Qatar : a Modern History

What role does Qatar play in the Middle East and how does it differ from the other Gulf states? How has the ruling Al-Thani family shaped Qatar from a traditional tribal society and British protectorate to a modern state? How has Qatar become an economic superpower with one of the highest per capita incomes in the world? What are the social, political, and economic consequences of Qatar's extremely rapid development?. In this groundbreaking history of modern Qatar, Allen J. Fromherz presents a full portrait that analyzes Qatar's crucial role in the Middle East and its growing regional influence within a broader historical context. Drawing on original sources in Arabic, English, and French as well as his own fieldwork in the Middle East, the author deftly traces the influence of the Ottoman and British empires and Qatar's Gulf neighbors on the country prior to Qatar's meteoric rise in the post-independence era. Fromherz gives particular weight to the nation's economic and social history, from its modest origins in the pearling and fishing industries to the considerable economic clout it exerts today, a clout that comes with having the second-highest natural gas reserves in the region. He also looks at what the future holds for Qatar's economy as the country tries to diversify beyond oil and gas. Furthermore, the book examines the paradox of Qatar where monarchy, traditional tribal culture, and conservative Islamic values appear to coexist with ultra modern development and a large population of foreign workers who outnumber Qatari citizens. This book is as unique as the country it documents -- a multi-faceted picture of the political, cultural, religious, social, and economic make up of modern Qatar and its significance within the Gulf Cooperation Council and the wider region What role does Qatar play in the Middle East and how does it differ from the other Gulf states? How has the Al-Thani tribe shaped the history of modern Qatar? And how is a traditional tribal society adapting to its status as a burgeoning economic superpower? Qatar plays a crucial part in the Middle East today. With the second greatest natural gas resources in the region, Qatar's economic clout is considerable. At the same time the Qatar story is replete with paradoxes: the state hosts the Al-Jazeera media network, an influential expression of Arab nationalism and anti-Americanism, while also hosting the principal US naval base in the region. Its leaders, like Saudi Arabia's, adhere to the Wahhabi form of Sunni Islam, yet Qatar eyes its Saudi neighbours with suspicion. It is a fervent champion of the Palestinian cause, yet welcomes the Israeli Foreign Minister to present the Jewish state's case in its capital, Doha. With this groundbreaking modern history, Allen Fromherz presents a full portrait which analyses these paradoxes and Qatar's growing regional influence within a broader historical context. Drawing on original sources in Arabic, English and French, as well as his own fieldwork in the Middle East, Fromherz offers a multi-faceted picture of the political, cultural, religious, social and economic make-up of modern Qatar, its significance within the GCC states and the wider region. - Publisher. With The Second Greatest Natural Gas Resources In The Region, Qatar's Economic Clout Is Considerable. At The Same Time The Qatar Story Is Replete With Paradoxes: The State Hosts The Al-jazeera Media Network, An Influential Expression Of Arab Nationalism And Anti-americanism, While Also Hosting The Principal Us Naval Base In The Region. Qatar : A New Model Of Modernity? -- Qatar : Geography Of A Near Frontier -- The Origins Of Qatar : Between 'emergence' And 'creation' -- Creating Social Realities : Qatar And The British In The Twentieth Century -- Sheikh Khalifa And The Enigma Of Independence -- Sheikh Hamad And The Future Of Qatar -- Qatar's Political Economy : A Classic Rentier State? -- The Emir And The Exercise Of Authority In Qatar. Allen Fromherz. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Qatar : a new model of modernity? Qatar : geography of a near frontier The origins of Qatar : between 'emergence' and 'creation' Creating social realities : Qatar and the British in the twentieth century Sheikh Khalifa and the enigma of independence Sheikh Hamad and the future of Qatar Qatar's political economy : a classic rentier state? The emir and the exercise of authority in Qatar. Conclusions : change or continuity?