Strategies for Regime Resilience

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between sectarian identities in national politics and uprisings in the Gulf region following the Arab Spring of 2011. It concentrates on the cases of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain. It argues that the prevalence of sectarianism in KSA and Bahrain, as well as their discriminatory policies towards members of their Shi’a communities, played a decisive role in fomenting uprisings. On the other hand, the UAE's adoption of non-discriminatory policies towards its citizens led to relative calm. The thesis suggests that KSA and Bahrain could develop a more stable and resilient model of stability by accommodating Shi’a communities. Here, the case of the UAE provides a basis for comparison due to similarities in its political and social composition. Overall, this thesis highlights the importance of managing sectarian identities in national politics to ensuring stability in the Gulf Region.