In this thesis I attempt to show that there is no apparent good reason why one ought to embrace the sceptic’s claim that international relations lies beyond the pale of moral inquiry. The state, in the sceptic’s view, grounds its foreign policy in the national interest and not in morality. To assert otherwise is to mistake the fundamental essence of international relations--a claim resting on the assumption that “morality” and “interest” are either antithetical or epistemologically distinct objects of study. On reflection, however, one must have--at the very least--some kind of conceptual understanding about the idea “the national interest” before such a claim can be sustained. Although much has been said by many authors about the kinds of substantive policies which, in their respective views, actually serve the national interest-- e.g., policies which contribute to the maintenance or enhancement of national power--the idea of “the national interest” itself has attracted very little conceptual scrutiny. In this study, then, I attempt to shift the focus away from a concentration on the standards for determining whether this or that policy actually serves the national interest to a concentration on the idea of the national interest itself. Before this logically prior task is completed--an immense task for which my contribution can be interpreted as only a small one--there is no reason to embrace the notion that “morality” and “interest” are either antithetical or categorically distinct. This is particularly true if, through such an analysis, “the national interest” proves to be a categorically moral idea--viz., if it proves to be a proper object of study for students of moral and political philosophy. / Arts, Faculty of / Political Science, Department of / Graduate

This study investigated the effect the price of oil has on enabling political establishments to maintain their presence within the business environment. The study consists of three different case studies with each of the states (Saudi Arabia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates) being chosen based upon their level of state involvement within the business community. Each case study investigated whether the price of oil had any effect on influencing the amount of political involvement within the business community, property rights or trade freedom. The findings for all three case studies suggest that the price of oil has little to no effect on determining the amount of influence the state possesses within the business environment. Based on the results of this investigation, recommendations were made to improve the United States relationship with each country. Additional analysis and recommendations were made concerning the future economic impact of Iraq relying solely on oil as its revenue source.

Note:

No description available.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-122). Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (M.A.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 2004. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 115-122). Also available on the Internet.

No description available.

No description available.

This thesis analyzes how the Ottomans attempted to survive under the intensified British threat in the Persian Gulf during the period of Abd&uuml / lhamid II (1876-1909). British statesmen at that time and Western sources inspired by these political elites have argued that there was no British menace that aimed to undermine the Ottoman presence in the Persian Gulf but that the Ottomans could not rule and hold the region. This thesis argues the contrary, that there was a formidable British threatening policy toward the Ottoman presence in the Persian Gulf which aimed at keeping the Ottomans out of the region by various effective means, particularly by using local autonomous sheikhs who served as prot&eacute / g&eacute / s in undermining the Ottoman administration in the Gulf region. Furthermore, this thesis argues that the Ottomans generated policy for the region that has formed in response to the British threat. In this regard, the Ottoman government generated several responses, which were also reforms for the local people and administration in the Gulf region, to avert the British threat / however the Ottomans faced the serious challenges of Britain and the autonomous sheikhs in the realization of these responses. In all, this study concludes that the Ottoman Empire did not control the region completely and effectively owing not to its incompetence, yet the British policy did not allow for the Ottoman presence in the region.

Note: / As a result of its military campaigns for religious and political reform during the latter half ot the eighteenth century, the Su'udi principality at the al-Dir'iyah developed into a powerful state. It first brought the districts of central Arabia under its control and later annexed the region of al-Hasa. [...]