...To what extent does the concept of the ‘rentier state’ account for the continued survival of absolute monarchies in the Gulf? Word count: 2589 Student number: 4827317 In the mid-eighteenth century, the emergence of absolute monarchies in the Gulf States takes root from their traditional royal families that were arbitrarily picked by British imperial interest – Saudi Arabia (the Al Saud family), Oman (the Al Said family), Kuwait (the Al Sabah family), Bahrain (the Al Khalifa family), Qatar (the Al Thani family), and UAE (a federation of seven sheikdoms). After the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, the traditional royal families in the Gulf States fell under British control, which sought to secure the route to India and pledged to protect the Gulf region from external aggression in return. Moreover, Britain’s imperial policy empowered the royal families’ authorities and gave them a recognized ruling identity. The arrival of Western oil companies, seeking concessions in the 1930s, further consolidated the authority of the ruling families (Cleveland and Bunton, 2009). This essay will focus on the impacts of oil-abundance on the Gulf states, which more precisely explain the resilience of incumbent regimes. The concept of ‘rentier state’ accounts for the continued survival of absolute monarchies such that democracy is forgone in favour of an authoritarian regime. The main argument of this essay is, however, that a combination of rentierism; and traditional Islamic...
Words: 3319 - Pages: 14
...The Rise and Fall of The French Revolution By Rhiannon Collins When starting this paper the question that was kept in mind was the French Revolution worth the price that was paid and was the revolution a success. My first answer was no due to the amount of violence and the amount of lives lost, also due to the fact that the monarchy in some sense, had been reestablished through Napoleon. Though there was tens of thousands of lives lost the French Revolution played an important role in history. Jeff Goodwin, a professor of sociology at New York University, defines revolution as," any and all instances in which a state or political regime is overthrown and thereby transformed by a popular movement in an irregular extra constitutional and/or violent fashion". The sheer violence of the revolution was something that stood out to me. The French Revolutionary war was certainly violent, especially compared to our own American Revolution in 1775. It is quite possible that the French were encouraged by the American Revolution. They saw the colonies join together in revolt against an overseas king, so why could they not revolt in their own country, against their own monarch for their own rights. In the time leading up to the French Revolution, France was wealthy and extremely powerful. Through my perspective there were a few causes of the historic event of the French Revolution. Let us take a look at some of them. One causes I believe is the rise of the cost of food prior to the...
Words: 1711 - Pages: 7
...that made the final end to institutions such as absolutism, feudalism, class privilege and legal inequality, and spread the principles of natural right, equality and freedom throughout the world. The three main causes of French revolution are as follows: 1. Political Cause 2. Social Cause 3. Economic Cause 4. Intellectual Cause. POLITICAL CAUSE That time France was the absolute monarchy with a weak monarch king Louis XVI - French king of the Bourbon dynasty who took the throne in 1774; inherited massive debt problems but was unable to fix them. France had long subscribed to the idea of divine right, which maintained that kings were selected by God and thus perpetually entitled to the throne. This doctrine resulted in a system of absolute rule and provided the commoners with absolutely no input into the governance of their country. In addition, there was no universal law in France at the time. Rather, laws varied by region and were enforced by the local government or religious groups. System was operated by without the support of the majority. SOCIAL CAUSE There was a rapid growth of industry and rise of the...
Words: 821 - Pages: 4
...suppression of what was called the feudal system, in the emancipation of the individual’ . This view suggests that the revolution was not just a shift from absolutism to democracy, but rather, the more revolutionary change from feudalism to capitalism. This notion is reinforced by Lefebvre, ‘it cleared the way for the triumph of capitalism, and inspired the socialism that was to subvert it’ . Therefore, its evident the revolution was revolutionary as it not only removed an economic system that had become the norm in France but paved way for a liberal self-empowering one. This laid the foundations for socialism, an ideology and sometimes revolutionary movement which shaped much of the preceding centuries. Thus the French Revolution was so revolutionary it acted as a trigger for future revolutions and movements in modern history. This again highlights the idea of the indirect impact the French Revolution had on changing the world, not just in the politically but also economically. The revolution was a transitioning point between old and new regimes and as Jones remarks it provided ‘the dividing line between the medieval and the modern eras in the western world’ . To a large extent, the French Revolution was...
Words: 1498 - Pages: 6
...RISE OF THE NATION STATE State, Nation, and Nation-state The present-day layout of the world’s political map is a product of humanities endless politico-geographic accommodations and adjustments. A mosaic of more than 200 states and territories separated by boundaries makes the world looks like a jigsaw puzzle. Human territoriality refers to a country’s (or more local community’s) sense of property and attachment toward its territory, expressed by its determination to keep it inviolable and defended. A state is a politically organized territory, administered by a government, and recognized by the international community. A state must also contain a permanent population, an organized economy, and a functioning internal circulation system (infrastructure). Since certain countries have internal divisions, the solution is to capitalize “State” (e.g. State of Florida, State of Uttar Pradesh India)). When used for the formally independent political units, the term country and state are interchangeable. A nation, by contrast, is a tightly knit group of people possessing bonds of language, religion, ethnicity, and/or other shared cultural attributes. Theoretically, a nation-state is a recognized country possessing formal sovereignty and occupied by a people who see themselves as a single, united nation. In only a handful of countries do state territories largely coincide with the distribution of people who feel they are part of one nation. Iceland, Portugal, Denmark, and Poland are...
Words: 2992 - Pages: 12
...Democracy Democracy is a word frequently used in British Politics. We are constantly told that we live in a democracy in Britain and that our political system is "democratic" and that nations that do not match these standards are classed as "undemocratic". The concept of "democracy" is contestable. It is understood by many people to mean a form of government in which a significant portion of the governed society has a franchise to elect members of the governing body. Other observers would argue that a "true" democracy is a system of government that embraces a universal adult franchise. While flaws exist in all democratic systems of government, most advocates accept Churchill's dictum that contemporary democracy as we know it is the least bad of all systems of government. What is democracy? The popular understanding of the term "democracy" is that there are three basic forms: direct, representative and constitutional. Direct democracy is a form of government in which the right to participate in making political decisions is exercised directly by all citizens, acting under procedures of majority rule. In large states, direct or participative democracy is not possible. Representative democracy is a form of government in which the citizens exercise the same right of participation in making political decisions, not in person but through elected representatives. However, different representative political structures can produce substantially different outcomes. There is no simple...
Words: 2847 - Pages: 12
...France The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a fundamental impact on French history and on modern history more broadly. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality and fraternity). The royal houses across Europe were horrified and led a countercrusade that by 1814 had restored the old monarchy, but many major reforms became permanent. So too did antagonisms between the supporters and enemies of the Revolution, who fought politically over the next two centuries. Amidst a fiscal crisis, the common people of France were increasingly angered by the incompetency of King Louis XVI and the continued indifference and decadence of the aristocracy. This resentment, coupled with burgeoning Enlightenment ideals, fueled radical sentiments, and the French Revolution began in 1789 with the convocation of the Estates-General in May. The first year of the Revolution saw members of the Third Estate proclaiming the Tennis Court Oath in...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a fundamental impact on French history and on modern history more broadly. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality and fraternity). The royal houses across Europe were horrified and led a countercrusade that by 1814 had restored the old monarchy, but many major reforms became permanent. So too did antagonisms between the supporters and enemies of the Revolution, who fought politically over the next two centuries. Amidst a fiscal crisis, the common people of France were increasingly angered by the incompetency of King Louis XVI and the continued indifference and decadence of the aristocracy. This resentment, coupled with burgeoning Enlightenment ideals, fueled radical sentiments, and the French Revolution began in 1789 with the convocation of the Estates-General in May. The first year of the Revolution saw members of the Third Estate proclaiming the Tennis Court Oath in June, the assault...
Words: 946 - Pages: 4
...For other uses, see Constitution (disambiguation). A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed.[1] These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is. When these principles are written down into a single document or set of legal documents, those documents may be said to embody a written constitution; if they are written down in a single comprehensive document, it is said to embody a codified constitution. Constitutions concern different levels of organizations, from sovereign states to companies and unincorporated associations. A treaty which establishes an international organization is also its constitution, in that it would define how that organization is constituted. Within states, a constitution defines the principles upon which the state is based, the procedure in which laws are made and by whom. Some constitutions, especially codified constitutions, also act as limiters of state power, by establishing lines which a state's rulers cannot cross, such as fundamental rights. An example is the constitution of the United States of America. George Washington at Constitutional Convention of 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution. The Constitution of India is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country in the world,[2] containing 444 articles in 22 parts,[3][4] 12 schedules and 118 amendments, with 117,369 words in its English-language translation,[5]...
Words: 9424 - Pages: 38
...Vocabulary: Goal 1 1. Historical narrative 2. Temporal structure (beginning, middle, end) 3. Time line 4. Historical succession 5. Historical duration (continuity) 6. Primary sources 7. Humanity 8. Historical passage 9. Historical perspective 10. Historical context 11. Literal meaning 12. Historical fact 13. Historical interpretation 14. Historical data 15. Hhistorical analysis 16. Cause-and-effect relationship 17. Value-laden 18. Moral convictions 19. Critique 20. Hypotheses 21. Historical inquiry 22. Eyewitness account 23. Statistical compilations 24. Journals 25. Census 26. Artifacts 27. Economic indicators Goal 2 28. Sustainability – supported,upheld ,of confirmed 29. Fertile Crescent – an area in the middle and near east: formerly fertile, now partly desert 30. Migration - a number or body of persons or animals migrating together. 31. Environment – the aggregate of surrounding things,conditions,or influences;surroundings; milieu 32. Human interdependence – all humans rely on each other. 33. Natural barriers – a natural limit or boundary of any kind. 34. Drought – a period of dry weather that whithers or kills the crops 35. Famine – extreme hunger or scarce amount of food. 36. Trade interactions -the influence of buying or selling trade with other countries. 37. Resources – a source of supply,support,or aid when specificity needed 38. River valley -a natural stream of water flowing in a valley...
Words: 2180 - Pages: 9
...Branches of biology * Aerobiology – the study of airborne organic particles * Agriculture – the study of producing crops from the land, with an emphasis on practical applications * Anatomy – the study of form and function, in plants, animals, and other organisms, or specifically in humans * Arachnology – the study of arachnids * Astrobiology – the study of evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe—also known as exobiology, exopaleontology, and bioastronomy * Biochemistry – the study of the chemical reactions required for life to exist and function, usually a focus on the cellular level * Bioengineering – the study of biology through the means of engineering with an emphasis on applied knowledge and especially related to biotechnology * Biogeography – the study of the distribution of species spatially and temporally * Bioinformatics – the use of information technology for the study, collection, and storage of genomic and other biological data * Biomathematics (or Mathematical biology) – the quantitative or mathematical study of biological processes, with an emphasis on modeling * Biomechanics – often considered a branch of medicine, the study of the mechanics of living beings, with an emphasis on applied use through prosthetics or orthotics * Biomedical research – the study of the human body in health and disease * Biophysics – the study of biological processes through physics, by applying the theories and methods...
Words: 1800 - Pages: 8
...INTRODUCTION All through the ages human societies have been plagued with tyranny and the abuse of power. Perhaps since the dawn of civilization and government, because long before democracy existed there were only absolute monarchies. People worked together to form the soundest methods of government. Eventually it would lead us to democracy. This cooperation is in our nature and a key factor that separates us from animals that rely solely on primal instinct. It is also human nature to yearn for absolute power and control. Suffice to say we are all greedy, prideful and envious of those above us in the social hierarchy (i.e. kings, presidents, and bosses). But once a member of the populace is exposed to this power over his fellow man, his senses and values have the potential to mutate and become tyrannical. Both male and females of any ethnic or cultural backgrounds are vulnerable to this anomaly and once affected are capable of inciting atrocities. Muammar Ghadafi was born into squalor to illiterate parents in a country dominated by European powers. He died in his palace at the hands of his own people. He gained and lost power during revolutions. The following documents Muammar Ghadafi’s decent into control, madness and the metaphorical abyss. EARLY LIFE Muammar al-Qaddafi was born in 1942 in the town of Surt , in western Libya . Raised in a Bedouin tent in the Libyan desert, he came from a tribal family called the al-Qadhafah. Both parents were nomadic Bedouin, and being...
Words: 3029 - Pages: 13
...Page 1 of 7 What is Social Contract Theory? The concept of social contract theory is that in the beginning man lived in the state of nature. They had no government and there was no law to regulate them. There were hardships and oppression on the sections of the society. To overcome from these hardships they entered into two agreements which are:1. “Pactum Unionis”; and 2. “Pactum Subjectionis”. By the first pact of unionis, people sought protection of their lives and property. As, a result of it a society was formed where people undertook to respect each other and live in peace and harmony. By the second pact of subjectionis, people united together and pledged to obey an authority and surrendered the whole or part of their freedom and rights to an authority. The authority guaranteed everyone protection of life, property and to a certain extent liberty. Thus, they must agree to establish society by collectively and reciprocally renouncing the rights they had against one another in the State of Nature and they must imbue some one person or assembly of persons with the authority and power to enforce the initial contract. In other words, to ensure their escape from the State of Nature, they must both agree to live together under common laws, and create an enforcement mechanism for the social contract and the laws that constitute it. Thus, the authority or the government or the sovereign or the state came into being because of the two agreements. Analysis...
Words: 2472 - Pages: 10
...In 1956 three professors of communication-Fred S. Siebert, Theodore Peterson and Wilbur Schramm-brought out their Four Theories of the Press which went a long way in establishing a typology in the minds of journalism educators and students. Siebert, Peterson and Schramm discuss journalism philosophy presenting four theories (or concepts): 1. the authoritarian theory, 2. the libertarian theory, 3. the communist theory and 4 the social responsibility theory. Very briefly, here are the main characterstics of each of these theories. Authoritarian: The state, as the highest expression of institutionalized structure, supersedes the individual and makes it possible for the individual to acquire and develop a stable and harmonious life Mass communication, then, supports the state and the government in power so that total society may advance and the state may be viable and attain its objectives. The State (the elite that runs the state) directs the citizenry, which is not considered competent and interested enough to make critical political decisions. One man or an elite group is placed in a leadership role. As the group or person controls society generally it (or he or she) also controls the mass media since they are recognized as vital instruments of social control. The mass media, under authoritarianism, are educators and propagandists by which the power elite exercise social control. Generally the media are privately owned, although the leader or his elite group may own units in...
Words: 1971 - Pages: 8
...Iqbal on Islam-Democracy Discourse: An Analysis of his Views on Compatibility and Incompatibility Tauseef Ahmed Parray Allama Muhammad Iqbal (1877-1938) was a poet and philosopher, a fine prose-writer, a great linguist and man of letters, a well-known lawyer, a leading politician, a front-rank statesman, an esteemed educationist, a great art critic, Muslim reformer, a dominant and one of the most distinguished thinkers of the 20th century. His writings – consisting of poetry in three languages: Punjabi, Urdu and Persian and prose in English and Urdu - have inspired thousands and his thought has moved millions. Iqbal was at the same time a philosopher in the line of al-Farabi, Ibn Sina and al-Ghazzali and a poet in the rank of Saa`di and Hafiz. For most of his life his profession was law and his passion, writing prose and especially poetry, considering it as a vehicle for the propagation of his thought. Iqbal studied both Islamic sciences and the Western philosophy. His writings were indebted to two principal sources: his Islamic heritage and the western philosophy he studied at Cambridge, Munich, and Heidelberg. The poetry of Iqbal is mainly philosophical and the questions relating to religion, race and civilization, government, progress of women, literature and arts, and world politics were of equal interest to him. In this paper, an exploration of Iqbal`s views about democracy is made, revealing that he accepted only those principles of democracy which he deemed...
Words: 3279 - Pages: 14
