Kuwait and Al-Sabah : Tribal Politics and Power in an Oil State - Rivka Azoulay

Kuwait and Al-Sabah

Tribal Politics and Power in an Oil State

By: Rivka Azoulay

Hardcover | 20 August 2020

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The Emirate of Kuwait hardly resembles the city-State it was at the start of the 20th century. The discovery of oil in 1938 rapidly transformed the tiny tribal sheikhdom of the Al-Sabah into a modern oil-producing state where citizens now enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. But while much has been written on the reasons why and how the Al-Sabah became a ruling dynasty, little is known about the nature of their authority or its relationship to Kuwait's social structure. This book looks at how previously marginalized communities came to wield political power in the country. The author shows that, despite the magnitude and the rapidity of change in the oil-rich, family-run emirate, it is the pre-oil dynamics of social and political life that dictate how society operates. Examining what this pre-oil society looked like and focusing on the three main groups in Kuwait, hadar (urban dwellers), Shia and badu (tribesmen), the book traces the social and political developments and how they impacted on the decisions and actions of the regime. Part I provides a historical account of the fundamentals of the Al-Sabah's authority structure in Kuwait since the mid-19th century. Part II analyzes the regime-society relations following independence and its consolidation into an oil state until the invasion of Iraq (1961-1990). Part III looks at the rise of the tribal periphery in the politics of Kuwait from the invasion until 2014. The book makes a new argument about the relationship between the ruling elite and the periphery and gets to the heart of the nature of political order and authority for the Al-Sabah dynasty.
Industry Reviews
This is the definitive political history of Kuwait. Rivka Azoulay examines its experiences within the context of political change in traditional societies and centre periphery relations. It is an excellent work and essential reading for those interested in the history of Arabia and the Gulf. -- Rodney Wilson, Emeritus Professor, Durham University, U.K
A magnificent volume that connects past and present to provide one of the most comprehensive books on Kuwaiti politics to date. -- Christopher Davidson, Associate Fellow, Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), U.K
Rivka Azoulay's book combines ethnographic finesse with a deep grasp of Gulf historical sociology. It is, by some margin, the best piece of work on the political sociology of GCC elites. Its historical range is impressive and theoretical insights about how the Kuwaiti rentier state allies with and reshapes social groups are unique, adding a dimension of identity politics to Gulf political economy that has long been missing. -- Steffen Hertog Associate Professor in Comparative Politics, London School of Economics and Political Science, UK
In this excellent political history, Rivka Azoulay provides a compelling explanation of the complex political dynamics between the various constituent elements of Kuwaiti society, as well as how and why the country has survived until today. What emerges is a nuanced analysis of the relationships between the Al Sabah dynasty, the tribes, the Shia and the families of urban notables. There is no better or more up-to-date study on Kuwait's history and politics. -- Bernard Haykel, Professor of Near Eastern Studies Director, Institute for Transregional Study of the Contemporary Middle East, Princeton University, U.S

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