Bahraini Democracy

A Pluralist Experiment in the Arabian Gulf

The book is a comprehensive examination of the social, political and material developments, and those concerning rights and freedoms, that took place in the Kingdom of Bahrain over the course of 2008 and 2009. It discusses the prognostics of such developments in years to come – particularly at the 2010 municipal and parliamentary elections when many anticipate substantial changes in the country's political and social scene.

  Situating the development of Bahraini pluralism in a regional and international context where illustrative, various indicators of freedoms, human development and investment in human resources are evaluated: International reports cited in this study confirm improvements in education, health services and in the living standards of citizens and foreigners alike in Bahrain, where the abolition of the kafeel (sponsorship) system for employing expatriates set a vital standard for the region.

  The expansion of Bahrain’s civil society – in which 489 NGOs were active at the end of 2009 – is also explored as well as their development partnership with the state. Concerted efforts to benefit groups such as women and children are observed as well as measures to improve the country’s social and political standards.

A rising level of interaction between civil and state organisations generated substantial improvements in women's status at the level of day-to-day life as well as in terms of their civil, political and economic empowerment. The appointment of a Jewish woman as ambassador to the US and the launch of a national Women’s Day contribute to a raft of reassuring evidence of the state's ongoing efforts to promote rights, justice and equality for all of Bahrain’s citizens.

C O N T E N T S

Introduction

Democratic Development

I. Cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of authority

II. Issues debated in the National Assembly

III. Parliamentary diplomacy

IV. Conclusions, future strategies

Freedom of Speech and the Media

I. Freedom of opinion and speech

II. Modernisation of the media

III. Media Cooperation

IV. Conclusions

Human Development

I. National infrastructure

II. Public services

III. Social care

Civil Society

I. Relationship between state and civil society

II. Civil society activities

III. Conclusions

Women

I. Organisations concerned with Bahraini women

II. Political empowerment of women

III. Economic empowerment of women

IV. Social empowerment of women

V. Conclusions

Conclusion

Photos' Appendix

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Publishing Year: 2010

No. of Pages: 350

Hard copy price: £ 35

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