Book Review
Introduction
The book, ‘The United Arab Emirates: Power, Politics, and Policy Making’ Kristian Coates, provides an in depth analysis of the UAE, through analysing the progress it is making as a country both politically, economically hence being a significant regional power. Reading the book consequently gives the reader an understanding of the how the UAE as a country is focused on achieving its dreams. In addition, the book also provides the reader with a broad understanding of how the country runs its affairs, rather than focusing on entertainment as Dubai is majorly known for. For that reason, this paper will provide a book review of the book, whereby it will make available a description of the book then provide a synopsis, before finally providing a critical evaluation.
A Description of the Author’s Project
The author wrote the book with the aim of providing an understanding of how the UAE plays a critical role in policy making, politics, as well as in matters concerning superiority in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The author has concisely provided information with relevant support, of how the country has been able to maintain a positive relation with its neighbouring Arabic countries, hence being able to emerge as an important regional power. In addition, the book has also discussed the innumerable procedures of state formation as well as political and economic development that have allowed the UAE to remain at the core of its mission of reuniting the Arab countries, as well as partnering with other countries in a bid to realise its dreams. Likewise, as a regional power, the country was able to play a critical role in the post Arab Spring through the reorganization of the Middle East together with the North African politics. In order to remain successful in its quest to being a regional power, the UAE has also partnered with the US in matters concerning military and the security of the region, “state formation and political and economic development that have enabled the UAE to emerge as a significant regional power… (Kristian, 1)” On the other hand, the author has provided a detailed description and explanation of the way through which the UAE has aligned itself both politically and economical in order to safeguard its position as the regional power in the Middle East.
The book has basically answered all the questions the author had presented henceforth, providing relevant information regarding UAE’s move towards success in the region. In addition, each section has been critically analysed by the book, for example, the book has addressed the success of the country chronologically beginning with the year the country attained its independence, down to the way the seven emirates are working together to achieve a common goal. On the contrary, the author has also addressed the challenges faced by the country, which includes the 2008 financial crisis and its impact which led to an imbalance between the two emirates Abu Dhabi and Dubai, “However, the 2008 financial crisis and its aftermath underscored the continuing imbalance between Abu Dhabi and Dubai… (Kristian, 1)” in so doing, the author has been able to make the book all rounded, in the sense that it does not only focus on one side, but both the challenges the country has been facing on its journey to achieving its goals.
Synopsis
The main issue being addressed by the author in the book is concerning the political and economic advances that have allowed the UAE to surface as a momentous regional power. The book focuses on a broad field of exploration in the UAE and offers an analysis to position the country as a main player in the post-Arab spring as well as reorganisation of the Arab Nations in the Middle East and Northern African politics, with the aid of the US which offers assistance in issues concerning security within the region. Similarly, the book also explores the unpleasant foundation of that growth in regards to the state of affairs of migrant workers, current involvements in both Yemen and Libya and recently, one of the country with the highest number of prisoners per capita all over the world. Furthermore, the book also provides a discussion of the probable policy encounters which the UAE is likely to face in the near future particularly as it moves to its 50th anniversary in the year 2021 (Kristian, 1).
The book has focused on the progression of events in the country, and the likelihood of the country experiencing challenges based on the policies it’s making. Abu Dhabi and Dubai are most likely to be at loggerheads with each other, for the reason that Abu Dhabi seems more superior as opposed to Dubai (Kristian, 19). This is not however a matter of critical concern, owing to the fact that the UAE government is working on ways through which it can come with solutions to such issues. Besides, issues such as strict laws in the country which may affect the migrant population are also being discussed, nonetheless, Abu Dhabi and Dubai seem to have different laws concerning the migrants in the country.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi being the most populous emirates in the country, laws have been made based on the events and activities taking places in these emirates. The author provides evidence concerning this matter through analysing the events which have unfolded and exposed the challenges being faced by the federation, “Meanwhile, the post-2011 security crackdown revealed the acute sensitivity of officials in Abu Dhabi to social inequalities and economic disparities across the federation (Kristian, 2).” The author also asserts that the country can only remain peaceful if the smaller states are represented equally as compared to the populous states in the country. If this is not so, then the country is likely to experience challenges because smaller states feel unappreciated, hence making them to feel less significant to participate in the country’s affairs, “Opportunities for small states to make their voice heard have proliferated in today’s intensely globalized environment where concepts of power of influence are projected through multiple channels… (Kristian, 2)” The focus of the country remains on the territorial size and population in decision making, rather than in equal representation of all the citizens in the country, regardless of location in which they are.
On the other hand, the book also focused on the relations between the UAE and the US and its impact on the UAE as a country. For many years, the US has provided military support to UAE, owing to the fact that the Middle East has experienced a number of wars over the past few decades. The relationship between the two countries dates back to Iraqis invasion of Kuwait in 1990. Iraq had initially accused Kuwait and UAE of reducing oil prices, thus making Iraq to experience huge losses. In retaliation Iraq invaded Kuwait, but the UAE could not take chances hence opted to seek an alliance with the US, which aided the country with air support in course of the invasion. The relationship between the countries has been a success because the UAE has been able to remain stable despite being in a region which is faced by war, making the country to remain stable and rich. This relationship has resulted to the internationalization of the UAE foreign policy. A move which has seen the country receiving a huge number of tourists. Likewise, the country has also enhanced ties with Russia, India, China, Brazil and South Africa in order to grow its economy through tourism in the country. These ties have seen tourists from the five countries travelling to the UAE while at the same time investors from other countries investing in the UAE which is a major boost to the country’s economy, “Similarly, the Russian Business Council in Dubai estimated that up to 100,000 Russians were resident in the emirate in 2016. (Kristian, 153).”
The UAE has also focused on the relations between countries in the Middle East, through uniting them, and advocating for a common course. For instance the country partnered with Saudi Arabia and vowed to support it in order to reach its goals. Moreover, the main objective of the UAE is to maintain peace and security with the aid of the US in the Middle East and Northern African countries. This has therefore been the reason as to why the UAE has been the regional super power as if focuses on improving the relations between the Arab countries.
Critical Evaluation
According to my point of view, the book provided information which was backed up by evidence and a critical analysis of events. This consequently makes it great for the reason that the author did not make allegations, but provided the reasons as to why he made such allegations. In addition, the book does not only heap praise on the UAE, but it also focuses on its flaws, and warns of a possibility of challenges particularly in the coming years. Each and every point provided by the book is viewed in all sides whereby the author provides the positive and negative side of the information provided. For instance, the author UAE’s relationship with the US is significant for wellbeing of the country, however, the UAE is also allied to Russia, which is otherwise a political enemy of the US, an issue which may result in a collision between the two countries.
On the other hand, the book has also failed to provide a detailed explanation on the reason as to why the author felt the UAE may mediate between the US and Russia, thus bringing the two countries to terms with each other. The author has not provided any evidence regarding the matter, not has the information provided talked about the likelihood of the UAE holding talks with the US and UAE in order to solve the issue facing the two countries which have been embroiled in cold wars for a long period of time. Nonetheless, the author has provided a critical analysis on the measures that the UAE has put in place in ensuring it remains a powerhouse in the region.
Work Cited
Kristian Coates Ulrichsen. The United Arab Emirates. Power, Politics, and Policymaking. Routledge. (2017).
