The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East

Between the years 1000 and 1800, the Middle East—a region that was early on at least as advanced as Europe—failed to economize modernly and thus fell drastically behind the West. What caused this, and why does the Middle East remain drastically underdeveloped? Today on Focus, we'll explore the history of this region with political scientist and Islamic Studies professor Timur Kuran.

Guest: Timur Kuran, Ph.D. (Professor of Economics and Political Science & Gorter Family Professor of Islamic Studies at Duke University; author of The Long Divergence: How Islamic Law Held Back the Middle East).