Does Oil Income Impede Democratization in Muslim-Majority Countries?

Abstract

Several recent studies point to the conclusions that there exists a strong relationship between democracy and the level of income. However, if income is coming from countries’ oil wealth, there is an exception to this claim; the positive effect of income in democracy is not observed. This paper argues that because of the oil income, Muslim – majority countries have not recorded significant democratization in their governments. Indeed, this paper shows the main mechanisms how oil income tends to lower the level of economic development in Muslim – majority countries, which prosperity positively relates to the level of democratization in these countries. The lack of democratization on these countries is explained by the low level of development due to 'natural resource curse'.

Keywords: oil income, Muslim–majority countries, democratization

JEL Classification: Q40, Q43, Q49