Political Processes in the Arab Gulf - Essay Example

? Midterm Exam How has the oil wealth affected the prospects of democratization in the Arab Gulf? The presence of wealth in the Arab Gulf has affected the gulf politically, economically and politically. Additionally it has affected the state of democracy in its members due to political matters that have come up due to presence of wealth. A country’s state of democracy is affected by its economic state due to the presence of funds and jobs, which reduces the level of poverty in individual country. According to researchers in these regions, oil as a source of wealth has played major role in the political democratization of these countries (Peruzzotti 34). They include the United Arab Emirates and other countries in the Middle East that are rich in oil deposits. However, various strategies have been put in place to help as sources of wealth since the economic levels of these countries largely influence democracy levels in these countries. Economic stability due to oil as a source of wealth in these Arab countries has largely influenced the political structure. Various economical factors have led to the democratization of these countries. The economic stability of a country accrues to a large percentage of the political stability. Economic stability means that there are enough funds to cater for the government’s operations. Democracy highly depends on the level of literacy in the society. In most of the developed countries, education is highly valued due to its contribution to the level of democracy in the member states, a situation where people are a literate. Education directly or indirectly provides knowledge to members of the society. Most of the countries provide education measures that contribute to the level of awareness. Education of the public provides them with the knowledge to help the society to vote the right representatives in congress or parliaments according to the provided individual government. In most third world countries, illiteracy contributes to political instability, which entails to high rates of in democracy in most of the countries. Leaders from the gulf countries provide the public with political knowledge that helps them to vote for the right representatives. Oil has a major role in the provision of amenities such as education and other social amenities. There are certain roles that come up due to the presence of oil in a country. Oil provides for the larger part of the country’s heritage by contributing to the tourism industry. The industry has contributed to the economy of these Arab countries due to the increased tourist attraction constructions such as the Palm Islands and other national projects that will help in the provision of funds to most of the running projects in these Middle East countries. Tourism is a project that has been put into consideration to help most of the countries to maintain their budgets after all of the oil reserves have been utilized. For example, countries such as Dubai have started constructing buildings and other tourism facilities that help in attracting the Western countries o these regions after the oil reserves have gone dry. This will balance the economy source of income, which must contribute to political stability in the country. Tourism will ensure that the provision of social utilizes such as education, health and other social responsibilities. Due to education, members of the society have the knowledge to choose some of the elite members. Elite politicians have a major role to shape the political structure in the community. In modern day society, provision of health activities has been an act from the politicians to search lure leaders to look for the best representatives in the community. Oil has contributed as the major source of income in the Gulf members, which helps in provision of funds to provide for government operations. Funds have contributed to health facilities which help in the control of social amenities a such as education that helps individuals to have a broader understanding of the Arab culture. Culture has contributed to the levels of democracy in most of the gulf countries due to its contributes to the national income. Oil deposits have helped in the investments from foreign countries. This has helped in creation of jobs and a source of foreign policy. According to economists, foreign policies have contributed to the growth of most third world countries. Exchange policies have helped through taxes and imports by these countries, which help in the creation of jobs. This has led to increased to the growth of transport and communication that contributes to democracy levels. In countries such as Dubai, there has been increased infrastructure that contributes in the present election of leaders due to family lines. In Dubai, leaders have been from the royal family. These leaders have introduced democracy due to leaders from the same family since the 1900s. Creation of jobs has led to increased circulation of money to the workers, which help them to educate the younger generation. The presences of elites who have undergone further education have help in the provision of knowledge to illiterate members of the society. Children are advised on the level of political stability in the country in their primary middle school and high school education programs. Presence of oil in these Arab countries has also helped in creation of jobs that has led to social integration. Social integration is due to interaction of members of the society who in this case are the employees in these countries. Immigrants and investors move to these countries due to presence of cheap labor. Through education, these students contribute to the political structure of these countries. There are course such as political science which are offered in most of the institutions. Civil wars have contributed to the political instability to most of the regions in the Gulf countries due to insecurity and illiteracy. 2. Discuss the dual role of the security sector in the Arab World as both a source of political stability and instability. Political instability is described as a political turmoil, which is characterized by a country losing control of its territory hence hindering the growth of the economy. On the other hand, political stability is experienced when the government of a country is able to control and run its businesses without by external factors like war. The political stability of a country can be affected by both negative factors like insecurity and positive factors such as insecurity. Most of the Arab countries have experienced the threat of political stability through war. The political threat 0f the Islam political system have been greatly affected by the war and ideological struggles. Political stability is a serious issue affecting most of the developing and the underdeveloped countries. According to researchers, political instability has created massive problems leading to hindrance of development of most of Middle East countries. The theme and vital importance of the essay is to enlighten individuals on the political instability due to insecurity based on Pakistan as a Middle East country. The article involves political stability based on identity and legitimacy, which are the key factors in ensuring that the society is incorporated and maintenance of legitimacy crisis in Pakistan territory. Political stability is a vital factor ensuring economic development, social interaction and largely influencing the law of a state. The stability of any political structure has effects on the nation policies and the state building. The growth and development of a nation with the absence of organized government systems of politics is incapable. Unorganized government societies tend to be catalysts of war among various societies. The security is a cause of political stability influencing instability in Pakistan. The instability and ineffectiveness of political parties lead to a weak political culture. Modernization of a country only occurs due to the degree of political stability (Patrick 78). Political stability of a country can also be achieved through the war. According to researchers, some of the countries of the Middle East countries have achieved their political stability through war. Leadership is an essential factor on the security of a country. Leadership is another factor influencing Pakistan political stability. Pakistan leadership style is hereditary varying from family patterns where leadership starts from top to bottom. The family charisma of leadership is popular due to the illiteracy of the citizens. The lack of education knowledge is a major factor in the decay of leadership generally affecting the political stability of Pakistan. Security can affect political stability in various ways where many Middle East countries have the challenge of governmental structure. Most of Arab countries use their resources and finances in war this has greatly affected the economy. Terrorism is a major contributor as the cause of political instability where most of the Arab countries are involved in the act. Researchers and activists have proved that the major issue that had caused of political instability of most of the Arab countries is insecurity occurring in the Middle East. The attack on the United States has greatly contributed to the downfall of the economy and political stability. The Arab spring was a major contributor to the political instability, which was caused by the failure of the war against terrorism, the Iraq war, the United States of America and failure to succeed in the peace treaty of Arab Israeli war conflict. The spring was also caused by internal factors like high economic difficulties, food insecurity, high prices on vital products and political rights. The financial gap between the North African and the Middle East were economic factors that caused the Arab spring High unemployment cases caused by the unstable political structures, which made the government to make unwise policies that, were unreliable to boost economic performance. The political instability of the Arab countries led to economic instability leading to food insecurity in most of the countries (Feng 23). The fundamental rights like freedom of speech, religion and corruption during elections. Poor technology was also contributed to the Arab spring since it led to poor communication between the protesters. Food insecurity is a potential activator of rebellion this is evident in cases where impacts of drought have greatly affected the political stability. Food security is a major source of grievances and motivator of rebellions that later ended up to conflicts. The al Qaeda used food shortage as weapon during the war where low food supply to the militants weakened the forces. Food security can hinder political participation in cases where the government focuses on securing the food in the country leaving other vital issues unattended. When the government ignores some of the vital issues, it influences the achievement of political goal, public needs and ideological ends. According to researchers, political stability largely affects the security sector of a country (Wolf 25). War and food insecurity largely affects the political stability. Most of the Middle East countries have largely been affected by the above factors. Some of the countries of the Middle East are able to conquer the ongoing wars in the country can ensure political stability. Works Cited Feng, Yi. Democracy, governance, and economic performance: theory and evidence. Cambridge, Mass.: MIT Press, 2003. Print. Patrick, Anne. Democracy. Mankato, Minn.: Creative Education, 2008. Print. Peruzzotti, Enrique. Critical theory and democracy civil society, dictatorship, and constitutionalism in Andrew Arato's democratic theory. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2013. Print. Woolf, Alex. Democracy. London: Evans, 2005. Print. Read More