The Reality Of Bahrain's Development: Third World Status?

Bahrain is a small, Middle Eastern island country in the Persian Gulf, situated between Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It is ruled by the Khalifa family, who have been in power since 1783, and has a population of around 1.5 million people. Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy with a bi-cameral legislature, consisting of a Chamber of Deputies elected by the people and a Shura Council appointed by the King.

Bahrain is a high-income economy, recognised as such by the World Bank, and has a strong financial sector. However, it is also a developing country, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.888.

The term 'Third World' was originally coined during the Cold War to refer to countries that were neutral and allied with neither NATO nor the Communist Bloc. Today, it is often used to refer to developing countries with substandard living conditions and a need for development.

Given its high-income economy and HDI, Bahrain does not fit the modern definition of a Third World country. However, the term has evolved considerably since its inception and is now considered derogatory and obsolete by many.

Bahrain's economy

Bahrain's banking and financial services sector has benefited from the regional boom driven by demand for oil. Petroleum production and processing is Bahrain's most exported product, accounting for 60% of export receipts, 70% of government revenues, and 11% of GDP. Bahrain's economy has also benefited from the Lebanese Civil War in the 1970s and 1980s, when it replaced Beirut as the Middle East's financial hub.

Bahrain's other exported products include aluminium, finance, and construction materials. Bahrain's economy has been described as a tax haven, and it has a low rate of taxation. Bahrain's currency is the Bahraini Dinar (BHD), and 1 dinar is divided into 1000 fils.

Bahrain's unemployment rate was at 4% in 2008, with women overrepresented at 85% of the total. Bahrain was the first Arab country to institute unemployment benefits in 2007.

Bahrain's political system

Bahrain is a constitutional monarchy ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family, with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa at its head. The country is divided between a Shia majority and a Sunni minority, with the latter holding most of the political and military power. The Shia majority has long complained of being marginalised, alleging that they are denied equal access to housing, healthcare, and government jobs.

The King enjoys wide-ranging executive powers, including the ability to appoint the Prime Minister and his ministers, command the army, and chair the Higher Judicial Council. The head of government is the Prime Minister, Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who also serves as Deputy Commander of the Bahrain Defence Force.

Bahrain's parliament is a bicameral legislature, consisting of the Council of Representatives and the Shura Council. The former is elected by universal suffrage, while the latter is appointed directly by the King. The Shura Council can exercise a de facto veto over the Council of Representatives, as draft acts must be approved by both councils to pass into law.

The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1971, and the current ruler became Emir in 1999. In 2002, Bahrain was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy, and the country's name was changed from the State of Bahrain to the Kingdom of Bahrain. The King also instituted elections for parliament, gave women the right to vote, and released all political prisoners.

Bahrain's history

Bahrain, officially the Kingdom of Bahrain, is a small island country in West Asia. It is situated on the Arabian Gulf and comprises a small archipelago of 50 natural islands and an additional 33 artificial islands, centred on Bahrain Island, which makes up around 83% of the country's landmass. The name Bahrain means 'the two seas' in Arabic.

Bahrain is the site of the ancient Dilmun civilisation, famed since antiquity for its pearl fisheries. It was one of the earliest areas to be influenced by Islam, during the lifetime of Muhammad in 628 AD. Following a period of Arab rule, Bahrain was ruled by the Portuguese Empire from 1521 until 1602, when they were expelled by Shah Abbas the Great of Safavid Iran. In 1783, the Bani Utbah and allied tribes captured Bahrain from Nasr Al-Madhkur, and it has since been ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family.

In the late 1800s, following successive treaties with the British, Bahrain became a protectorate of the United Kingdom. In 1971, it declared independence. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a semi-constitutional monarchy in 2002, and Article 2 of the newly adopted constitution made Sharia a principal source for legislation.

Bahrain was one of the first Middle East nations to discover oil in the area and build a refinery. However, oil production has never reached the same heights as that of Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain's economy has had to diversify into other areas such as banking, finance, and tourism. Bahrain's culture shares many similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Gulf region, with Islamic rules governing the country's cultural, economic, and political life.

In 2011, Bahrain experienced protests inspired by the regional Arab Spring. Bahrain's ruling Sunni Muslim Al Khalifa royal family has been criticised for violating the human rights of groups, including dissidents, political opposition figures, and its majority Shia Muslim population.

Bahrain's culture

The culture of Bahrain is part of the historical region of Eastern Arabia, and as such, it shares similarities with its Arab neighbours in the Arabian Gulf region. Bahrain is known for its cosmopolitanism and ethnic diversity, with at least 8-9 different ethnic groups of Bahraini citizens. The state religion is Islam, but the country is tolerant of other religions, with Catholic and Orthodox churches, Hindu temples, and a Jewish synagogue present on the island. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used as a lingua franca, and many Bahrainis also have a working knowledge of Hindi and Urdu.

Daily Life and Social Customs

Bahrain's official holidays are generally the same as those observed in most Muslim countries, including Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the Prophet Muhammad's birthday. Western-style clothing is common, but some men still wear the traditional thawb (full-length tunic) and keffiyeh (white head cloth). Dress rules for women are more relaxed than in other parts of the region, although women in rural areas and conservative communities still wear the veil (hijab) and a traditional long cloak (ʿabāyah). Coffee is an important part of social life, often flavoured with cardamom and saffron, and is served as a sign of hospitality. Bahraini cuisine typically features fish, shrimp, meat, rice, and dates, with machbous (a dish of fish or meat served with rice) being a popular traditional meal.

Music and the Arts

Music is an important part of Bahraini life, with a rich folk music culture. The country has held an annual music festival since 1991. Bahrain also has a strong literary tradition, with most work produced in the classical Arabic style. There is also a small but flourishing avant-garde art community.

Sports and Recreation

Football (soccer) is the most popular modern sport in Bahrain, while traditional pastimes such as horse riding, falconry, and gazelle and hare hunting are still practised by wealthier Bahrainis.

Bahrain's climate

Bahrain is an island country in the Persian Gulf, with a subtropical climate. This means that it is much drier and warmer than most parts of the US or Central Europe. The country experiences two seasons: an extremely hot summer and a relatively mild winter. During the summer months, from April to October, afternoon temperatures average 40 °C (104 °F) and can reach 46 °C (114.8 °F) during May, June and July. The hot season typically lasts for 4.5 months, from mid-May to the end of September, with an average daily high temperature above 34.4 °C (94 °F). The hottest month of the year is July, with an average high of 38.3 °C (101 °F) and a low of 31.6 °C (89 °F).

The winter months in Bahrain, from November to March, are relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 15 °C (41 °F) to 21 °C (70 °F). The cool season lasts for around three months, from December to early March, with an average daily high below 23.3 °C (74 °F). The coldest month is January, with an average low of 15 °C (59 °F) and a high of 19.4 °C (68 °F).

Bahrain receives little precipitation, with an average annual rainfall of 72 millimetres (2.8 inches), usually confined to the winter months. The month with the most rain is January, with an average rainfall of 10.2 millimetres (0.4 inches). The month with the least rain is July, which sees no rainfall on average.

Bahrain is generally flat and arid, with about 92% of the country consisting of desert. The highest point in the country is the Jabal ad Dukhan, or the Mountain of Smoke, which rises to 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level. The country is prone to periodic droughts and dust storms, with winds from the northwest, known as the shamal, bringing damp air over the islands during the winter. The seas around Bahrain are very shallow, and the summer heat causes very high humidity, especially at night.

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