Dubai is a remarkable success story. From its origins as a small fishing and pearling community, the emirate has gone from strength to strength, having established itself as the premier trading entrepot of the Arabian Gulf and, in more recent years, having boomed into a massive metropolis of some two or more million people, most of whom are expatriates engaged in an increasingly diversified economy that has become synonymous with startling and innovative architecture. Following a detailed historical background, Davidson's in-depth study demonstrates how Dubai's pioneering post-oil development strategies were implemented against a carefully managed backdrop of near complete political stability, despite the lack of democratisation and genuine civil society.He then addresses the problems that may surface as the need for sustained foreign direct investment encourages far-reaching socio-economic reforms, many of which may affect the ideological, religious, and cultural legitimacy of the traditional monarchy. He also analyses Dubai's awkward relationship with its federal partners in the United Arab Emirates, before highlighting some of the hidden costs of being the region's most successful free port - namely its attractiveness to international criminal fraternities, the global black money economy and terrorist networks.
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'Mr. Davidson nicely lays out this flashy emirate's astonishing ascent from tiny fishing and pearling village to global hub.' --New York Times
'Davidson traces Dubai's rise from sleepy Gulf port to player on the world scene. --Los Angeles Times
'Davidson has produced the first academic book specifically on Dubai, which is already becoming essential reading for anyone interested in the history, economy or socio-politics of this emirate.' --International Affairs
'Davidson traces Dubai's rise from sleepy Gulf port to player on the world scene. --Los Angeles Times
'Davidson has produced the first academic book specifically on Dubai, which is already becoming essential reading for anyone interested in the history, economy or socio-politics of this emirate.' --International Affairs
About the Author
Christopher M. Davidson is a fellow of the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies at Durham University. He is a former assistant professor of political science at Sheikh Zayed University in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, and the author of The United Arab Emirates: A Study in Survival.
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10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This highly polished and painstakingly researched book is the first serious study of Dubai - one of the world's fastest growing and most headline-grabbing cities. There are eight chapters, beginning with a substantial historical background before turning to the present day development of the economy and the survival of the ruling family. Although respectful and dispassionate throughout, no punches are pulled and the book builds up to a strong climax with a discussion of security and terror threats. In some ways, the author himself is of equal interest as the book, with englishman Dr.Davidson considered to be as influential as a sheikh in some parts of this oil rich region.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Peter Cooper
Format:Hardcover
There is a great deal to admire in this scholarly approach to Dubai. However, perhaps too much attention is paid to local politics and preservation of a culture now alien to many residents, and not enough to business which is the life-blood of Dubai and the reason for the population growth from 30,000 to 2 million over the past 50 years.
I think the threat of terrorism to this success is also overdone. The IRA tried hard in London for 25 years and did not prevent the city's success. Similarly the concentration on side-issues to modern Dubai like money laundering and prostitution are over-stated - again you would not see such things mentioned in a study of London, although the prevalence of both is obvious enough. But this book does take knowledge about modern Dubai an important step forward and perhaps it is too much to expect a fully comprehensive study.
I think the threat of terrorism to this success is also overdone. The IRA tried hard in London for 25 years and did not prevent the city's success. Similarly the concentration on side-issues to modern Dubai like money laundering and prostitution are over-stated - again you would not see such things mentioned in a study of London, although the prevalence of both is obvious enough. But this book does take knowledge about modern Dubai an important step forward and perhaps it is too much to expect a fully comprehensive study.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
A very comprehensive overview of the politics and economics of this new Mecca or Las Vegas of the Gulf. it is well worth a read and very interesting how little oil comes into this story compared to other GSS countries.
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