The rentier state is based on a circulation or allocation-type
economy, where “the state is the main engine of this circulation or
allocation function vis-à-vis the various economic sectors and social
groups.” The government in the rentier state is also the ultimate
employer, and citizens aspire to work for their governments,
as government jobs are the most widely respected.52 Therefore, the
best and the brightest are rewarded with government jobs, and
“demeaning” occupations such as those requiring manual labor are
dolled out to foreign workers. Thus, the rentier mentality is a serious
blow to work ethics. Laboring for one’s income is considered
shameful, so nationals of the state have little motive to produce.