I had a research paper of 5 pages and i want you biled more 5 pg
“The Pearl of Gulf” Analyzing the Changes in the Kingdom of Bahrain’s cultural policy
For decades, Bahrain has been considered a cultural hotspot. It has an ancient culture and has endured centuries of tradition. It has gone through rapid modernization. Despite, the recent change in economic and political structure, Bahrain has managed to preserve its Arabic culture. It is a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic society. This research proposal seeks to examine and analyze changes in Bahrain cultural policy. It will first trace the cultural-historical development of the Kingdom of Bahrain. It also examines a number of reasons that has made it a favorite destination for expatriates and foreign workers. Recent changes in the country’s political landscape are threatening to derail the advances in Bahrain’s cosmopolitan lifestyle. This paper further seeks to examine and analyze recent changes in the country’s cultural policy and how these policies are affecting both economic and social life.
Before an analysis of the cultural policy of the Kingdom of Bahrain can be made, it is critical that a historical analysis of the state be made. Bahrain is argued to have a long history that was influenced by Assyrians, Babylonians, Greeks, Greeks, Persians, Europeans, South Asians and Arabs. Historians argue that it is not until the late fifteenth century that Europeans arrived in the Kingdom of Bahrain (“The Bahrain Cultural” 10. This history has helped in shaping the cultural heritage that the state enjoys today. It also has greatly influenced, the government’s cultural policy.
Historically, the social and cultural revolution of Bahrain came at the time when oil was discovered. The state of Bahrain stated exporting oil in 1932 (“The Bahrain Cultural” 12). The discovery and production of oil contributed to increased economic growth which also brought about changes in social and cultural life. Besides bolstered economy, the discovery of oil also helped the ruling elite in consolidating its power. During this period Sheik Isa, had more autonomy on the economy which aided in freeing him from dependence on merchants. Oil brought with it rapid changes to Bahrain’s society. The population of Bahrain grew exponentially. There was also rapid urbanization which changed the landscape of Bahrain and the state dealt with the increased population by filling in swamp land. The growing economy led to high demands for skilled personnel which the state later got in foreign workers. This later contributed to the growth of a huge expat community. This led to social unrest in the 1930s and 1950s.
The development of Bahrain’s cultural policy is closely tied to the multiple identities. These identities are shaped by values and beliefs. Scholars argue that Bahrain values and beliefs are largely influenced by religious beliefs, the central role of family and tribal culture. It is argued that most Bahrainis value hospitality and generosity and are willing to open their homes to guests (“The Bahrain Cultural” 16). In Bahrain’s culture, turning away a visitor and not providing a guest with food and is considered a break from good etiquette.
In understanding the culture of Bahrain, one has to explore the ethnic relations. By the beginning of the 20th century, Bahrain had a diverse, identifiable population of Sunnies and Sh’a, Persians and Arabs, and urban and rural communities. Sectarian, ethnic, and regional distinctions remain in Bahrain and continued to be factors in Bahraini identity. Oil wealth and the subsequent economic and political development have deepened disparities between social groups and enhanced segmented identities based on class, ethnicity and religion.
Since Islam constitutes a significant part of Bahrainis identity it is also a point of contention between the Shi’a Muslims and the Sunnis. Sectarian and ethnic distinctions create strong divisions in Bahraini society. It is pointed out these divisions have increasingly widened due to Shi’as feeling socially marginalized and economically disadvantaged by Bahrain’s ruling elite. The dominance of the Sunni’s in government also meant that they would dominate the cultural landscape. The Shi’as have barely embraced these cultural changes and dominance of the Sunnis. One scholar argues that Bahrain’s impressive cultural infrastructure feel like it was instituted to attract foreign visitors than to grapple with serious cultural issues, such as the sectarian divide (Washington Post n.p). Besides ethnic divisions, scholars argue that Bahrain’s economy has greatly influenced its culture and society. The disappearing pearling industry gave way to oil production; this made the economy critical to social change.
Recent developments in the politics of the Arab world have forced the Bahrain government to make political and cultural changes to accommodate dissent. The Pearl of the Gulf is argued to have lost its luster. Reporters and scholars have observed that the political crisis in Bahrain caused by Arab Spring is influenced the cultural policy of the Gulf state. There is increased government repression and opposition to protests. This repression has affected even the small number of Shiites who are aspiring artists (Washington Post n.d.). Reports suggest that loyalty to the government is considered a precondition for participating in ministry-funded projects.
A cultural policy that looks outward and is based on large, international trophy-events may no longer be tenable.
One of the interesting aspects of Bahrain’s cultural policy is the level of involvement of the ruling family in defining and creating cultural events. Scholars argue that the cultural branding of Bahrain gives the Khalifa ruling family a lot of influence that go beyond their borders. An example of this influence is the 2009 Kennedy Center’s Arabesque festival which was hosted by Sheika Mai. There is widespread dissent on the role and power of the Khalifa family in defining Bahrain politics and culture. Shi’a groups believe that Bahrain’s cultural politics is under the grip of the Khalifafamily which came to Bahrain in the late eighteenth century and took power through an alliance with British colonial interests, as a foreign overlay on an indigenous Shiite people (Washington n.d.).
A way to understand Bahrain’s cultural policy is to analyze the country’s white papers. The Bahrain cultural minister seeks culture is the first line of defense (“Culture” n.p.). He further notes that culture is the mirror that reflects Bahrain’s openness and ability to tolerate differences with the sharing of wealth, culture and civilization. This reflection of culture is at odds with recent political developments in Bahrain has seen the ruling family use cultural events to hide its repression to Shiite opposition to how the Khalifa family has been ruling the Gulf Kingdom.
The Kingdom of Bahrain with its huge population of foreign workers, disparate religious groups and a cultural tradition that dates back centuries is a good case in understanding and exploring different world cultures. In Bahrain, we see an advanced oil economy that uses its attractive cultural heritage to preserve its image as a diverse and welcoming Gulf nation. The recent political unrest in the region brought by the Arab spring is threatening the political positions of the ruling elite and at the same time threatening the cultural heritage. The desire to maintain political power has also affected the cultural policies of the Arab states where the attraction of foreign tourists and investors has not been matched with the same effort to preserve and allow artistic freedom. A more open political landscape will also open the doors to more cultural exchanges. The end of political unrest will usher in a new promising cultural era.
