Does Oil Income Impede Democratization In Muslim– Majority Countries?

It is widely recognized that many developed countries have established democratic institutions, while the majority of developing countries are far from being democratic states (e.g. Acemoglu, 2008). One argument for this discrepancy is that there exists a strong relationship between democracy and the level of income. In developing countries that are highly dependent on oil, this resource has different effects on their economic and political institutions (e.g. Ross, 2001). Although the economic literature suggests that there is a positive relationship between the level of income and democracy, it seems that oil income, specifically, appears to prevent democratization in Muslim–majority countries. This paper will attempt to argue that oil is the main reason for the lack of democracy in Muslim– majority countries.