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A Problem You Just Could Not Live Without: Globalization, Neoliberal Islamism and Informal Sector in Cairo’s Dual Economy

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Dirty Cities

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

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Abstract

Whereas the ‘dark side’ of globalization usually takes the form of offshore accounts and money laundering in the financial centres of the Anglosphere (Gamble 2003; Talani 2012), the main implications of global economic integration are manifested in remarkably different ways in the capitals of developing countries. Cairo is no exception in this respect, particularly as the financial core of the region has in the past decade shifted decisively towards the Gulf sheikhdoms (Elsheshtawy 2006). As outlined by other contributors in this second part of the collection, the informal sector, and how migrant flows contribute to it, appears as the aspect most visibly affected by globalization in the developing world. Informality, with a specific focus on the housing sector and the labour market, also constitutes the main focus of this chapter.

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© 2013 Roberto Roccu

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Roccu, R. (2013). A Problem You Just Could Not Live Without: Globalization, Neoliberal Islamism and Informal Sector in Cairo’s Dual Economy. In: Talani, L.S., Clarkson, A., Pardo, R.P. (eds) Dirty Cities. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137343154_7

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