Middle East Review of International Affairs

Volume 8, Number 3, September 2004

 

Assessing the Political Stability of Oman
by Mark N. Katz ^*

 

Abstract

Oman is facing important economic and political challenges. The economic challenge it faces is that its population is rising while its oil reserves are declining. The political challenges it faces are the extreme concentration of authority in the hands of one man (Sultan Qaboos), the sultan’s unwillingness to allow meaningful political participation or dialogue, political legitimacy issues concerning both Sultan Qaboos and the succession process he has set up, and sporadic but persistent signs of opposition. This article examines these problems and assesses their implications for the political stability of Oman.

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Note *: Mark N. Katz is a professor of government and politics at George Mason University (Fairfax, Virginia, USA).Back