Formerly CIP. Uk. Includes bibliographical references.

Introduction
The Concepts of Democracy, Democratic Transition and Political Grey Zone
A Snapshot of Political Reforms in the Arab World
Existing Approaches to the Study of Political Reforms in Qatar
1 Early Reform(er)s in Qatar
The Creation of Qatar
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al Thani (1960-1972)
Khalifah bin Hamad Al Thani (1972-1995)
2 Causes of the Political Reforms in Qatar
Domestic Causes of the Political Reforms in Qatar
Regional Causes of the Political Reforms in Qatar
International Factors
3 Political Reforms During the Years of Sheikh Hamad
The First Decade of Sheikh Hamad's Rule and the Hopes for Democracy
Political Reforms and State Branding
The Reform Process from Flying to Flagging
Arab Spring and its Political Implications for Qatari Politics
4 The Years of Sheikh Tamim: Grey Zone Politics
The Years of Regional Crises and Domestic Challenges
The Rising Political Syndrome in the Grey Zone
5 Why the Political Reform Process in Qatar is Stuck in the Political Grey Zone
Political Reforms Without Political Paradigm Change
Social Structure Based on Tribalism as a Resistance to Change
Rentierism within Economic Development
Lack of Public Demand and Participation
Changes to International and Regional Paradigms
Conclusion
Notes
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Selected Bibliography
Appendix: Constitutions of Qatar
PART ONE: The State and the Bases of the Rule
PART TWO: The Guiding Principles of the Society
PART THREE: Public Rights and Duties
PART FOUR: Organization of Powers
PART FIVE: Final Provisions.

In the past decade, Qatar has emerged as one of the world's most proactive mediators in the international arena. It has also experienced a number of domestic changes to its economic infrastructure, the welfare system and political system, along with material improvement in its citizens' standard of living. Nonetheless, despite such radical and rapid advances, political reform in Qatar has proved to be relatively tentative. This book examines political reforms in Qatar from an analytical, normative and ideological perspective. It applies the main concepts and theories found in the literature on democratic transition. Five elements are discussed as the reason of why the political reform process in Qatar has stagnated in the political "Grey Zone": (1) Absolute power of the ruler over the political institutions, (2) Tribal social structure in Qatar, (3) Rentier style social contract, (4) Lack of public demand for reforms and politically apathetic society, and (5) New regional and international atmosphere, emerging after Arab Spring.