This volume also suggests an approach that deals with the high illiteracy rates and inadequate education facilities in many Muslim countries. It is a new volume in the established "ISETE" series. It focuses on the economics of the Muslim world, including hot topics such as terrorism and oil-prices.

W.W. Cooper is the Foster Parker Professor of Finance and Management in the Red McCombs School of Business and the Nadya Kozmetsky Scott Fellow of the IC2 Institute of the University of Texas at Austin. Author or coauthor of more than 500 scientific-professional articles and 27 books or monographs, he holds honorary D.Sc. degrees from Ohio State and Carnegie Mellon Universities in the U.S. and the degree of Doctor Honoris Causa at the University of Alicante in Spain. A fellow of the Econometric and other societies, he is in the Accounting Hall of Fame and the International Operational Research Hall of Fame maintained by the International Federation of Operational Research Societies. Piyu Yue is a Principal Investigator in the IC2 Institute of the University of Texas at Austin. A Ph.D. in Economics she was formerly a member of the staff of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis and is the author of several books.