The Historical Political and Economic Factors in Qatar - Essay Example

Country Profiling – Qatar al Affiliation) This paper is an analysis of the historical political and economic factors in Qatar and how they determine its position and contribution to the phenomenon that is world politics. Qatar began its history in 1760s following the migration of the Utub Tribe to Qatar from Central Arabia and Kuwait. They established their base in Zubarah, North Qatar. There was a long standing contention between Al-Khalifa (Utub) and Al,Thai (the ruling family) for years. 1867 saw Britain recognize Mohammad bin Thani (of the Al-Thai) as the representative of the Qatari (Fromherz, 2012). In 1916, there came into existence an acknowledgement by the British with Qasim Al-Thani recognizing the family as the rulers. In 1971, Qatar broke of the agreement after adopting constitutional independence. The country’s official language is Arabic but other languages such as English, Urdu, and Farsi are also spoken. The use of Arabic is in an effort to reinforce the country’s Islamic identity (Fromherz, 2012). The country has embodied the use of the word Khaleeji to differentiate golf states citizens from N. Africa and Levantine Arabs. The main religion that the country has taken up is Islam (specifically Wahhabism). However, in spite of the high upholding of Islam, the level of activity as regards Islam has been rated as medium. The country notably, has very few incidences that have been reported relating to anti-western terrorist activity. Qatar is ruled by an Emir and is subsequently and Emirate. This type of government is common only in Middle Eastern countries and has been linked to their practice of Islam. Since Qatar attained independence, the Al-Thani family has ruled the country. The cabinet ministers as well as official in high-ranking positions in Qatari government are from the Al-Thani family. However, a few appointments that are of a high level capacity have occurred outside the family. Notably though, the occurrence in question only comes about as a rarity (Gray, 2013). In 1998, Qatar went on to hold its very first open elections. The elections were centered on the election of a municipal council. There was a very large voter turn up as the historical event attracted a lot of attention. The election also attracted a large candidacy inclusive of women. However, no member of the female candidacy populace was elected; an illustration of the regard for female leadership and equality in Qatar at the time. The municipal council is meant to represent issues being faced in residential sectors to the relevant t government bodies. As a highly progressive country, the military position and activity in Qatar plays a big role in its development. Qatar has a very huge military presence with a potential manpower populace of 555,059 [people. The persons that are fit for service are 462,150. On an annual basis, those that achieve military age annually are 11,591.Qtar has no reserve personnel but the front personnel on active basis stands at 11,800. On a land perspective, the combat mode is the use of light tanks and battle tanks. The tanks in question are either tacked or wheeled. More recently, the use of Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) as well as Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) has been increased. The country’s air service has a total of 72 aircrafts, 51 transport aircrafts, 6 trainer aircrafts, and 43 helicopters. It has 58 defense crafts for the coastal borders. As one would expect, the main resource for funding is petroleum. The country produces 1,630,000 barrels per day and consumes 190,000. It is estimated that the petroleum reserves generate about 25,380,000,000 barrels in the same period. The country has been termed as one of the most security conscious with a total of $1,930,000,000 allocated to the defense budget (Ottaway, 2009). The country’s external debt in the same regard stands at $ 149,400,000,000. The rapid economical growth that Qatar has experienced over the years has gone on to increase its relevance in world politics. In world statistics of 2015, its economic freedoms stand at 70.8%. The economical; freedoms it enjoys are in terms of trade and labor (Gray, 2013). The challenged freedoms are in terms of corruption, monetary aspects and business regards. Qatar has managed to be the 32nd most free economy in the world as of 2015. Qatar has a large quantity of gas and oil reserves hence the occurrence of high standards of living. In the same light the world had taken particular interest to Qatar’s activities owing to said resource. However, the regulatory environment in the small nation is rigid an unsupportive to enterprises of a small and medium capacity (Fromherz, 2012). The country’s economy has also been tainted by the loss of respect for the rule of law owing to corruption. The 2022 world cup bid to Qatar has exposed the corruption level that the country is marred by. The Qatar government is however intent on focusing on the creation of open market policies in a bid to portray Qatar as financial and logistics hub. Following the attention it has received in its economic prowess, Qatar has increased its economic cooperation. This is has been postulated as one of the mechanisms with which it aims to achieve the Qatar Vision 2030 Projection (Qatar Financial Centre, 2009). Qatar is a member of various associations, amongst them; The United Nations, Arab Gulf Cooperation Council, Arab League and the Islamic Cooperation Council. The country has been an active contributor to matters of concern in the organizations outlined (Qatar Financial Centre, 2009). The country has become a visible factor in majority of the international forums. It has gained, because of the world’s focus on its rapidly progressive economy. The country has tried, much as it can to ensure that it makes an effort to achieve international cooperation with the larger section of the world; not just the developed world. As of 2015, Qatar had sent out diplomatic missions totaling to 77 in Europe, N. America, S. America, Africa, Asia as well as Oceania. The country has taken a special inclination to the United States, for obvious reasons. This relationship began after the establishment of their diplomacy in 1972. The two countries have gone on to cooperate in matters regarding Persian Gulf Security, and the U.S Military operations within the area. Qatar is also in support of the United States affiliated North Atlantic Treaty Org (Qatar Financial Centre, 2009). The United States has illustrated its commitment by welcoming hundreds of students from Qatar. Furthermore, six United States Universities have branches in Qatar. There are over 120 companies of U.S origin operating on Qatari soil. The United States major Exports to Qatar are agricultural products, medical instruments, and aircraft machinery. The imports on the other hand are liquefied natural gas, sulfur, fertilizers, and aluminum. The two countries belong to a number of organizations, World Bank, United Nations International Monetary Fund, and the World Trade Organization (Ottaway, 2009). However, it ought to be noted that in spite of the good relations the toe countries enjoy, Qatar dos not receive any development assistance from the United States. In conclusion, the economic journey that Qatar has followed is remarkable. In the future Qatar is likely to have an ever-larger say in world politics if it keeps up with this trend. References Fromherz, A. (2012). Qatar : a modern history. London ; New York: I,B. Tauris. Gray, M. (2013). Qatar : politics and the challenges of development . Boulder: Lynne Rienner Publishers. Ottaway,M.,Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2009). Iran, the United States, and the Gulf : the elusive regional policy. Washington,D.C.: Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Qatar Financial Centre. (2009). Qfinance : the ultimate resource. London: Bloomsbury. Read More