Constitutional History and Practice in the Persian Gulf. A Brief Introduction

Authors : Borja W Gonzalez Fernandez

Pages : 1-22

View : 41 | Download : 48

Publication Date : 2024-06-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Makale Geçmişi Geliş: 26/04/2023 Kabul: 17/12/2023 Yayın: 30/06/2024 Anahtar Kelimeler: Constitutional History, Constitution, Law, GCC, Democratization. . JEL Kodları: K10, K30. Widely considered as the quintessential refuge of monolithic and patriarchal authoritarianism and the ultimate abode of absolutist dynasticism, the Persian Gulf region stands out as the world’s less democratic region in most relevant indexes. Paradoxically enough, the region also harbors one of the most consolidated experiments in effective democratization of the wider MENA area: Kuwait, where parliament and the courts have consistently—and successfully—defended their independence vis-à-vis the encroachment of executive authority. This paper, in examining this apparent paradox, will compare the political evolution of three of the region’s states (Bahrain, Kuwait itself, and the United Arab Emirates), ascertaining both the commonalities and the differences that explain their diverging constitutional structures as well as their contrasting political evolution. At the same time, the democratic optimism surrounding the Gulf area at the beginning of the present century, as expressed particularly in Anne-Marie Tétreault’s work, will also be put to the test. In so doing, due attention will be given to the strategic, demographic, and economic factors that have frustrated the attempts at political infitah opened in certain regional states since their independence.
Keywords : Anayasa, Tarihi Anayasa, KIK, Demokratiklesme