Bahrain is one of the countries of the so-called "Arab Spring" but it differs from other revolutionary states: First of all, it is the only one of the six Gulf monarchies in which the existing ruling system was seriously threatened by the demonstrations. Also, the protests as such have a special significance, not only because with up to a hundred thousand people taking it to the streets they were remarkably bigger than the protests in other monarchies, but also because compared to the population, these were probably the biggest demonstrations in the Arab world. Nevertheless, the protests have (up until now) failed.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Kingdom of Bahrain
2.1. History
2.2. Political System
2.3. Society
3. The Protests
3.1. The National Dialogue
3.2. The Reaction of the International Community
4. The Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt
4.1. Elite-Intern Dynamics
4.1.1. Memory of the Past – Hardliners versus Reformers
4.1.2. Reluctant Use of Non-Repressive Legitimation Strategies
4.2. Disunity of the Protesters
4.2.1. Hardliners versus Moderates
4.2.2. The Crossing of Red Lines
4.3. External Influences
4.3.1. Pressure of the Gulf Cooperation Council
4.3.2. International Disinterest in Change
5. Outlook
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines why the 2011 uprising in Bahrain failed to produce the democratic reforms seen in other Arab Spring nations, arguing that the outcome was shaped by a complex interplay of internal and external factors.
- The influence of internal elite divisions within the Bahraini monarchy.
- The impact of sectarian tensions and divisions among the opposition movement.
- The role of the Gulf Cooperation Council in suppressing the democratic movement.
- The geopolitical interests and relative inaction of Western powers.
Excerpt from the Book
4.1.2. Reluctant Use of Non-Repressive Legitimation Strategies
According to André Bank, there are three main non-repressive legitimation strategies a neo-patrimonial regime can resort to: (1) Rent-Seeking and Allocation, (2) Politics of Participation, and (3) Politics of Symbolism.
(1) The strategy of Rent-Seeking and Allocation concerns both economy and foreign policy. The regime needs to distribute rents and other material favors to politically influential clients as well as to larger parts of society in order to achieve regime maintenance. Since income from oil rents is declining, the regime also needs to try to attract foreign rents through its foreign policy.
(2) The strategy of Politics of Participation relates to “the inclusion or exclusion of other political actors into or from political decision-making processes” (Bank 2004: 160). The regime needs to create a balance between integrating politically influential actors into the system of rule and ensuring that none of these actors develop an own, alternative power base. Larger parts of society are usually incorporated through participation in municipal or parliamentary elections while anti-systemic movements are usually excluded or even persecuted.
(3) The strategy of Politics of Symbolism concerns the immaterial aspects of culture, identity and discourse. The ruler needs to “dominate the public sphere through media and other means in order to announce, explain, justify and legitimise his policy priorities as well as the decisions taken” (ibid.). (compare for entire paragraph Bank 2004: 159-161)
In Bahrain, the regime did not successfully use these strategies, neither before nor during the protests. Certain aspects are present but they were never fully executed. Their partial use was almost always directed at the Sunni population and allies. One exception is the attempt to “buy off” the protesters shortly before protests started, but this attempt failed as it only infuriated the protesters even more (Pupke 2011: 174). It was a symbol for the hypocrisy of the regime: It had not cared much about its Shiite population before and this offer was only an attempt to keep them quiet, not to actually help them.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Presents the research question regarding the failure of the Bahraini revolt in the context of the Arab Spring and highlights the unique status of Bahrain among Gulf monarchies.
2. The Kingdom of Bahrain: Provides a historical, political, and social overview of Bahrain, emphasizing its unique demographic composition and political structure.
3. The Protests: Chronicles the timeline and development of the 2011 protests, including government responses, the National Dialogue, and international reactions.
4. The Reasons for the Failure of the Revolt: Analyzes the multifaceted causes for the failed uprising, categorized into elite-intern dynamics, opposition disunity, and external influences.
5. Outlook: Synthesizes the findings to argue that meaningful reform is unlikely in the near term due to the consolidation of hardliner power and the lack of external support.
Keywords
Bahrain, Arab Spring, Gulf Cooperation Council, Shiite opposition, Al Khalifa, Political reform, Sectarianism, Protests, Middle East politics, Authoritarianism, Geopolitics, Regime stability, National Dialogue.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this work?
The work investigates the 2011 political uprisings in Bahrain and specifically seeks to explain why, unlike in Tunisia or Egypt, the revolt did not lead to a revolution or regime-initiated reforms.
What are the central themes discussed?
Key themes include the internal dynamics of the Bahraini ruling elite, the role of sectarian divides, the impact of pressure from other Gulf monarchies, and the geopolitical interests of Western nations.
What is the primary research question?
The study asks why the 2011 revolt in Bahrain failed to achieve its objectives and why the regime remained resistant to democratic reform despite widespread protests.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of political history, elite dynamics, and international relations, drawing on reports from international organizations and academic literature.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines the history of Bahrain, the specific timeline of the 2011 protests, the role of legitimation strategies, internal divisions within both the government and the protest movement, and the influence of regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia.
Which keywords best characterize this analysis?
The analysis is characterized by terms such as Bahrain, Arab Spring, Shiite opposition, regime survival, GCC intervention, and sectarian polarization.
How did the GCC influence the outcome of the Bahraini protests?
The GCC, led by Saudi Arabia, provided security forces to support the Al Khalifa regime, viewing the protests as a threat to their own monarchical systems and as a potential window for Iranian influence.
Why did the opposition movement fail to form a united front?
The opposition was split between moderate groups willing to engage in dialogue with the regime and radical hardliners who demanded the total downfall of the monarchy, a divide that the government exploited.
What role did the U.S. play in the Bahraini crisis?
The U.S. adopted a cautious approach, prioritizing its long-standing security partnership with the Bahraini government and its regional strategy against Iran over support for the democratic demands of the protesters.
- Quote paper
- Anna Fuchs (Author), 2012, Bahrain - The Exception in the Gulf, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/210628
