Development And Progress Of Qatar - Book Report/Review Example

Development And Progress Of Qatar Written by Fromherz, Qatar: A Modern History focuses on the development and progress of Qatar as well as the new modernity that has been constructed in the society as a result. However, the author through his work wants to reiterate the fact that despite various developments achieved in the nation, the Qatari roots have still not been lost and that contrary to popular belief, Qatari culture goes hand in hand with the country’s progress. Thus it becomes clear that the main problem that the author is addressing is the modernity being developed in Qatar as well as the new model being implemented throughout the nation. However, despite the emerging new model and albeit the modernity concept being projected through “concrete buildings, traffic lights, ring roads” and air conditioned homes, shopping malls and universities, the author strongly believes that the Qatari culture has not been lost nonetheless and he claims that it is deep rooted in every Qatari’s heart (Fromherz p. 1). The author makes the assumptions that the worldwide view of Qatar having forgotten its culture and having resorted to western developmental policies has little to do with real Qataris as compared to foreigners. Furthermore, the author makes the assumption that in addition to foreigners who do not necessarily see the Qatari culture still alive and flourishing throughout the nation, the newer generations are the ones that “will not remember the way of life,” which epitomized the Qatari culture (p. 2). Moreover, the author overtly questions the exaggerated way in which some citizens want to project their maintenance of old Qatari culture through undertaking projects such as building new “Qatar National Museum” and “Museum of Islamic Art” (p. 3). The author thus believes in the more subtle expression of Qatari culture by ordinary citizens reflected through their day to day life in the Qatari society. In order to support his claims and beliefs the author presents various evidences throughout his work, which can be understood upon careful analysis of the text. The first and foremost evidence the author provides with reference to the significant thriving presence of Qatari culture is the prevalence of “long established lineage loyalties” in the present scenario as well as all Qataris agreeing that they are in deed ruled by Emir (p. 3). Thus, the author illustrates that what seemed to have changed so fast in fact has not, in retrospect, changed at all and this is further evidenced as he asserts that the “names, loyalties and social networks” of past have only deepened overtime (p. 3). Therefore, the historic rights that were earlier possessed by royal lineages are still possessed by the next in the family line, thereby indicating the prevalence as well as maintenance of “social position, status and rights” throughout various generations of chiefs of Naim into the present one (p. 4). Furthermore, the author compares the Qatari culture to that of the Western one and observes that the former has not lost its functionality, whereas the latter has lost its genealogy to the internet. Another argument the author uses to support his claim is that the change in Qatar is characterised merely by environmental transformations that have taken place and the “fundamental human relations” still remain same for all Qataris (p. 4). Therefore as a result of this, the Qataris are still traditionally and culturally bound to the rules and norms set by the previous generations of Qatari societies, thereby illustrating the still dominant hold of Qatari culture. The author also highlights the common notion brought upon by Western society that there is always a conflict that exists between “tradition and economic modernity” (p. 5). However, the political stability of the country along with the social constructs of lineage based on same arrangements that have been carried down throughout history reveal that this notion does not apply to Qatar. Therefore, the author finds that Qatar is still a monarchy and yet has attained various developments, which now render the country the “world’s richest nation” in terms of per capita” (p. 1). The author goes on to conclude that the present Qatari culture, which holds much truth as compared to its historical roots, is influenced by various historical and social factors such as the social system followed in the country as well as the strategy of mediation used, rather than merely its oil reserves. A reader can understand the strengths and weaknesses of the text upon reading it, and in the piece of literature under study, the major strength is that the author has deftly summarised the history of Qatar quite briefly. His use of simple language makes it quite easy to understand and follow his thoughts as well as his logical arguments. Furthermore, the subheadings provided by the author make it easier to understand what particular sections of the text contain as well as it helps understand the main points of the text. The weakness of the text maybe the lack of introduction of various tribes mentioned in the beginning, however, it is also true that such introductions will further complicate and lengthen the text. Thus, it can be concluded that the work is quite a good piece, which presents information concisely as well holds true to its purpose and arguments presented. However, there maybe certain counter arguments that can be presented against the claims of the author, for instance, the projects involving building of museums. In my opinion, such restoration-oriented projects will help revive the culture and historical significance of Qatar, thereby contributing to the country’s and present society’s retirement of it. Furthermore, the author says that it is the present generation that will forget the way of living of Qataris, however, children grow up seeing what their parents do. The case would be similar here too, thus if children, when grown up, forget the way Qataris lived, then it is because of the lack of indulgence of their parents in that way of life. However, the author asserts that older generation live by Qatari way of life, thus this can be counter argued in this way. Reference Fromherz, A, J. Qatar: A Modern History Read More