Please select one of the following and answer in minimum 3000 words:

1. Compare political economy of African and Middle Eastern developments from 1980s to present. Elaborate on the key terms, such as: neopatrimonialism, clientelism and rentierism.

Focus on analysis of the

i) impact of foreign aid and foreign debt on Neopatrimonial African state capacities and

ii)consequences of increasing oil revenues on political developments of the Middle Eastern Rentier states.

You are free to choose any country from each of two (Africa and Middle East) regions for comparison.

2. Discuss similarities and differences in political and economic developments of China and India. Are there variations in their responses to the 21st century globalizing world? Make sure to provide thorough discussion of economic reforms in both countries: agriculture, infrastructure and industrialization. Discuss the pursued strategies of both in tackling issues of poverty and inequality.