Policy-Making in a Transformative State
The Case of Qatar

Editors: M. Evren Tok, Lolwah R. M. Alkhater, Leslie A. Pal



This book explores, in a series of detailed case studies, how public policy is actually made in Qatar. While Qatar is a Gulf monarchy, its governance is complex. Other analysts have tried to come to grips with this complexity using qualified descriptions of the system such as 'late rentier,' 'pluralized autocracy,' 'tribal democracy,' or 'soft authoritarian.' The authors of the volume use the lens of a transformative state. Qatar is deliberately engaged in a rapid process of radical economic and societal transformation. That process has its contradictions and tensions, particularly with regards to achieving a balance between Islam, social traditions, and modernity.  This book explores how it also has a specific policy dynamic of generating ideas and institutions, developing policy and program designs, implementation and coordination.

Table of contents

Front Matter
Pages i-xvii

Policy-Making in a Transformative State: The Case of Qatar
Pages 1-35

Qatar’s Constitutional and Legal System
Pages 37-63

Policy-Making in Qatar: The Macro-Policy Framework
Pages 65-96

Qatar’s Borrowed K-12 Education Reform in Context
Pages 97-130

Transforming Qatar’s PSE: Achievements and Concessions
Pages 131-153

Fragmentation and Continuity in Qatar’s Urbanism: Towards a Hub Vision
Pages 155-177

Health Policy-Making in a Transformative State
Pages 179-212

The Qatari Family at the Intersection of Policies
Pages 213-239

Public Policy and Identity
Pages 241-269

Demographic Policies and Human Capital Challenges
Pages 271-294

Integrated Water, Energy, and Food Governance: A Qatari Perspective
Pages 295-307

Macroeconomic Stabilization Policies and Sustainable Growth in Qatar
Pages 309-346

Qatar’s Global-Local Nexus: From Soft to Nested Power?
Pages 347-365

Conclusions
Pages 367-393

Back Matter
Pages 395-405