CNN World, in a report dated 18th February, 2011, entitled “ 18 days of protests culminate in Mubarak’s ouster," confirmed the resignation of Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak. The earth-shaking protests in Egypt that began on 25th January, 2011, sent waves of uncertainty crashing through the Middle East, casting clouds over a number of ruling authorities in the region. Particular attention must now be placed on the region’s monarchies. With the spirit of democracy moving through the air with a heart full of people-power, the Middle Eastern monarchies are especially vulnerable.
Types of Monarchies in the Middle East
Monarchies in the Middle East can be classified into three categories, namely, absolute and constitutional monarchies.
Monarchs ruling in absolute monarchies retain complete and unlimited control over their people with no legally sanctioned opposition. King Louis XIV of France captured the essence of the power of absolution when he said, “I am the State.”
Constitutional monarchy is a form of government wherein the monarch and a constitutionally organized government share powers. The extent and scope of the powers of the monarch and the government is defined by the constitution of the country.
Dynastic succession is a key feature in hereditary monarchies. The crown is passed on in succession from the monarch to a predefined heir in the family, generally an immediate son or daughter. Absolute and constitutional monarchies may be hereditary in nature.
Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Jordan, Morocco, Oman and Saudi Arabia make up the club of monarchies in the Middle East.
Kingdom of Bahrain
Bahrain is an island-nation, west of Saudi Arabia. In 2001, the country voted to transform itself from an emirate to a constitutional monarchy. It has an elected parliament and an independent judiciary. The Khalifah family has headed the country since 1973 and the king is the supreme leader. The country is gradually opening up to a process of reform.
Sultanate of Oman
Oman is an absolute monarchy and was one of the most isolated countries in the Gulf region until the 1970’s when Sultan Qaboos Bin Said deposed his father and opened up the country through reform. The Sultan is the lawmaker and there are no legislative bodies. Representative bodies are purely consultative in nature.
Kingdom of Morocco
Morocco is ruled by King Mohammed VI under a constitutional monarchic system. It is one of the oldest monarchies of the world and has a parliament and a judicial system. While the monarchy has retained widespread power, King Mohammed VI has introduced reform and is widely regarded as a modernizer. The government of Morocco, headed by the Prime Minister, is answerable to the King. The King appoints the Prime Minister and the Cabinet Ministers. Morocco enjoys very good relations with the U.S and has been given the status of non-Nato ally by Washington.
The State of Qatar
Qatar is a constitutional monarchy. In 1995, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifah Al Thani deposed his father to take control of the nation as emir. The new emir flushed a new lease of life into the nation by introducing democratic reforms through the introduction of a constitution in 2005. The constitution of Qatar provides for the existence of legislative, executive and judicial authorities. However, Qatar bans the existence of political parties and does not allow public demonstrations. Al Jazeera, the popular news broadcast channel, is owned by the Qatar government and is testament to the country’s evolving freedom of the press. Censorship was lifted in 2005.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
King Abdullah heads the Kingdom of Jordan under a constitutional form of monarchy. Though legislative, executive and judicial authorities under a constitution are present, the King of Jordan has sweeping powers over them. Nevertheless, the call for reform is louder than ever and this is apparent by the recent sacking of the government by the King in reaction to the protests in Tunisia. A new prime minister was immediately appointed by him to initiate political change. Jordan is one of two Arab nations that have signed a peace-treaty with Israel (the other is Egypt) and has close ties with the U.S.
The State of Kuwait
The process of reforms in the Middle East has been strongest in Kuwait. The country is a constitutional monarchy and is headed by Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Jaber al-Sabah. It is the first Arab nation in the Gulf region to have an elected parliament and has gone the farthest in empowering women. In 2005, its parliament granted women the right to run for elections and to vote in them. Kuwait also has a very good record in terms of freedom of the press when compared to other Arab nations. State and private broadcasters share media space. It, too, enjoys very good relations with the U.S.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
The Al Saud dynasty has ruled in Saudi Arabia ever since the foundation of the state. Its head, King Abdullah, rules with no restrictions. In the absence of a constitution and legislative assembly, the powers of the monarch are sweeping, making Saudi Arabia an absolute monarchy. It is governed based on Islamic Sharia Law and bans political parties and demonstrations. It also imposes very tight restrictions and controls on the media. Saudi Arabia is known to have a very dismal track record for human rights. However, municipal elections were conducted in the country for the first time in 2005, thereby beginning the first steps in the direction of reforms. Women were barred from voting and contesting.
All of the monarchies in the Middle East are hereditary in nature.
After the gargantuan waves of change led to the dislodging of governments in Tunisia and Egypt, attention turns towards many of the region’s monarchies. Will they initiate, speed-up and ensure democratic reforms for their people or remain obstinate and rooted in the past, only to meet with the same fate as Hosni Mubarak, ex-president of Egypt?
Sources:
BBC News - How democratic is the Middle East Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Bahrain country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Morocco country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
Moroccan monarchy Accessed on February 12th, 2011
www.al-bab.com - Constitution of Morocco Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Qatar country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
www.al-bab.com - Constitution of Qatar Accessed on February 12th, 2011
CRS Report for Congress - Qatar: Background and U.S Relations Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Jordan country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
The Office of King Hussein I - Constitution of Jordan Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Kuwait country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
BBC News - Saudi Arabia country profile Accessed on February 12th, 2011
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