Abstract
This chapter examines the transformation of Qatar from a tribal confederacy to a modern state that draws its power from its ruling family and the constitution. The chapter claims that this process was founded on two important factors. The first factor was associated with the emergence of the Al Thani ruling family that succeeded in uniting Qatari tribes under its leadership and protecting them from Bahrain’s aggression. The second factor was the oil revenues that facilitated the development of government administrative institutions on a modern fashion. Special attention is paid to the internal and external political discourse that made this shift came true.
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Notes
- 1.
The sedentary tribes included al-Maadhid, al-Khalifat, al-Kubaysat, al-Buaiynain, al-Sudan, Al-Bin Ali, al-Bukwara, al-Sulta, al-Mananah, al-Mahanda, al-Hula.
- 2.
The pastoralist tribes included al-Manasir, Beni Morah, al-Hawajer and al-Koban.
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Abushouk, A.I. (2021). Qatar: From a Tribal Confederacy to a Modern State. In: Zweiri, M., Al Qawasmi, F. (eds) Contemporary Qatar. Gulf Studies, vol 4. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-1391-3_2
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