Papers originally presented at the thirteenth annual conference of the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research, held from March 31 to April 2, 2008.Includes bibliographical references (p. 353-365) and index.

Foreword -- Jamal S. Al-Suwaidi * INTRODUCTION: The Arabian Gulf: Between Conservatism and Change * KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: Dynamics and Determinants of Change in the GCC Countries -- H.E. Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al-Attiyah * Development in the UAE -- H.H. Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak * The Necessity of Reform and Stability in the Gulf Region -- H.E. Dr. Anwar Mohammed Gargash * CHANGE IN LOCAL GULF POLICIES * Political Reform in the Gulf Region -- Khalid Al-Dakhil * The Incremental Approach to Political Reform in the Gulf -- Michael C. Hudson * Citizenship in the Gulf Countries -- Ibtisam Al-Kitbi * REGIONAL CHANGE: IRAN AND IRAQ * The Limits and Significance of Factional Politics in the Islamic Republic of Iran --Mansour Farhang * Discord between Conservatives and Reformists in Iran -- Mahjoob Zweiri * Iraq: Present Conditions and Future Options -- Ghassan Attiyah * The Absence of Nonsectarian Parties in the Iraqi Political Arena -- Henner Fürtig * ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE GULF * The Gulf Economies and Globalization: The Effects of FTAs and the WTO -- Jean-François Seznec * Securities Markets and Economic Stability in the Gulf Region -- H.E. Sultan bin Nasser Al-Suwaidi * The Role of Gulf Financial Markets in Economic Development -- Sulaiman bin Abdullah Al-Sakran * CHALLENGES FACING GULF SOCIETY * Attempts to End the Dependency on Migrant Labor in the Gulf Region -- Khawla Mattar * Gulf Media: Between Freedom and Censorship -- Jamil Al-Diabi * The Impact of Globalization on Gulf Societies -- Sheikha Mai bint Mohammed Al-Khalifa * Modernizing Education: Points of Departure, Conditions and Gateways -- Ali Mohammed Fakhro * Modernization of Education and Development of Curricula: The Experience of the Islamic School for Education and Training -- Saeed bin Ahmed Al-Lootah * Contributors * Notes * Bibliography * Index.

Since the beginning of the twenty-first century, political, economic and security-related changes have exerted tremendous pressure on the countries of the Gulf states. The countries have attempted to respond to such challenges by retaining their values, policies and institutions while preferring an incremental approach to change. This book seeks to tackle the many controversial and contradictory issues that have emerged within Gulf countries between traditional and modernist approaches to political, economic, social, cultural and educational change. It also examines the substantial gap that remains between the reality and aspirations of the Gulf in relation to: consolidated political development; the adoption of popular participation and elements of democracy; improved developmental models, economic structures and education systems; reinforced social structures; enhanced cultural dynamism; and the empowerment of women in public life.