Tribalism and Political Power in the Gulf: State-Building and National Identity in Kuwait, Qatar and the UAE

This book examines the political role of tribes in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, exploring how they hinder or advance popular participation in government and exert domestic political power. It traces the historical relationship between ruling elites and nomadic tribes and how they serve as major political actors in the Gulf. It also explores how societies in the Gulf have become "re-bedouinized" in the modern era and how this has shaped their political processes and institutions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Gulf societies are frequently characterized as being intensely tribal, yet the role of tribalism and tribal identity in discussions of state building and national identity is often overlooked. This book aims to analyze the political role of tribes in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, with a focus on understanding the extent to which tribes hinder or advance popular participation in government and exert domestic political power. The research traces the historical relationship between ruling elites and nomadic tribes, and by constructing political histories of these states and analyzing the role of tribes in domestic political life and social hierarchies, reveals how they serve as major political actors in the Gulf.

A key focus of the book is understanding the extent to which societies in the Gulf have become "re-bedouinized" in the modern era and how this has shaped their political processes and institutions. The book explores the roles that tribes play in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking today, and how they are likely to be influential in the future within rentier environments.

Tribes play a significant role in the political landscape of the Gulf region, with their influence extending beyond their traditional roles in nomadic herding and agriculture. In Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, tribes have emerged as powerful political actors, exerting influence over government policies, decision-making processes, and social hierarchies.

One of the primary ways in which tribes exert their political power is through their participation in government. In Kuwait, for example, tribes play a significant role in the country's political system, with members holding positions in the government, including the cabinet and parliament. Tribes also have influence over local government, with many tribes holding positions in municipal councils and other local bodies.

Tribes also play a role in shaping social hierarchies and identity in the Gulf region. In Kuwait, for example, tribes are divided into various subgroups, each with its own distinct identity and customs. These subgroups often compete for power and influence within the country, with some being more dominant than others. This competition can lead to tensions and conflicts, particularly in areas where resources are scarce.

Tribes also play a role in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking in the Gulf region. In Kuwait, for example, the government has implemented policies aimed at promoting social and economic development, including programs to improve education and healthcare. These policies have been influenced by tribal leaders, who have advocated for policies that benefit their communities and promote their interests.

However, the role of tribes in the Gulf region is not without its challenges. One of the primary challenges is the lack of formal political institutions and processes that can effectively represent and engage tribal communities. This can lead to a lack of representation and participation in government decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized and minority tribes.

Another challenge is the potential for tribalism to undermine national unity and stability. In some cases, tribal affiliations can be used as a political tool to gain power and influence, leading to divisions and conflicts within society. This can be particularly problematic in countries with diverse ethnic and religious populations, where tribal affiliations can be a source of division and conflict.

To address these challenges, it is important to promote greater political participation and representation for tribal communities. This can include establishing formal political institutions that can represent and engage tribal communities, such as tribal councils or representative bodies. It can also include promoting greater education and awareness of tribal rights and responsibilities, as well as promoting dialogue and understanding between different tribal communities.

In conclusion, Gulf societies are often characterized as being intensely tribal, yet the role of tribalism and tribal identity in discussions of state building and national identity is often overlooked. This book aims to analyze the political role of tribes in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, with a focus on understanding the extent to which tribes hinder or advance popular participation in government and exert domestic political power. The research traces the historical relationship between ruling elites and nomadic tribes, and by constructing political histories of these states and analyzing the role of tribes in domestic political life and social hierarchies, reveals how they serve as major political actors in the Gulf.

A key focus of the book is understanding the extent to which societies in the Gulf have become "re-bedouinized" in the modern era and how this has shaped their political processes and institutions. The book explores the roles that tribes play in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking today, and how they are likely to be influential in the future within rentier environments.

Tribes play a significant role in the political landscape of the Gulf region, with their influence extending beyond their traditional roles in nomadic herding and agriculture. In Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, tribes have emerged as powerful political actors, exerting influence over government policies, decision-making processes, and social hierarch

Tribes play a significant role in the political landscape of the Gulf region, with their influence extending beyond their traditional roles in nomadic herding and agriculture. In Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, tribes have emerged as powerful political actors, exerting influence over government policies, decision-making processes, and social hierarch.

One of the primary ways in which tribes exert their political power is through their participation in government. In Kuwait, for example, tribes play a significant role in the country's political system, with members holding positions in the government, including the cabinet and parliament. Tribes also have influence over local government, with many tribes holding positions in municipal councils and other local bodies.

Tribes also play a role in shaping social hierarch

Tribes also play a role in shaping social hierarch. In Kuwait, for example, tribes are divided into various subgroups, each with its own distinct identity and customs. These subgroups often compete for power and influence within the country, with some being more dominant than others. This competition can lead to tensions and conflicts, particularly in areas where resources are scarce.

Tribes also play a role in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking in the Gulf region. In Kuwait, for example, the government has implemented policies aimed at promoting social and economic development, including programs to improve education and healthcare. These policies have been influenced by tribal leaders, who have advocated for policies that benefit their communities and promote their interests.

However, the role of tribes in the Gulf region is not without its challenges. One of the primary challenges is the lack of formal political institutions and processes that can effectively represent and engage tribal communities. This can lead to a lack of representation and participation in government decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized and minority tribes.

Another challenge is the potential for tribalism to undermine national unity and stability. In some cases, tribal affiliations can be used as a political tool to gain power and influence, leading to divisions and conflicts within society. This can be particularly problematic in countries with diverse ethnic and religious populations, where tribal affiliations can be a source of division and conflict.

To address these challenges, it is important to promote greater political participation and representation for tribal communities. This can include establishing formal political institutions that can represent and engage tribal communities, such as tribal councils or representative bodies. It can also include promoting greater education and awareness of tribal rights and responsibilities, as well as promoting dialogue and understanding between different tribal communities.

In conclusion, Gulf societies are often characterized as being intensely tribal, yet the role of tribalism and tribal identity in discussions of state building and national identity is often overlooked. This book aims to analyze the political role of tribes in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, with a focus on understanding the extent to which tribes hinder or advance popular participation in government and exert domestic political power. The research traces the historical relationship between ruling elites and nomadic tribes, and by constructing political histories of these states and analyzing the role of tribes in domestic political life and social hierarchies, reveals how they serve as major political actors in the Gulf.

A key focus of the book is understanding the extent to which societies in the Gulf have become "re-bedouinized" in the modern era and how this has shaped their political processes and institutions. The book explores the roles that tribes play in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking today, and how they are likely to be influential in the future within rentier environments.

Tribes play a significant role in the political landscape of the Gulf region, with their influence extending beyond their traditional roles in nomadic herding and agriculture. In Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, tribes have emerged as powerful political actors, exerting influence over government policies, decision-making processes, and social hierarchies.

One of the primary ways in which tribes exert their political power is through their participation in government. In Kuwait, for example, tribes play a significant role in the country's political system, with members holding positions in the government, including the cabinet and parliament. Tribes also have influence over local government, with many tribes holding positions in municipal councils and other local bodies.

Tribes also play a role in shaping social hierarchies and identity in the Gulf region. In Kuwait, for example, tribes are divided into various subgroups, each with its own distinct identity and customs. These subgroups often compete for power and influence within the country, with some being more dominant than others. This competition can lead to tensions and conflicts, particularly in areas where resources are scarce.

Tribes also play a role in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking in the Gulf region. In Kuwait, for example, the government has implemented policies aimed at promoting social and economic development, including programs to improve education and healthcare. These policies have been influenced by tribal leaders, who have advocated for policies that benefit their communities and promote their interests.

However, the role of tribes in the Gulf region is not without its challenges. One of the primary challenges is the lack of formal political institutions and processes that can effectively represent and engage tribal communities. This can lead to a lack of representation and participation in government decision-making processes, particularly for marginalized and minority tribes.

Another challenge is the potential for tribalism to undermine national unity and stability. In some cases, tribal affiliations can be used as a political tool to gain power and influence, leading to divisions and conflicts within society. This can be particularly problematic in countries with diverse ethnic and religious populations, where tribal affiliations can be a source of division and conflict.

To address these challenges, it is important to promote greater political participation and representation for tribal communities. This can include establishing formal political institutions that can represent and engage tribal communities, such as tribal councils or representative bodies. It can also include promoting greater education and awareness of tribal rights and responsibilities, as well as promoting dialogue and understanding between different tribal communities.

In conclusion, Gulf societies are often characterized as being intensely tribal, yet the role of tribalism and tribal identity in discussions of state building and national identity is often overlooked. This book aims to analyze the political role of tribes in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, with a focus on understanding the extent to which tribes hinder or advance popular participation in government and exert domestic political power. The research traces the historical relationship between ruling elites and nomadic tribes, and by constructing political histories of these states and analyzing the role of tribes in domestic political life and social hierarchies, reveals how they serve as major political actors in the Gulf.

A key focus of the book is understanding the extent to which societies in the Gulf have become "re-bedouinized" in the modern era and how this has shaped their political processes and institutions. The book explores the roles that tribes play in the development of "progressive" citizenship regimes and policymaking today, and how they are likely to be influential in the future within rentier environments.

Weight: 374g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780755644896