Gulf Studies – serie

This book studies values and attitudes in the Gulf region. In light of global power shifts, the threatening collapse of internal security in the West, and uncertainty about the current leadership vacuum in world society, this book explores a future leading role of the Gulf countries in such institutions as the G-20 and the OECD. Based on rigorous analysis of macro-level data and opinion surveys with relevance for the Gulf region, it analyzes the global macro-factors shaping the Gulf's future at a time of the global COVID-19 crisis and depression and rising global tensions. Starting with an empirical time series analysis of the long cycles of global politics and economics, it highlights the implications for the Gulf region. Offering a multivariate analysis of civil society values in the Gulf, the author analyzes value changes and attitudes on antisemitism, political Islam, internal security, democracy, and other issues of Arab politics. The partially optimistic conclusions of the study testify to the underestimated and incipient maturity of the Gulf’s civil society and strongly suggest that the Gulf's future is rather with the free societies of the West and not with a Neo-Ottoman Empire in whatever form."Exceptional in scope and right up-to-the-minute in coverage"Brian M Pollins, Associate, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University."An outstanding and topical book by an astute scholar of the MENA region"Professor Hussein Solomon, Academic Head of Department, Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State, South Africa."The most comprehensive and insightful study on the subject to date"Manfred B. Steger, Professor of Sociology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa and Global Professorial Fellow, Western Sydney University.

This book studies values and attitudes in the Gulf region. In light of global power shifts, the threatening collapse of internal security in the West, and uncertainty about the current leadership vacuum in world society, this book explores a future leading role of the Gulf countries in such institutions as the G-20 and the OECD. Based on rigorous analysis of macro-level data and opinion surveys with relevance for the Gulf region, it analyzes the global macro-factors shaping the Gulf's future at a time of the global COVID-19 crisis and depression and rising global tensions. Starting with an empirical time series analysis of the long cycles of global politics and economics, it highlights the implications for the Gulf region. Offering a multivariate analysis of civil society values in the Gulf, the author analyzes value changes and attitudes on antisemitism, political Islam, internal security, democracy, and other issues of Arab politics. The partially optimistic conclusions of the study testify to the underestimated and incipient maturity of the Gulf’s civil society and strongly suggest that the Gulf's future is rather with the free societies of the West and not with a Neo-Ottoman Empire in whatever form."Exceptional in scope and right up-to-the-minute in coverage"Brian M Pollins, Associate, Professor Emeritus, The Ohio State University."An outstanding and topical book by an astute scholar of the MENA region"Professor Hussein Solomon, Academic Head of Department, Political Studies and Governance, University of the Free State, South Africa."The most comprehensive and insightful study on the subject to date"Manfred B. Steger, Professor of Sociology, University of Hawai'i at Manoa and Global Professorial Fellow, Western Sydney University.

This is the third and final volume of a previously unpublished study by the foremost authority on the subject. The book is based on thorough research in the relevant archives and direct experience of the dispute. As such it will be the standard reference work on this question for all who have an interest in the Gulf Arab states, their territorial origins and its effects on their increasing role in regional and world affairs. The struggle to delineate the boundaries of south-eastern Arabia can claim to be one of the longest running diplomatic disputes of the twentieth century, which has echoes to this day. Volume 3 includes 40 maps and an index covering volumes 1 to 3.

Over the last two decades the relations between the countries of the Gulf and Asia have expanded beyond the economic domain to include political and even security arrangements. While oil and non-oil trade are still the fulcrum of their association, 'strategic' partnerships are fast becoming the norm. The contributors of this book argue that, along with economic diversification, the Gulf countries have also diversified their foreign policies, especially with China, India, Japan and South Korea, among others. Together with Russia, this could eventually alter the current US-centric security paradigm. This opens up the prospect for a 'collective' security architecture in the Gulf, which is key to regional and global stability.

Are the Middle East's two heavyweights, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, friends or foes? What are the main drivers behind their rivalry or cooperation? The nature of their relationship has region-wide repercussions, affecting the calculations of both regional and global actors. This book is the first to offer a comprehensive and nuanced examination of the main drivers in the complex relationship between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, focusing on the role of domestic, regional and international dynamics. Three decades are examined: the 1990s, the 2000s and the 2010s. Thus a review of the recent history of the relationship outlining the background dynamics goes on to identify the key turning points in the post- 2011 Middle East, in which the two states have frequently found themselves on a collision course due to their widely differing domestic, regional and international agendas.

The Trucial Coast Political Reports are a unique record of events, commented on by a small group of British men living in Sharjah and Dubai. This was in the years leading up to the commencement of oil exports from the desert of Abu Dhabi. These men regularly met to discuss and negotiate with the Rulers of the Trucial States - sometimes in a state of mutual incomprehension - the conditions under which the Company (Petroleum Development/Trucial Coast or PD/TC) would operate in their various territories. Boundaries and frontiers marked out in the desert were as much a novelty to the Bedouin as the notions of royalties and depreciation were to the Rulers. Men such as Bird, Codrai and Henderson learnt to understand, to some extent, the language and ways of the people of the Trucial Coast. They in turn had to contend with the ways of the legal, financial and business executives in London who tended to see affairs very differently. It is thanks to these Company Representatives living on the Trucial Coast that the bulk of the Diaries was saved. It is due to the efforts of the London executives that much other material was lost in the name of economy of storage space. These Reports record important events as well as the writer's observations. The editor has included some additional material from the PD/TC company files to present a more complete account.

Muḥammad ’Abduh was one of the most influential figures in the modern history of Muslim societies and the reform movement. Although his demise was at an early age (53 years) over a century ago, his thoughts and ideas are still discussed in different spheres. In the chaotic political, social and religious circumstances we find ourselves in post-Arab Spring, thinkers and scholars increasingly turn to the work of some great reformers who appeared in the late 19th century.Muḥammad Abduh (1849-1905) was an Egyptian philosopher, sociologist and reformer, ranked one of the most remarkable figures in the contemporary Muslim world. At his death he left numerous disciples, and works of genuine interest and inestimable value. He was, and still is, commonly given the superb title “al-Ustādh al-Imām” (The Master and Guide); this title alone shows his influence upon his contemporaries.Abduh was one of those reformers who tried to explain the reasons for the decline of Muslims and their cultures. Muḥammad Abduh was born in Egypt, an autonomous province of the ancient Ottoman Empire. He was instrumental in developing one of the first political parties in Egypt (The National Party); he participated in a failed attempt at revolution (‘Urabi, 1881), went into exile, and died in Egypt under British occupation. He had many occupations: journalist, teacher, writer, politician, and the Grand Muftī of Egypt. Politically, he lived through extraordinary eventful times, and politics occupied him throughout his life.

Since the 1990s, Qatar has been expanding its concept of societal security to address migration as a presumed threat to national identity. Local citizens regarded communities of migrants increasingly as a threat to existing cultural and linguistic norms, and as a challenge to the country's traditional “we”. The crisis of 2017, which isolated Qatar through a regional blockade, fundamentally changed the perception of the country's societal security. In response, Qatar turned ‘Baladna’ (‘our country’) into a symbol of inclusion, expanding tribal solidarity into a unifying national identity that encompassed both citizens and non-citizens. Following Nordic models, the understanding of social security in Qatar has transformed from a concern about identity to the protection of vital functions of society as a whole.

This book delves into the economic development of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Since the 1960s, the GCC states have harnessed their potential to exploit the wealth accrued from the oil boom to build their infrastructure and grow their economies. However, the high level of dependency on oil as the primary source feeding their output made their economies volatile and vulnerable to fluctuations in the global oil prices. Moreover, the plunge in oil prices and the threat of depletion of this natural resource pose serious challenges to the GCC countries. Consequently, the GCC governments have realized the importance of diversifying their economies following the need to move away from reliance on hydrocarbon.This book contributes to the theoretical literature by enriching the debate on the transition of the GCC countries from rentier states to diversified economies. It helps students and scholars understand this transformation with an expansive comprehension of the contemporary challenges facing the region, as well as outlining prospects for the future.

This book delves into the economic development of the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Since the 1960s, the GCC states have harnessed their potential to exploit the wealth accrued from the oil boom to build their infrastructure and grow their economies. However, the high level of dependency on oil as the primary source feeding their output made their economies volatile and vulnerable to fluctuations in the global oil prices. Moreover, the plunge in oil prices and the threat of depletion of this natural resource pose serious challenges to the GCC countries. Consequently, the GCC governments have realized the importance of diversifying their economies following the need to move away from reliance on hydrocarbon.This book contributes to the theoretical literature by enriching the debate on the transition of the GCC countries from rentier states to diversified economies. It helps students and scholars understand this transformation with an expansive comprehension of the contemporary challenges facing the region, as well as outlining prospects for the future.

This book provides an overview of the origins, repercussions and projected future of the ongoing Gulf crisis, as well as an analysis of the major issues and debates relating to it. The Gulf region witnessed an extraordinary rift when, on 5 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut all diplomatic ties and imposed a siege on the State of Qatar following the hacking of the Qatar News Agency website. This book approaches the Gulf crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective by bringing together a group of top scholars from a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise to engage in a nuanced debate on the current crisis. With the pressing role of media in general and social media in particular, new political realities have been created in the region. The book addresses the role that cyber and information security play on politics, as well as the shift of alliances in the region as a result of the crisis. It scrutinizes the role of media and information technology in creating political cultures as well as conflicts. The book also explores the long-term economic implications of the siege imposed on Qatar and identifies how the country's economy is adjusting to the impact of the siege. Thus, the book considers the extent of social and economic changes that the crisis has brought to the region. This book invites in-depth understanding of the regional crisis and its implications on nation building and the reconfiguration of political and economic alliances across the region. It will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership in the area of Gulf studies.

This book provides an overview of the origins, repercussions and projected future of the ongoing Gulf crisis, as well as an analysis of the major issues and debates relating to it. The Gulf region witnessed an extraordinary rift when, on 5 June 2017, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain cut all diplomatic ties and imposed a siege on the State of Qatar following the hacking of the Qatar News Agency website. This book approaches the Gulf crisis from an interdisciplinary perspective by bringing together a group of top scholars from a wide range of disciplines and areas of expertise to engage in a nuanced debate on the current crisis. With the pressing role of media in general and social media in particular, new political realities have been created in the region. The book addresses the role that cyber and information security play on politics, as well as the shift of alliances in the region as a result of the crisis. It scrutinizes the role of media and information technology in creating political cultures as well as conflicts. The book also explores the long-term economic implications of the siege imposed on Qatar and identifies how the country's economy is adjusting to the impact of the siege. Thus, the book considers the extent of social and economic changes that the crisis has brought to the region. This book invites in-depth understanding of the regional crisis and its implications on nation building and the reconfiguration of political and economic alliances across the region. It will appeal to a broad interdisciplinary readership in the area of Gulf studies.

This book addresses critical topics and unanswered questions on the contemporary state of Qatar. Drawing together a unique combination of authors that have researched the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in general, and the state of Qatar specifically, each author provides an in-depth empirical analysis of Qatar’s current social, political, and economic landscape against a historically informed backdrop. Cognizant of its rapid state of flux, the contributors collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the intersection of these respective areas, delving into the historical creation of Qatar as a state, its politics and systems of governance, its economic strata and reliance on natural resources, its society and national identity, its new and thriving sports culture, and, most topically, matters of diplomacy, the 2017 blockade, and its armed forces. Owing to the contributors’ invaluable firsthand experience and knowledge of Qatar, this book provides valuable insights into this nation, at once old and new, and its intertwined trajectories in its socio-political and economic positionality within the region. This book is an invaluable resource for students and scholars researching the Middle East generally, and the Gulf, specifically, with interests in topics such as politics and international relations, political economy and foreign policy, development, sources of social change, societal activism, popular culture, and the various elements of identity.

This book addresses critical topics and unanswered questions on the contemporary state of Qatar. Drawing together a unique combination of authors that have researched the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in general, and the state of Qatar specifically, each author provides an in-depth empirical analysis of Qatar’s current social, political, and economic landscape against a historically informed backdrop. Cognizant of its rapid state of flux, the contributors collectively provide a comprehensive overview of the intersection of these respective areas, delving into the historical creation of Qatar as a state, its politics and systems of governance, its economic strata and reliance on natural resources, its society and national identity, its new and thriving sports culture, and, most topically, matters of diplomacy, the 2017 blockade, and its armed forces. Owing to the contributors’ invaluable firsthand experience and knowledge of Qatar, this book provides valuable insights into this nation, at once old and new, and its intertwined trajectories in its socio-political and economic positionality within the region. This book is an invaluable resource for students and scholars researching the Middle East generally, and the Gulf, specifically, with interests in topics such as politics and international relations, political economy and foreign policy, development, sources of social change, societal activism, popular culture, and the various elements of identity.

This book is the first of its kind to provide a critical overview and theoretical analysis of the Circular Economy from Shariah and Islamic Finance perspectives. The book is divided into three parts. The contributing authors pay close attention to Islamic Finance in light of sustainability and value creation. It also includes case studies on the Circular Economy application in Islamic Finance industry. The book is of interest to academics, students, and practitioners on Islamic Economics and Finance who have an interest in understanding the Circular Economy under the lens of Islamic Finance principles and applications.

This book is the first of its kind to provide a critical overview and theoretical analysis of the Circular Economy from Shariah and Islamic Finance perspectives. The book is divided into three parts. The contributing authors pay close attention to Islamic Finance in light of sustainability and value creation. It also includes case studies on the Circular Economy application in Islamic Finance industry. The book is of interest to academics, students, and practitioners on Islamic Economics and Finance who have an interest in understanding the Circular Economy under the lens of Islamic Finance principles and applications.

This book makes a substantial and timely contribution to discussions on energy security in Oman, providing a systematic analysis of energy security in Oman from 1920 to 2020. It is particularly relevant in light of the recent global geopolitics of the Gulf particularly, and the Middle Eastern region broadly, as well as connecting to current climate change research and debates. Combining a political sociological account with postcolonial concepts within a theoretical and empirical exploration of energy politics, the book weaves a study of energy security into the historical and contemporary development of political, economic, security, and social structures in Oman. Including interviews with Omani and Oman-based practitioners, as well as grounded in historical documents which include Arabic-language sources, this book evaluates the energy question beyond the typical economic perspective, considering socio-political opportunities and challenges. It also makes economic-related recommendations in tandem with rentier state theory. Unlike the dominant accounts of energy security in Oman, this book sets itself apart by moving away from utilising liberal and realist approaches for its analysis and engages systematically with critical security studies to introduce a non-Eurocentric perspective to the arena. Of interest to scholars in Middle Eastern history, energy security, and security studies, this book assumes an important place in the critical literature on the Gulf, particularly within environmental studies and energy policy literature.

This book makes a substantial and timely contribution to discussions on energy security in Oman, providing a systematic analysis of energy security in Oman from 1920 to 2020. It is particularly relevant in light of the recent global geopolitics of the Gulf particularly, and the Middle Eastern region broadly, as well as connecting to current climate change research and debates. Combining a political sociological account with postcolonial concepts within a theoretical and empirical exploration of energy politics, the book weaves a study of energy security into the historical and contemporary development of political, economic, security, and social structures in Oman. Including interviews with Omani and Oman-based practitioners, as well as grounded in historical documents which include Arabic-language sources, this book evaluates the energy question beyond the typical economic perspective, considering socio-political opportunities and challenges. It also makes economic-related recommendations in tandem with rentier state theory. Unlike the dominant accounts of energy security in Oman, this book sets itself apart by moving away from utilising liberal and realist approaches for its analysis and engages systematically with critical security studies to introduce a non-Eurocentric perspective to the arena. Of interest to scholars in Middle Eastern history, energy security, and security studies, this book assumes an important place in the critical literature on the Gulf, particularly within environmental studies and energy policy literature.

This open access book provides a topical overview of the key sustainability issues in Qatar, focusing on environmental sustainability from a socio-political perspective. The transition to a sustainable Qatar requires engagement with diverse areas of social-political, human, and environmental development. On the environmental aspects, the contributors address climate change, food security, water reuse and desalination, energy, and biodiversity. The socio-political section examines state strategy and regulation, the place of environmental law and geopolitics and sustainability innovators and catalysts. The human section considers economics, sustainability education, the knowledge economy, and waste management. In doing so, the book demarcates the ways in which the country encounters and grapples with significant challenges and delves into the range of options for future pathways to sustainability in Qatar. Relevant to policymakers and scholars in energy and environment, urban and developmental studies, as well as the arenas of politics, climate change and policy, this book is a landmark collection on environmental policy in the Gulf and beyond.

This open access book provides a topical overview of the key sustainability issues in Qatar, focusing on environmental sustainability from a socio-political perspective. The transition to a sustainable Qatar requires engagement with diverse areas of social-political, human, and environmental development. On the environmental aspects, the contributors address climate change, food security, water reuse and desalination, energy, and biodiversity. The socio-political section examines state strategy and regulation, the place of environmental law and geopolitics and sustainability innovators and catalysts. The human section considers economics, sustainability education, the knowledge economy, and waste management. In doing so, the book demarcates the ways in which the country encounters and grapples with significant challenges and delves into the range of options for future pathways to sustainability in Qatar. Relevant to policymakers and scholars in energy and environment, urban and developmental studies, as well as the arenas of politics, climate change and policy, this book is a landmark collection on environmental policy in the Gulf and beyond.

This open access book, comprising thirty-nine chapters divided into social, cultural, economic, and political spheres, offers a unique opportunity to dive into the complex, dynamic, and sometimes contradictory transformation of Gulf societies in the last few decades. Whilst the Gulf region has at times been seen as impervious to this natural phenomenon of transformation—timeless, never changing, deeply rooted in its ancient tribal customs and traditions and able to blend past and present seamlessly without suffering the wrenching trauma of change—this is clearly not the case, and the region is not immune to the inevitable forces of social change. There is no doubt today that the social change sweeping the Gulf has been profound, affecting almost every aspect of life in the Gulf societies. This volume has an encyclopedic value as the chapters collectively offer multifaceted and multidisciplinary perspectives to understand social change inthe Gulf region. Through these chapters, the role of economic and educational transformation, and the impact of social media, migration, and urbanization have in driving social change in the Gulf societies is examined in detail with a focus on their directions, magnitudes, and relevant policy options. It also considers how COVID-19 is affecting the lives of the people in the Gulf. This book bridges gaps in the understanding of the rapid pace of social change in the Gulf, offering practical solutions for policy interventions. It is of interest to scholars and students in Middle Eastern studies, specifically, as well as sociology, media studies, migration studies, and educational policy.

This open access book, comprising thirty-nine chapters divided into social, cultural, economic, and political spheres, offers a unique opportunity to dive into the complex, dynamic, and sometimes contradictory transformation of Gulf societies in the last few decades. Whilst the Gulf region has at times been seen as impervious to this natural phenomenon of transformation—timeless, never changing, deeply rooted in its ancient tribal customs and traditions and able to blend past and present seamlessly without suffering the wrenching trauma of change—this is clearly not the case, and the region is not immune to the inevitable forces of social change. There is no doubt today that the social change sweeping the Gulf has been profound, affecting almost every aspect of life in the Gulf societies. This volume has an encyclopedic value as the chapters collectively offer multifaceted and multidisciplinary perspectives to understand social change inthe Gulf region. Through these chapters, the role of economic and educational transformation, and the impact of social media, migration, and urbanization have in driving social change in the Gulf societies is examined in detail with a focus on their directions, magnitudes, and relevant policy options. It also considers how COVID-19 is affecting the lives of the people in the Gulf. This book bridges gaps in the understanding of the rapid pace of social change in the Gulf, offering practical solutions for policy interventions. It is of interest to scholars and students in Middle Eastern studies, specifically, as well as sociology, media studies, migration studies, and educational policy.

This book addresses a critical gap in understanding net-zero strategies and sustainability practices in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), exploring their intersection with data innovation, climate risk, climate governance, firm performance, firm risk, greenwashing, and green finance. In doing so, the book demonstrates how data innovation plays a crucial role in advancing net-zero goals by enabling organizations to optimize resource usage, identify emission hotspots, and improve operational efficiency through advanced data analytics, machine learning, and AI. The book underscores the need for vigilance against greenwashing, emphasizing transparent reporting practices and robust verification mechanisms to uphold credibility and trust in sustainability claims. Providing new insights provided by a diverse set of contributors, including industry leaders and policymakers, the book highlights the integration of financial and environmental sustainability into net-zero initiatives, emphasizing elements such as carbon accounting, biodiversity accounting, and economic resilience. This perspective is relatively unexplored, especially in comparison to other developed regions, making the book a pioneering resource in identifying and addressing the unique challenges and opportunities present in the MENA region in the global fight against climate change. With both theoretical and empirical studies, practical case studies, industry analyses, and policy evaluations, the book presents a comprehensive overview of how net-zero strategies can be effectively implemented to enhance sustainability practices, both regionally and globally. It is relevant to both scholars and policymakers in areas of economic development, environmental sustainability, and social equity, focused on the means of transition toward a low-carbon future.

This open access volume focuses on the various processes of state formation and the significant role that organization, citizens, and institutions are coming to play in forming policy in the resource-rich Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. As rentier states, they feature unique systems of governance and policy making. The Gulf region is employing unprecedented influence on international affairs and is a key player in the restructuring of the Middle East and North Africa post 9/11 and following the Arab Spring. The region has an increasingly vital role in the global contemporary system of international power, politics, and policymaking. And yet despite the recent rise of the Gulf Arab states to global power, notably Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain, their policymaking remains under researched. This book pulls focus to their various processes of state policy formation. It considers these states’ social, political, and economic development, providing a comparative analysis of policy practices and results, citizens engagement, public-private partnership, human development and human capital, and provides analyses on foreign policy, sovereignty, security, and links to domestic politics. It shows the specific nature of governance relationships in the GCC and this how this is, in turn, affected by the specific nature of social capital and public opinion, as well as leadership and the culture of the business community in the GCC. These, the book suggests, pose challenges to public policy making and delivery in this region. Bringing together experts in public policy analysis, policy implementation and evaluation, governance, international affairs, public administration, public management, and other related social sciences from within and beyond the Middle East, this book is a vital text confronting the gap in the real mechanics of policymaking in the region. This is an open access book.

This book provides a groundbreaking exploration of gender and migration in the Arabian Gulf, challenging dominant narratives that reduce women's migration to domestic labor and caregiving. It presents a nuanced, interdisciplinary analysis of how women navigate transnational labor markets, exercise agency, and confront systemic inequalities in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. This book addresses a critical gap in migration studies by moving beyond male-centered frameworks and offering fresh insights into the diverse experiences of women across occupational categories. This book highlights the intersections of mobility, governance, class hierarchies, and legal frameworks that shape women’s migration journeys. It critically examines how labor policies—including the controversial kafala (sponsorship) system—impact women migrants, while also shedding light on their strategies of resilience and negotiation within these structures. The book engages with key themes such as migration governance, informal recruitment networks, gendered labor reforms, and the socio-economic impacts of migration on families left behind. By integrating case studies from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, it evaluates the effectiveness of recent policy changes in addressing migrant women’s rights. It also explores the role of social networks in both facilitating migration and reinforcing precarity, particularly for low-wage workers.Timely and relevant, this book speaks to ongoing global debates on migration governance, labor rights, and gender equity. It provides policy-relevant insights and aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to decent work, gender equality, and migrant protections. By uniting perspectives from sociology, anthropology, gender studies, and international relations, this book serves as an essential resource for scholars, policymakers, development professionals, humanitarian workers, and students seeking a deeper understanding of gendered migration in one of the world’s most dynamic labor corridors.

This book offers an in-depth analysis of social welfare system in a rentier state, Qatar, tracing its evolution and institutional development. Through the innovative lens of 'modern traditionalism,' it examines how Qatar blends contemporary social policies with traditional cultural values across nine key sectors: public health, education, social security, social care, housing, disability, employment, family, and gender. The book's unique approach combines the Policy Arrangement Approach with Rentier State Theory and Historical Institutionalism to provide in-depth analyses of Qatar's social welfare policies. This interdisciplinary perspective offers fresh insights into the interplay between modernization, tradition, and social policy in a rentier state. Covering historical trajectories, current institutional arrangements, and future challenges, the book provides a holistic view of Qatar's social welfare system. It explores how the country navigates the tensions between rapid modernization and cultural preservation, offering valuable lessons for other countries. Intended for academics, policymakers, and students in public policy, Middle Eastern studies, social policy, and development studies, this book offers both theoretical depth and practical insights. It is an essential resource for understanding social welfare development in resource-rich states, offering valuable insights for both academic research and policy formulation in the Arab Gulf region and beyond.

This book offers an in-depth analysis of social welfare system in a rentier state, Qatar, tracing its evolution and institutional development. Through the innovative lens of 'modern traditionalism,' it examines how Qatar blends contemporary social policies with traditional cultural values across nine key sectors: public health, education, social security, social care, housing, disability, employment, family, and gender. The book's unique approach combines the Policy Arrangement Approach with Rentier State Theory and Historical Institutionalism to provide in-depth analyses of Qatar's social welfare policies. This interdisciplinary perspective offers fresh insights into the interplay between modernization, tradition, and social policy in a rentier state. Covering historical trajectories, current institutional arrangements, and future challenges, the book provides a holistic view of Qatar's social welfare system. It explores how the country navigates the tensions between rapid modernization and cultural preservation, offering valuable lessons for other countries. Intended for academics, policymakers, and students in public policy, Middle Eastern studies, social policy, and development studies, this book offers both theoretical depth and practical insights. It is an essential resource for understanding social welfare development in resource-rich states, offering valuable insights for both academic research and policy formulation in the Arab Gulf region and beyond.

This open access book collates and advances the body of knowledge about the factors, directions, and magnitudes of change in Arabian Gulf families from interdisciplinary perspectives. Family life across the globe is being impacted by unprecedented diversity in household living arrangements and by sweeping economic, cultural, and social change, and this is not an exception in the Gulf region. The book demarcates how Gulf families are experiencing many formidable challenges and undergoing profound changes due to speedy economic transformation, educational reforms, extensive use of social media, rapid urbanization, migration, women empowerment, and the intersections of popular culture from both the East and the West. Notwithstanding such challenges and changes, Gulf families often seem to retain and continue many of the traditional roles and functions of families in a sustained manner. It contributes to current debates that revolve around questions of what has changed, and what has stayed the same, in family structures in the region. Sweeping and comparative, the book provides avenues for offering practical solutions for policy interventions in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. It is a key academic text for sociologists interested in transformations in the family in relation to politics, economics, consumption patterns, education, gender, law, social media, religion, culture, social reforms, and the state.

This open access book collates and advances the body of knowledge about the factors, directions, and magnitudes of change in Arabian Gulf families from interdisciplinary perspectives. Family life across the globe is being impacted by unprecedented diversity in household living arrangements and by sweeping economic, cultural, and social change, and this is not an exception in the Gulf region. The book demarcates how Gulf families are experiencing many formidable challenges and undergoing profound changes due to speedy economic transformation, educational reforms, extensive use of social media, rapid urbanization, migration, women empowerment, and the intersections of popular culture from both the East and the West. Notwithstanding such challenges and changes, Gulf families often seem to retain and continue many of the traditional roles and functions of families in a sustained manner. It contributes to current debates that revolve around questions of what has changed, and what has stayed the same, in family structures in the region. Sweeping and comparative, the book provides avenues for offering practical solutions for policy interventions in Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. It is a key academic text for sociologists interested in transformations in the family in relation to politics, economics, consumption patterns, education, gender, law, social media, religion, culture, social reforms, and the state.