Gulf Politics

This course offers taught postgraduate students an introduction to the history, politics, and development of the Gulf states of the Middle East. A distinct sub-system of the region, the resourcerich states of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Iraq and Iran command enduring relevance within the international system. The course deploys political economy as a theoretical framework to (1) reveal trajectories of state formation influenced by the discovery of oil and other hydrocarbons and (2) analyse how resource abundance continues to influence state behaviour at the regional and international levels. Students will complete the course having gained an insight into how these conservative states have responded to the challenges of political reform, economic diversification, climate change, instability and insecurity to consolidate influence in the international system. Credit Level: 11 Year taken: Postgraduate