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Demonstrates how Dubai's pioneering post-oil development strategies were implemented against a carefully managed backdrop of near complete political stability, despite the lack of democratisation and genuine civil society. This work also analyses Dubai's awkward relationship with its federal partners in the United Arab Emirates.
256pp May 2009
| Hardback | | 9781850658887 | | £25.00 | | Buy Now | | Paperback | | 9781850659860 | | £12.99 | | Buy Now |
Dubai is a remarkable success story. From its origins as a small fishing and pearling community, the emirate has gone from strength to strength, having established itself as the premier trading entrepot of the Arabian Gulf and, in more recent years, having boomed into a massive metropolis of some two or more million people, most of whom are expatriates engaged in an increasingly diversified economy that has become synonymous with startling and innovative architecture. Following a detailed historical background, Davidson's in-depth study demonstrates how Dubai's pioneering post-oil development strategies were implemented against a carefully managed backdrop of near complete political stability, despite the lack of democratisation and genuine civil society.He then addresses the problems that may surface as the need for sustained foreign direct investment encourages far-reaching socio-economic reforms, many of which may affect the ideological, religious, and cultural legitimacy of the traditional monarchy. He also analyses Dubai's awkward relationship with its federal partners in the United Arab Emirates, before highlighting some of the hidden costs of being the region's most successful free port—namely its attractiveness to international criminal fraternities, the global black money economy and terrorist networks.
Reviews ‘Dr Davidson nicely lays out this flashy emirate’s
astonishing ascent from tiny fishing and pearling
village to global hub.’ — New York Times
‘Davidson traces Dubai’s rise from sleepy Gulf port
to player on the world scene.’ — Los Angeles Times
‘This is the definitive book on Dubai and is likely to
become a classic in Gulf studies.’ — Professor Ray
Hinnebush, St Andrews University
‘It is no surprise a book that analyses Dubai’s weaknesses, as well as
its virtues, provoked nervousness in the emirate. … Davidson’s book
should be seen in Dubai as an important contribution. … It charts a
fascinating history of an obscure part of the Gulf, explaining the
ability of the emirate to pursue economic liberalisation without
political reform. ... But Davidson sends warning shots that signal the
concerns of local citizens. Strains in the ruling bargain have emerged,
he argues, as nationals find themselves a small minority in an
unrecognisable city. ... Perhaps most irritating to the Dubai
authorities is Davidson’s depiction of the more seedy side of the city,
where he says smuggling, arms trading and prostitution are rife. …
There is much in this book that Dubai prefers to ignore.' —Financial Times
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