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Politics of Kuwait

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kuwait is an emirate in the Persian Gulf region with an autocratic political system.[1] The Emir of Kuwait, a hereditary monarch from the Al Sabah ruling family appoints the prime minister (who is always a royal) and other members of government, as well as members of judicial, police and financial institutions.

Kuwait is a wealthy rentier state.[2]

In contrast to other autocracies in the Gulf region, Kuwaiti politics has historically been more liberal, as citizens have more substantial civic and political rights.[2] Kuwaitis vote in elections, criticize officials, and regularly organize protests.[2][3] Kuwaiti civil society criticizes the corruption and opulence of the royal government.[2] There is nominally elected parliament that frequently clashes with the royal government.[1][2] The parliament has frequently been dissolved by the royal government, most recently in 2024.[2][4]

Constitution

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The Constitution of Kuwait was ratified in 1962 and has elements of a presidential and parliamentary system of government. The Emir is the head of state, whose powers are listed in the constitution.

Executive branch

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The Constitution of Kuwait was promulgated in 1962.

Government

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Main article: Cabinet of Kuwait

The prime minister is appointed by the unelected head of state (Emir of Kuwait). The prime minister chooses the cabinet of ministers (government).

Emir

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The Emir's powers are defined by the 1961 constitution. These powers include appointing the prime minister, who in turn chooses the cabinet (government). Upon the death of the Emir, the crown prince succeeds.

Power in Kuwait has traditionally been balanced between the Emir — particularly under Mubarak — and the merchant class. Mubarak effectively built the modern Kuwaiti state, establishing the tax system, trade levies, a customs administration, and the provision of social services.[1] Political institutions were built in Kuwait in large part due to exit vetoes exercised by merchants on Mubarak. The acquiescence of the merchants and the broader population to the rule of the Emir and the Sabah family was due to a division of monopoly rents: the Sabah family, through the state, to control the oil industry, and the merchants to dominate other industries.[1] The public at large was given social services from education to health care, funded by oil wealth. This arrangement has allowed the ruling family "to maintain power without making substantial political concessions."[1]

Judicial branch

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Main article: Legal system of Kuwait

The judiciary in Kuwait is not independent of the government, the Emir appoints all the judges and many judges are foreign nationals from Egypt. In each administrative district of Kuwait, there is a Summary Court (also called Courts of First Instance which are composed of one or more divisions, like a Traffic Court or an Administrative Court); then there is Court of Appeals; Cassation Court, and lastly - a Constitutional Court which interprets the constitution and deals with disputes related to the constitutionality of laws. Kuwait has a civil law legal system.

Legislative branch

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Legislative power is exercised by the Emir of Kuwait. It was formerly exercised by the National Assembly.[1][2]

Ministries

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Foreign relations

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Main article: Foreign relations of Kuwait

See also

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Further reading

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Gandhi, Jennifer (2008), "Institutions and Policies under Dictatorship", Political Institutions under Dictatorship, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 44–52, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511510090.005, ISBN 978-0-511-51009-0, retrieved 2020-11-16{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Yom, Sean (2024). "Will Kuwait's Next Parliament Be Its Last?". Journal of Democracy.
  3. ^ Al-Nakib, Farah (2022). "Kuwait's Changing Landscape: Palace Projects and the Decline of Rule by Consensus Palace Projects and the Decline of Rule by Consensus". Struggles for Political Change in the Arab World: Regimes, Oppositions, and External Actors after the Spring. doi:10.3998/mpub.12237894.10?seq=1.
  4. ^ Nereim, Vivian (2024-05-10). "Kuwaiti Emir Suspends Parliament, Citing Political Tumult". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331.
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