Generational change and elite-driven reforms in the Kingdom of Bahrain

With the onset of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s reign in March 1999, Bahrain embarked on an unexpected and radical departure from the political order of the past. Since Bahrain achieved full independence in 1971, the secure monarchical system had possessed a monopoly on political and legislative power. Historically, this status quo was only interrupted by a short-lived experiment with political enfranchisement following the adoption of a constitution in 1973. As this provided for an elected unicameral advisory legislature, Bahrain was viewed as one of the more progressive monarchies within the Arabian Gulf. Although elections did take place, the National Assembly and the constitution proved to be a brief experiment. The dissolution of the National Assembly mainly stemmed from its representatives objecting to the ability of the government to detain political suspects for up to three years without trial under the provisions of the 1965 Public Security Law. Compounding this, the privileges that the ruling Al Khalifa tribe enjoyed in terms of land and financial allowances were coming under increasing scrutiny.

As a result of such heated debates, Emir Isa bin Salman saw the National Assembly as intent on challenging the moral and religious legitimacy of the Al Khalifa, and thus opted to suspend the parliament in August 1975 while it was on its summer break. Legislative authority passed to the cabinet as parliament was not reconvened; this characterised the status quo in Bahrain until a new era of reform began under the newly styled monarch, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.