This book explores the contemporary history, governance, foreign policy, political economy, culture and society of Kuwait. It highlights the dynamics of the country, putting forward both an overview of each subject covered and also new research findings.

Mahjoob Zweiri is Professor in Contemporary Politics and History of the Middle East with focus on Iran and the Gulf region, and Director of the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University.

Sinem Cengiz is Researcher in the Gulf Studies Center at Qatar University with focus on Gulf politics and society.

Preface and Acknowledgements vii

About the Editors ix

List of Contributors x

List of Figures xiv

List of Tables xv

1 Contemporary Kuwait through the State and Society: An Introduction 1

MAHJOOB ZWEIRI AND SINEM CENGIZ

2 Kuwait's Political History: From Tribal Sheikhdom to Semi-democratic State 7

ABDULRAHMAN ALEBRAHIM

3 Kuwait: A Political System in Crisis 26

HAMAD H. ALBLOSHI

4 From Grassroots to Public Diplomacy: Diwaniyya as an Alternative Sociopolitical Institution 44

CLEMENS CHAY

5 Kuwait's Foreign Aid: Motivations and Allocations 69

MOHAMMAD YAGHI

6 Intra-Gulf Dynamics: Pursuit of Survival within the GCC 88

KRISTIAN COATES ULRICHSEN

7 Kuwait's Relations with the Global Powers: US, Russia, and China 103

GIORGIO CAFIERO

8 Kuwait and the Palestinian Cause: Mutual Search for National Pride 119

MESHARI HAMAD ALRUWAIH

9 Role of Urbanization in Changing Social Norms to Laws: Impact on Status of Kuwaiti Women 138

MUYASSAR H. SULEIMAN

10 Political Economy of Kuwait through the Prism of Its Hydrocarbon Sector 157

NIKOLAY A. KOZHANOV

11 Citizenship, Identity, and Human Rights in Kuwait 176

GHANIM ALNAJJAR

12 Kuwait's Publication Law: A Civil Act to Protect Freedom of Expression 191

TAHANI ALTERKAIT

13 Culture, Politics, and Citizenship in Kuwait 206

COURTNEY FREER

Index 223