The crown al-Sabah family has ruled Kuwait since 1718, witnessing the transition of their merchant-based kingdom into an economically powerful sovereign state. The geographically minute Gulf state is home to 8.5% of the world's proven oil reserves making it the state with the 5th largest reserves on earth . I am writing to examine whether this oil is the basis for stability in Kuwait. With the revenues produced from oil, Kuwait now has an excellent welfare system, the 19th highest GDP per capita in the world (US$40,700) and a de jure democracy. Kuwait follows the Rentier State Theory (RST) to a great extent, aside from several irregularities due to the demographic. .
A rentier state is one that derives all or the majority of its revenue from the rent of an extractable raw material (usually hydrocarbons) to external buyers. Most of the Gulf States have become synonymous with rentierism. At the end of the 2011 fiscal year Kuwait reported oil revenues of US$44.43 billion, which accounted for 93% of total government revenues. This is no anomaly; since independence from Britain in 1961, Kuwait's oil revenues have averaged over 84% of the state's total revenues with the exception of 1991/1992 (dropping to 57%) due to the Iraqi invasion. These revenues from oil thus lead to a patron relationship between state and society called rentierism. RST is the theory that rentierism leads to authoritarianism and thus a lack of democracy. .
Since the majority of the population does not hold Kuwaiti citizenship (66.8%)4, there is a complex socio-political hierarchy within the state, whereby the minority (Kuwaiti citizens) hold virtually all political power - this power hierarchy is never challenged. Although the National Assembly (parliament) includes both Sunni (the majority religion), Shi'as and al-Bidun (literally "the without ", those who have no nationality legally but claim Kuwaiti ancestry) all of the key political positions such as Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Minister for Information, Minster of Foreign Affairs are all taken by members of the al-Sabah family, who are Sunni.
The population of Kuwait is a little over two point one million people. ... Kuwait's primary language is Arabic, but English is also widely spoken. ... Women also enjoy a central role in their families. ... It isn't uncommon to see Kuwaiti women dressed in western style clothing walking through the streets of Kuwait's cities. ... The government of Kuwait recognizes three principal churches. ...
Both Kuwait and Britain provide public health care for their citizens. ... The systems of healthcare provision in Kuwait and Britain possess similar properties and characteristics. ... This led to the provision of free vaccinations against such diseases in both Kuwait and Britain (Baggott, 1998). ... The government of Kuwait established many clinics and hospitals that are distributed equally throughout the country. ... The primary and most crucial source of income is the government of Kuwait. ...
To individuals, we may establish the family planning to control the growth of the population. ... To be frank, I am in high favor that we are well aware of the traffic problem In Kuwait: In Kuwait there are many car accident ,accident causation and injuries that can be considered serious or fatal, so that corrective measures can be taken to decrease casualties, resulting in a safer construction industry. ... This research confirms that construction is the most hazardous industry in Kuwait, with accidents accounting for 48%, 38% and 34% of all disabling injuries and 62%, 38% and 42% of all ...
My hypothesis is that the increase in demand for medical services results by increase of non-Kuwaiti health professionals, which shatters the stability and quality of the Kuwaiti health sector. ... Kuwait has a state funded healthcare system and it has provided a free of charge health care for all Kuwaiti population. ... With the investments and the expansion of the health care sector, Kuwait is facing more problems, the most important one is the rising number of non-Kuwaiti medical staff and doctors. ... Investing in Kuwaiti health care sector and its expansion It is not questionable that th...
This statement coincides with the events of the war in Kuwait. Upon entry into Kuwait, American troops received a remarkable order from top brass, " Stow your flags." ... Although this request by top military officials seems somewhat un-American, it was important to stress the purpose of the war in Kuwait, "Liberation, not conquest." ...
Kuwait greatly aided Iraq financially during these eight years resulting in an estimated $13 billion Iraqi debt to Kuwait ("Inside the Storm"). ... Iraq, which had long claimed that Kuwait was part of southern Iraq, argued that Kuwait had been separated from it illegitimately. ... Iraq formally withdrew its claim to Kuwait in 1963. ... Kuwait especially supported Iraq financially. ... Kuwait refused, and Iraq cited Kuwait's refusal to forgive Iraq's war-debt as another excuse for invading Kuwait. ...
They had several reasons for wanting Iraq out of Kuwait. ... The United States and the other Western partners wanted to ensure a steady supply of cheap oil and the invasion of Kuwait had risen the price of oil along with creating instability in the Middle East. The best way to restore order to the region and create some stability was to force Iraq out of Kuwait and severely weaken his government and military which the Allies were successful in doing. 4AP Press Toronto Star (February 14, 1991) A13 Another reason that has been suggested is that Iraq was permitted to invade Kuwait just...
When he took over Kuwait City there was no more use for the president and his family, so he put them into exile. ... It was still dark when the soldiers reached Kuwait city. ... As the Iraqi troops neared the palace, the president ordered his family to go in the helicopter that was waiting. ... The Kuwaitis also face 55,000 of the Iraqi tanks. ... "This will not stand, this aggression against Kuwait." ...
On August 2nd, 1990 Iraqi military forces invaded and occupied the small Arab State of Kuwait. ... His aim was to take control of Kuwait's oil reserves, which has about 10 percent of the world's oil reserves. ... Iraq surprised the entire world by invading Kuwait. ... He had seen what Kuwait was capable of; therefore, he wanted them to be protected. ... Saudi Arabia and Kuwait were the main donors. ...