Examining the Success and Prospects of Dubai's Development Model
Subsequent Statement of Responsibility
Vandewalle, Diederick J.
.PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION, ETC
Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.
Dartmouth College
Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.
2020
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Specific Material Designation and Extent of Item
117
DISSERTATION (THESIS) NOTE
Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree
M.A.L.S.
Body granting the degree
Dartmouth College
Text preceding or following the note
2020
SUMMARY OR ABSTRACT
Text of Note
Dubai has been a peculiar case of development and post-oil development as the small emirate built a unique brand name for itself as it transitioned away from direct oil dependency in a matter of decades. As a city more famous than its country, the United Arab Emirates is a federation, and Dubai has historically acted as an unwilling participant constantly seeking more autonomy and independence whereas Abu Dhabi is the real economic juggernaut controlling the federal government. Many of Dubai's developmental idiosyncrasies took roots specifically because the junior partner was evading Abu Dhabi's directives and coupled with the visionary leadership of the Al Maktoum family, the major gambles that the city took, for the most part, paid off handsomely. The Dubai development model has been lauded by academics and experts around the globe as a successful framework for how a Gulf monarchy can transition away from its oil dependency and prepare for the post-oil future. Nonetheless, events triggered by the 2008/09 economic crisis exposed the vulnerabilities of Dubai's development model, and had it not been for Abu Dhabi's direct involvement, the City of Gold would have suffered such a blow that it may not have survived the crisis. The 2008/09 bailout and the change of leadership in Abu Dhabi tilted the power dynamic within the federation which reduced Dubai's ability to act autonomously and made scholars wonder whether the post-oil transition was indeed successful. This thesis delineates the idiosyncrasies of Dubai's development model through a historical overview of how its major economic pillars came into place, examines the power dynamic between Dubai and Abu Dhabi throughout most of the twentieth century until the present day, and presents the three most pressing risk factors threatening Dubai's survival and success going forward with potential ways how to mitigate them.