My presentation dealt with the monarchies in the Arab world. I presented each monarchy and its historical background, the respective social situation and tried to explain why the Arab monarchies haven proven very stable over the years. In this elaboration I will investigate the topic in more detail, with special attention to the fact why the Arab monarchies are still existing in times of uprisings. In order to answer this question, I will look at the monarchies' resources, their policies and government.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Arab monarchies
2.1. Morocco (constitutional monarchy)
2.2. Jordan (constitutional monarchy)
2.3. Saudi Arabia (monarchy)
2.4. The Gulf states
2.4.1. Kuwait (constitutional emirate)
2.4.2. Oman (monarchy)
2.4.3. Bahrain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates
3. The stability of the monarchies
4. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This work examines the resilience of Arab monarchies, investigating the historical and political factors that have allowed these regimes to remain largely stable despite regional uprisings and external pressures.
- Historical evolution of monarchical governance in the Arab world
- Role of oil resources in ensuring economic and political stability
- Influence of colonial legacies and international alliances
- Impact of religious traditions and hereditary power structures
- Socio-economic management and the mitigation of civil unrest
Excerpt from the Book
2.1. Morocco (constitutional monarchy):
The Kingdom of Morocco counts 30.704.000 inhabitants. The capital is Rabat which is located along the coastal side. The languages spoken in Morocco are Arabic, French as well as Berber dialects. Most of the citizens are Muslims, besides the life expectancy is about 70 years. The gross domestic product per capita is relatively low with $ 3.900, 52% of the population are able to read and write.
The royal family of the Kingdom of Morocco had existed since the seventeenth century. The country was independent and ruled by a sultan until the early twentieth century. In 1912, Morocco was split by the French and the Spanish during the 'scramble of Africa' (Gelvin, chapter five, p. 121) and thus lost its full independence. This caused a rebellion among the people of the Spanish part eight years later, in 1920. The protesters demanded an independent state; furthermore, Morocco should become a republic which would mean the end of the Sultan's reign. The Spanish and the French managed to put down the protests, the sultan could then continue to rule the state. After the Second World War, the sultan encouraged the nationalists to fight for Morocco's independence, in 1956 Morocco became a fully independent state. The politicians' power was passed on to the sultan, now king of the country, who had absolute control over the country.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: The author outlines the scope of the study, focusing on why Arab monarchies have remained stable over time despite regional political challenges.
2. The Arab monarchies: This chapter provides a detailed overview of the various monarchical systems in countries such as Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States, including their demographic and historical backgrounds.
3. The stability of the monarchies: The analysis identifies key factors contributing to regime survival, including religious tradition, economic reliance on oil, and the support of the ruling families.
4. Conclusion: The concluding section synthesizes the identified factors, asserting that the combination of traditional structures, oil wealth, and foreign support effectively prevents destabilization.
Keywords
Arab monarchies, political stability, oil resources, hereditary power, Middle East politics, constitutional monarchy, regime resilience, Gulf Cooperation Council, colonialism, historical background, socioeconomic factors, Sultan, Emir, nationalism, regional uprisings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core subject of this paper?
The paper examines the political and historical reasons behind the stability of Arab monarchies compared to other political systems in the region.
What are the primary themes discussed?
The research explores the influence of hereditary power, oil wealth, colonial history, and the socio-religious role of the monarchy in preventing uprisings.
What is the central research question?
The study aims to explain why Arab monarchies have remained stable even during periods of intense political uprising in the Middle East.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author utilizes a qualitative descriptive approach, drawing on historical documentation and comparative analysis of different monarchical regimes.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body details specific case studies (Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Gulf States) and evaluates broader stabilizing factors like oil exports and social policies.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include Arab monarchies, political stability, oil resources, hereditary rule, and regime resilience.
How does the author describe the influence of oil on stability?
Oil wealth is identified as a critical economic tool that allows monarchs to stabilize their countries and prevent social unrest through financial support.
What role does the 'scramble of Africa' play in the Moroccan context?
It marks a period of French and Spanish colonial intervention that significantly impacted Morocco's path to modern independence and the consolidation of royal power.
How does the paper differentiate between types of monarchies?
The text distinguishes between constitutional monarchies, absolute monarchies, and emirates, noting that their specific political configurations influence their relative stability.
- Citation du texte
- Nina Kelli (Auteur), 2014, History and Society of the Arab Monarchies. An Overview, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/430742
