Change and Development in the Gulf (Electronic book text)

This book analyses some important social, economic and political processes of change, stagnation and development in the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council as a result of oil revenue. Part I addresses the impact of oil in redefining the distributive role of the state and in shaping economic policies. Gulf states are seeking to industrialize as a way of diversifying from dependence on oil. However, such an endeavour may be hampered by human resources, and the social and political difficulties addressed in the book. Lack of population policies, problems of national human resources development and the slow change in gender relations is presented in part II with reference to some country experiences. Part III deals with the impact of the Gulf War on causing limited change in the regional political systems and in raising security fears which have led to a huge increase in the already high military expenditure.