The Economist : Intrigue & Democracy in Kuwait
it's unfortunate that the Kuwaiti example is often cited as proof that democracy and arabs don't mix. the democratic 'experiment' as it is referred to in the gulf is blamed for hindering the ridiculously wealthy state's development by the majority of locals i speak to in saudi and the uae. it's an understandable reaction. Kuwait should in theory be one of the most exciting, dynamic places in the arab world (wealthy, educated, progressive in parts with a big developmental head-start on the neighbors). in reality it's a mega-laggard. oil wealth is a curse as much as a blessing.
