The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”

The democratic “exceptionalism” which the emirate of Kuwait boasted after 1962 did not survive the 2000’s. Well before the “Arab Spring“, protest movements had taken shape there, demanding more democracy, less corruption and better-functioning institutions. Between 2011 and 2013, the new social medi...

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Main Author: Fatiha Dazi‑Heni
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences Sociales de Sanaa 2015-06-01
Series:Arabian Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/2868
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author Fatiha Dazi‑Heni
author_facet Fatiha Dazi‑Heni
author_sort Fatiha Dazi‑Heni
collection DOAJ
description The democratic “exceptionalism” which the emirate of Kuwait boasted after 1962 did not survive the 2000’s. Well before the “Arab Spring“, protest movements had taken shape there, demanding more democracy, less corruption and better-functioning institutions. Between 2011 and 2013, the new social media culture gave such demands a new impetus as a youth movement mostly hailing from the tribal periphery was joined by the traditional urban middle class.In the face of this innovative and determined opposition, the Gulf Cooperation Council, driven by Saudi Arabia, also stated its resolve, as it strengthened the institutional security framework by implementing more draconian measures throughout the common area. Does the Al Ṣabāḥ dynasty have the means to put the national interest first and push for more democratic institutions? The fact of the matter is that it is undermined by internal divisions. Although the Emir of Kuwait did actually sign the GCC Security Treaty it has never been ratified by Parliament. In 2014, the Al Ṣabāḥ dynasty faces the daunting task of putting an end to its internal rivalries and of finding a new equilibrium to govern the country.
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spelling doaj-art-5a876c928de8487f8bb465ce0633c22e2025-08-20T01:54:19ZengCentre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences Sociales de SanaaArabian Humanities2308-61222015-06-01410.4000/cy.2868The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”Fatiha Dazi‑HeniThe democratic “exceptionalism” which the emirate of Kuwait boasted after 1962 did not survive the 2000’s. Well before the “Arab Spring“, protest movements had taken shape there, demanding more democracy, less corruption and better-functioning institutions. Between 2011 and 2013, the new social media culture gave such demands a new impetus as a youth movement mostly hailing from the tribal periphery was joined by the traditional urban middle class.In the face of this innovative and determined opposition, the Gulf Cooperation Council, driven by Saudi Arabia, also stated its resolve, as it strengthened the institutional security framework by implementing more draconian measures throughout the common area. Does the Al Ṣabāḥ dynasty have the means to put the national interest first and push for more democratic institutions? The fact of the matter is that it is undermined by internal divisions. Although the Emir of Kuwait did actually sign the GCC Security Treaty it has never been ratified by Parliament. In 2014, the Al Ṣabāḥ dynasty faces the daunting task of putting an end to its internal rivalries and of finding a new equilibrium to govern the country.https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/2868Arab SpringParliamentKuwait exceptionalismAl Ṣabāḥ leadershiptraditional oppositionyouth movement
spellingShingle Fatiha Dazi‑Heni
The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
Arabian Humanities
Arab Spring
Parliament
Kuwait exceptionalism
Al Ṣabāḥ leadership
traditional opposition
youth movement
title The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
title_full The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
title_fullStr The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
title_full_unstemmed The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
title_short The Arab Spring Impact on Kuwaiti “Exceptionalism”
title_sort arab spring impact on kuwaiti exceptionalism
topic Arab Spring
Parliament
Kuwait exceptionalism
Al Ṣabāḥ leadership
traditional opposition
youth movement
url https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/2868
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