Intellectual Trends in the Arab Gulf, 1938-1971

The Center for Arab Unity Studies issues a book titled “Intellectual currents in the Persian Gulf (1938 – 1971)” by Dr. Moufid Al-Zaidi.

The book delves into the intellectual currents dominating the Persian Gulf from the start of the reform era in the 1930s to the stage of independence in the 1970s. The six selected countries of the study, namely Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Oman, all share similar features with regards to the economic, social, political and cultural characteristics. These similarities later manifested into what is commonly called the age of oil, an era which brought to light changes in the economies of the Gulf, and social transformations that accompanied the increase of their economic and strategic position for the West in particular.

History has shown that the demands of social and political classes in the Gulf region have all along been democratic, for they understood democracy was the only way out of the societal crisis, and the common denominator for all intellectual currents despite their differences and their various affiliations. The common goal revolves around the idea that social institutions can be built on stable foundations and parliamentary life can be embodied on real constitutional premises.