Kuwait’s democracy troubles Gulf Arab rulers

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The ups and downs of parliamentary democracy in Kuwait are being used by Gulf Arab rulers to discredit the idea of representative government that dilutes their immense powers, analysts say.

A new episode in the soap opera of Kuwait’s system began last week with an attempt by parliamentarians to force out the country’s interior minister, who is a member of the ruling family.

The Sabah family is expected to remove him rather than see one of its own face a public thumbs-down in a no-confidence vote expected to come this week.

Last month the former British protectorate of 3.2 million, one of the world’s largest oil exporters, held its third elections in three years, part of a protracted tussle for power between the ruling family and elected parliamentarians.

But the trend in the Gulf, from commentary in state-dominated media to official statements, has been to cite Kuwait, unique in its wide, free vote for a parliament with teeth, as an argument for more dynastic and autocratic rule.

The violence following Iran’s recent elections has also raised Gulf fears of instability, giving another reason for no change.

Islamist and tribal deputies stand accused of holding back government development plans by voting down legislation proposed by cabinet and seeking no-confidence votes in Kuwaiti ministers.

“In recent months there was a lot of glee and schadenfreude about Kuwait’s political problems. Many articles were written about the mess that Kuwait’s democracy had got them into,” said British academic Christopher Davidson, a Gulf specialist.

Gulf countries often cite “khususiyya”, or special characteristics, to justify limiting popular participation in government and prefer to avoid the word “democracy”.

In 2006 elections to the Federal National Council of the UAE, for example, less than one percent of the country’s native population was eligible to vote.

“Our leadership does not import ready-made models that may be valid for other societies but are certainly not suitable for our society,” Dubai Ruler and UAE Vice-President Sheikh Mohammed said in an interview in April this year.

Western governments, who back the Gulf ruling families, also look askance at the sight of Islamists spoiling plans for economic liberalisation in Kuwait or the chance of gaining a say elsewhere.

“The way things go are not encouraging with development [projects] blocked by deputies. Even Kuwaitis are embarrassed about their democracy,” said a Western diplomat in Riyadh.

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READERS' COMMENTS

The Rulers are very effective.
Posted by Alexei Zyryanoff (Russian community of Arabia), Moscow, Union State of Russia and Belorussia on Wednesday 22 July 2009 at 08:57 UAE time


There is no such thing as "democracy". "Democracy" is a myth. It did never exist, it does not exist and it won't exist ever.

The Arabian Rulers should continue the way they are and put more barriers to the idea of the so-called "democratisation". They should dismiss the idea altogether and effectively supress those who try to impose it on the region. A good idea would be also to switch international affiliations from countries that put pressure on them and impose this insane idea to countries that would not do it. Russia, for instance, would never do it.

Long live the Monarchy!

http://emir-sergei.livejournal.com/

Transformation to Democracy
Posted by Sachith. C on Monday 6 July 2009 at 08:53 UAE time


Democracy is a new baby to the Middle East Region.
If you look at the rest of the world they have walked through these paths refining their democratic structure. Democracy is not built in a day, The success comes only when the real aspect is assimilated by the citizens of the country and not just a few that is elected to the parliament.
Yes, impeaching a inappropriate minister is possible in democracy as he faces the people's court, and that is the greatness of democracy.

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