This book seeks to explain the political and religious factors leading to the economic reversal of fortunes between Europe and the Middle East.

Jared Rubin is an Associate Professor of Economics at Chapman University, California. His research on the relationship between political and religious institutions and their role in economic development has appeared in numerous leading economics journals.

1. Introduction; Part I. Propagation of Rule: A Theory of Economic Success and Stagnation: 2. The propagation rule; 3. Historical origins of rule propagation; Part II. Applying the Theory: Why the West Got Rich and the Middle East Did Not: 4. Bans on taking interest; 5. Restrictions on the printing press; 6. Printing and the Reformation; 7. Success: England and the Dutch Republic; 8. Stagnation: Spain and the Ottoman Empire; 9. Conclusion.