tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post6779004668820432760..comments2023-09-02T19:33:30.329+08:00Comments on The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccer: Is Democracy a Threat to the World Cup?The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08780576145703699280noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-79206548580871921162011-02-25T23:12:42.391+08:002011-02-25T23:12:42.391+08:00Qatar always seems like a weird paradox. It is tec...Qatar always seems like a weird paradox. It is technically an absolute democracy, but at the same time is (through Al-Jazeera) a big supporter of freedom of speech, usually regarded as a critical part of any functioning democracy (and perhaps a route to democracy)...tom.taylorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05186087110412551561noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-34767814167698243552011-02-24T16:04:51.736+08:002011-02-24T16:04:51.736+08:00You're spot on. I would make one caveat, Qatar...You're spot on. I would make one caveat, Qatar has a problem selling its hosting of the tournament to a part of the World i.e the West rather than rest of the world. You may be interested in the story I just posted on Cameron's visit to DohaThe Turbulent World of Middle East Soccerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08780576145703699280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-51278770760956924552011-02-24T16:00:24.612+08:002011-02-24T16:00:24.612+08:00I think Qatar's biggest problem is selling the...I think Qatar's biggest problem is selling the tournament to the rest of the world. Qatar should remain immune to the unrest going on in the rest of the region. Unlike its neighbor, Bahrain, Qatar has vast Oil and Natural Gas reserves, a heterogenous population, and low unemployment (estimated at .5%). <br /><br />The ruling family appears to be benevolent and have reinvested the nation's wealth in various sectors of the economy. Freedom of Expression is for the most part respected (although I haven't seen or heard anyone really putting that to the test by insulting the Sheikh Hamad). I think it is important to remember that Qatar vis-a-vis Al-Jazeera has done more than anyone to spread Democracy in the Arab World. Curiously enough, it has done very little to advance it in Qatar since the approval of the new constitution in 2003 by popular referendum. Elections are slated for 2013, but even when that comes to effect Qatar would be left with a system that mirrors the one in Jordan and Bahrain.Bassilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17022940213556876121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-56764720538406818522011-02-23T09:43:00.513+08:002011-02-23T09:43:00.513+08:00Indeed, its an interesting perspective and valid q...Indeed, its an interesting perspective and valid question that is all the more relevant now even though Qatar is likely to be one of few Arab states unaffected by the wave of protests.The Turbulent World of Middle East Soccerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08780576145703699280noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1593189288898730807.post-84247138009959564932011-02-23T08:12:17.373+08:002011-02-23T08:12:17.373+08:00Intetesting article, shines the light on the narro...Intetesting article, shines the light on the narrow and sometimes misguided criteria these decisions are reached by....Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16656696919049910500noreply@blogger.com