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The Oil Monarchy of Qatar

Imsirovic Arnela/ Political Economy

General:

Persian Gulf country

Well known for oil and gas reserves

September 3rd, 1971-Independence Day

Around 1.7 million inhabitants

Qatar used to be famous for pearling and fishing trade (picture: Oyster and Pearl fountain in Doha)

Economy:

Based on exploitation of oil and gas

Started in late 1940s, after the end of WWII

3rd highest gas reserves in the world

2009: Oil and gas sector accounted 46.2% of GDP

Qatari oil and gas discoveries

Doha (The capital):

Qatari government is working on industrialization processes (aside from gas and oil)

Tourism and construction campaigns

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRYhW9wF0Is

Foreign investment

International organizations

Regional stability

Economy:

Economy:

OPEC, WTO, ILO; IMF; Arab League, Gulf Cooperation Centre

Government:

Constitutional Monarchy

The head of state is the Emir, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani

He deposed his father in 1995 and introduced political changes: end of press censorship

First national elections in 1999

There is no desire for reforms by the people

Hamad bin Jassim Al Thani (Prime Minister): “Democracy has started. Either the leaders like or they don’t like it. Either you open the door, or they break the door. It’s a matter of time, in my opinion .”

Al Thani family:

Al Thani family:

Family and tribal allegiances are at the country level

Represent well established political structure

Strongly supported by the people so there is little challenge for the system

Autocratic regime

No taxation

Government:

Democracy of bread: social and economic welfare in turn for political loyalty

Concentration of wealth in the hands of the state

Army:

Second smallest army in the Arab world

Enjoys US protection

Current issues:

Challenge: Balance between internal stability and regional stability/ instability

Political liberalization

Qatar between “tradition” and “modernity”

Current issues:

Current issues:

Current issues:

Qatar is criticized for the involvement in Libya war

They recognized rebel transitional council in Libya

“Backer” of the democratic

Current issues: Al Jazeera credibility?

Sources:

http://mepei.com/in-focus/4608-political-stability-the-mysterious-case-of-qatar

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Editorial-Board-Blog/2011/0527/Qatar-The-small-Arab-monarchy-with-the-loud-democratic-voice

http://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/public/International%20Affairs/2007/83_5913-932.pdf

http://ibde.org/component/content/article/170-country-report-qatar.html

http://www2.lse.ac.uk/government/research/resgroups/kuwait/documents/The-Qatari-Spring%20-%20Qatars-Emerging-Role-in-Peacemaking.pdf