Misplaced Applications of Economic Theory to the Middle East

Tyler Cowen in this issue proposes an application of publicchoice and game theory as a means of understanding the MiddleEast conflict and viewing the ``Road Map for Middle EastPeace''. Cowen's approach is not based on appreciation of the``hidden agendas and rules of the game'' that are present inthe Middle East. Economic theory may indeed usefullycontribute to understanding aspects of the Middle East war,but through different avenues and in different directions fromthose suggested by Cowen. In this paper I suggest a viewconsistent with the institutional characteristics of theconflict and the objectives of the participants.