The economies of many underdeveloped or developing countries are limited in their capacity to achieve more for citizens because capital is a significant issue-without foreign investment, most countries that fall into that category have significant problems in stimulating their economies because funds are not available for business development, infrastructure and social programs that are necessary to improve the quality of life for citizens. In looking at these issues, one might compare certain regions experiencing problems relative to economic growth. Central and Latin America, for example, have made significant strides in recent years in terms of addressing social and political unrest, with most installing democratic forms of government and beginning to address economic and social issues. Most of the countries are hampered in this process because the economic development that will lead to the provision of social reforms has been difficult because of the countries' overall wealth. In comparison, many Gulf countries are wealthy but not necessarily any better off in terms of development. In both cases, national wealth tends to be concentrated among five percent or less of the country's population and in the case of Gulf countries, in the hands of the royal family. The Arab Human Development Report 2002 provides insight into the question of whether wealthy Gulf States are developed as well as information that is specific to the current situation in Saudi Arabia, one of the more westernized countries in that region. These issues are particularly critical as the economic and social conditions in Gulf states are determined to be a significant cause of a rise in terrorism in general and precipitated the attacks on the World Trade Centers and the Pentagon in particular.
             In order to better understand the situation in Saudi Arabia, it is valuable to look at the environment in the Gulf states in general. Like many of the Cent...