From Sheikhs to Sultanism

Description

Muhammad bin Salman Al-Saud and Muhammad bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the respective princely strongmen of Saudi Arabia and the UAE, have torn up the old rules. They have spurred game-changing economic master plans, presided over vast anti-corruption crackdowns, tackled entrenched religious forces, and overseen the mass arrest of critics. In parallel, they also appear to have replaced the old ‘sheikhly’ consensus systems of their predecessors with something more autocratic, more personalistic, and perhaps even analytically distinct.

These are the two wealthiest and most populous Gulf monarchies, and increasingly important global powers—Saudi Arabia is a G20 member, and the UAE will be the host of the World Expo in 2021–2022. Such sweeping changes to their statecraft and authority structures could well end up having a direct impact, for better or worse, on policies, economies and individual lives all around the world.

Christopher M. Davidson tests the hypothesis that Saudi Arabia and the UAE are now effectively contemporary or even ‘advanced’ sultanates, and situates these influential states within an international model of autocratic authoritarianism. Drawing on a range of primary sources, including new interviews and surveys, From Sheikhs to Sultanism puts forward an original, empirically grounded interpretation of the rise of both MBS and MBZ.

Reviews

‘As with Davidson’s other works, [From Sheikhs to Sultanism] is written in clear, even entertaining prose, uncluttered by jargon. It is far and away the best work on these two leaders, the regimes they have created, and the sultanistic version of authoritarian developmental states.’ — British Journal of Middle Eastern Studies

‘A remarkable volume from one of the most provocative and original scholars of Gulf Arab politics. Davidson fuses a sweeping and critical literature survey with detailed empirical research and fresh theoretical insights. This is a must-read for all those concerned with authoritarianism’s dynamism around the globe.’ — Frederic Wehrey, Senior Fellow, Middle East Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

‘In this impressively written and meticulously detailed book, Davidson provides rich and comparative insight into the two men who, between them, have reshaped—and look set to dominate—regional politics in the Gulf for the foreseeable future.’ — Kristian Coates Ulrichsen, Fellow for the Middle East, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University, and author of Qatar and the Gulf Crisis

‘Davidson’s newest book offers nuanced and theoretically refreshing insight on current political dynamics in the Gulf monarchies of Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Rich in empirical detail and engaging to read, this book will appeal to all those with an interest in contemporary Emirati and Saudi politics.’ — Zahra Babar, Associate Director for Research, CIRS, Georgetown University in Qatar

‘With this new book, Davidson continues his tradition of posing provocative questions about Gulf politics. Examining technologies of power and political authority, he provides absorbing insight into the evolution of two of the most influential states in regional politics. A must-read.’ — Simon Mabon, Professor of International Politics, Lancaster University

Author(s)

Christopher M. Davidson has long-standing research interests in the comparative politics of the Gulf states, and was previously a reader at Durham University and an assistant professor at Zayed University, UAE. His publications include Dubai: The Vulnerability of Success; Abu Dhabi: Oil and Beyond; After the Sheikhs: The Coming Collapse of the Gulf Monarchies; and Shadow Wars: The Secret Struggle for the Middle East.