Dynamics of Change in the Persian Gulf: Political Economy, War and Revolution by Anoushiravan Ehteshami

Author:Anoushiravan Ehteshami [Ehteshami, Anoushiravan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: International Relations, Social Science, Political Science, Regional Studies, General
ISBN: 9781135072858
Google: 7iMF48DnCTAC
Goodreads: 17576527
Publisher: Routledge
Published: 2013-03-05T00:00:00+00:00

Qatar

In Qatar, a similar picture of generational change and elite-led reforms emerges, but Qatar's social makeup has helped the ruler's hand rather than weaken it. Qatar has been at the forefront of promoting intra-Arab dialogue (Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria) and intra-Arab relations (Iran–Saudi Arabia, Turkey–Arab world), as well as being an active supporter of Arab uprisings, most notably in Libya. The Qatari state also acts as a global forum for international dialogue and debate, and is home to the region's most popular and avant-garde satellite television station, Aljazeera. However, Qatar appears to be an unlikely candidate for political change as its citizens are notoriously politically apathetic. The citizens enjoy the good life that gas exports have brought, and bask in the reflected glory that their rulers attract. Nevertheless, following the 1995 bloodless coup by Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the country embarked on introducing landmark changes. Although there was a constitution (drafted in 1970) and an “advisory council” to the emir, the country continued to be run by him and a small group of advisers and family members.45 Despite the contentment of Qatari citizens with the benevolent rule they enjoyed, wider political debates following the Kuwait crisis in effect gave Qataris an appetite for greater political freedoms in tandem with economic prosperity. Sufficient momentum had built up within society to lead to the delivery in 1992 of a petition signed by 54 prominent Qataris to the ruler to introduce greater political freedoms. Specifically the petitioners demanded elections and a wider role in legislation for the advisory council. But they also asked for freedom of expression in media, and clarity on citizenship laws. This unprecedented petition was a catalyst for the emir's son, Sheikh Hamad, to depose his father and chart a radically different political course for the country.

One of the first changes introduced by Sheikh Hamad was the end to press censorship, which was done alongside bringing under control the country's main repressive vehicle, the Ministry of Information. It was announced soon after, that Qatar was to hold the country's first open elections since its birth and work was to begin on drafting a permanent constitution. When put in a wider social and historical context of the Gulf oil monarchies, then, these were indeed extraordinary developments comparatively speaking and even in the context of Qatar's own largely conservative society.46

Thus, Qatar held its first ever national poll in March 1999 for the 29-member Central Municipal Council.47 Although female candidates were also allowed to stand and six women did so, none were elected. The poll, however, did provide the first opportunity for the Qatari people to participate in an election, which they did with great enthusiasm – voter turnout was 80 percent.48 Qatar, already endowed with the outspoken and critical Aljazeera satellite television network, was now opening a new chapter in its political life. This election was to be the first in a cycle of other national plebiscites to come. Following on from this, the delayed draft constitution was unveiled and put to a referendum in April 2003, where it received a convincing 97 percent of the vote in favor.

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