In recent years, we have witnessed huge economic and socio-political change in the Gulf. This book examines the rapid industrialization of the region and how local economies are starting to diversify away from petroleum, exploring how this transformative process is starting to impact on the region’s economy and social make-up.

With contributions from some of the top scholars and practitioners in the area, this book discusses crucial topics related to the region’s transformation, from issues of economic development and relations with Iran to foreign labour and women’s education and work outside the home. Chapters explore how in addition to the massive growth in investments and products such as oil, gas, chemicals, metals, and cement, this growth has triggered numerous societal changes, such as labour migration, educational reforms, declining natality, and shifting gender roles.

Covering in detail a broad range of issues, this book will appeal not only to Middle East experts, particularly those with an interest in the Persian Gulf, but also to development experts and political scientists.

Contents

Foreword Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa Al-Khalifa Introduction Jean-Francois Seznec Part 1: Financing the Growth 1. Lean and Mean: The New Breed of State-owned Enterprises in the Gulf Monarchies Steffen Hertog 2. Financing Industrialization in the Arab-Persian Gulf Jean-Francois-Seznec 3. Hawkamah in the Gulf: Local Reception of Modern Corporate Governance Standards for Publicly Traded Companies in the Arab Gulf States Alastair Hirst, Denton Wilde and Sapte Part 2: Competing Models: The Gulf Arab States and Iran 4. The Political Economy of Saudi-Iranian Relations: Present and Future Paul Aarts 5. Strategic Dynamics of Iran-GCC Relations John Duke Anthony 6. Gulf Cooperation Council Diplomatic Coordination: The Limited Role of Instiutionalization Matteo Legrenzi Part 3: Labour Constraints and Migration Issues 7. Dependence, Disdain and Distance: State, Laboutizenship in the Arab Gulf States Gwenn Okruhlik 8. Great Expectations: Western-style Education in the Gulf States Mary Ann Tetreault Part 4: The Role of Women in Industrialization 9. Saudi Women: Modernity and Change Hatoon Al-Fassi 10. The Role of Women in Industrialization in the Gulf: The Case of Bahrain Munira Fakhro Part 5 : Gulf Industrialization in Perspective 11. Gulf Industrialization in Perspective Hazem El Beblawi 12. Industrializing Gulf Society Frances D. Cook

Author Bio

Jean-Francois Seznec is Visiting Professor at the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University, and is Senior Advisor to PFC Energy in Washington, D.C. His research centres on the influence of the Arab-Persian Gulf’s political and social variables on the financial and oil markets in the region, with a focus on industrialization of the Gulf and, in particular, the growth of the petrochemical industry.

Mimi Kirk is Multimedia and Publications Editor atthe Center for Contemporary ...