Political absolutism in the Gulf monarchies

Over the last century, the Middle Eastern region has experienced, in relatively quick succession, most of the challenging experiences that many societies globally have collectively gone through over their historical life. These come with a social and political legacy that constitutes the strategic chessboard in which contemporary politics is shaped and played out. Such upheaval and disorder have had a far-reaching social and economic impact, which has shaped stability and economic development. The continued existence of the Gulf monarchies, despite the 2011 regional upheaval, raises questions of how and why they have proved resilient to this global trend.