To its critics—and even many of its fans—“culture” and “Dubai” barely belong in the same sentence. The city is perhaps the world’s most extreme example of a business-first, built-from-the-sand boomtown. But Shoufani and her fellow Poeticians have become a prime exhibit in a debate that has broken out with renewed vigor in the Arab world and among urban theorists worldwide... — bostonglobe.com
11 Comments
Dubai is the future of cities if everyone is making $1million by the next presidential term... anyone what to argue that?
Thank you for this PR. Sorry, I don't buy into the PR (intended or not).
The Gulf countries are largely consumer-states. Even their cultural production is in reality a derivative consumption of other (western and arab) cultures.
This is not to deride the laissez-faire environment of work-and-play that Dubai has (followed to a lesser extent by Abu Dhabi and then Qatar), not to demean the living and working environment that offers a haven for many - but lets be real. Eclipse the old historic cities? It would be laughable to compare the percentage per population of Lebanese or Egyptian or Tunisian or Algerian writers, journalists, intellectuals, artists, scientists - the ongoing and historical contribution of these figures- inside and outside their countries - would put any gulf country- excluding Iraq,- to shame. What sort of eclipse are we talking about then, in what terms? Solely money and the offered space for the influx and circulation of money.
Yes, they, GCC, consume a whole lot more than the other arabs - and their piles of garbage are therefore far more mountainous....but, to find a true spirit of innovation- let alone of indigenous innovation, of true intellectual liberalism and of a true questioning spirit dissociated from the question of making and spending money and the subvention of one business enterprise/agency or the other is not relevant. I don't demean here the place of money in society - but, again, the nature of these societies must be first precised so as not to misrepresent them hyperbolically.
Furthermore, their population proper - ie the locals- who typically form a very small percentage of the country (in Dubai, for instance, around 20%) are largely (i say largely - there are very competent and diligent Emiratis and Qataris) unable to compete with their expat counterparts in terms of education, work production, and so on. Please also note that the GCC countries - as a principle- typically do not naturalize residents irrespective of their years of residency...in fact, they rarely naturalize/give citizenship. This is to say that the state proper - the indigenous population- has largely subcontracted most of the matters detrimental to its sustenance, to its success, to any possible innovation from within itself to expatriates, largely products of other cultures (pertaining to the other non-GCC arab countries, India,Philippines, Western and so on). This is a borrowed, temporarily annexed population that cannot be truly considered a true part of the GCC countries reflective of the latter. Which is to say, a little quake and these countries will be left desolate. As happened in Dubai cum then-ghost-town...which needed Abu Dhabi's oil to crawl out of the crisis pit. The real guarantor of the economy remains oil and gas (in qatar's case) and ultimately the US-led propping up of their puppet regimes, many of which are far from representing their own people democratically. Yes, the old arab world is going to go through a crisis - and much of this crisis is actually the
There is a whole lot more I can say, maybe over coffee not a keyboard. About the inherent instability of the GCC model and the likelihood of a turbulent and not so distant future specter of the change arriving, more likely sooner than later, to Saudi Arabia. Their (GCC countries') geopolitical vulnerability, their insidious games within the larger region in order to undermine the old arab cores. Qatar and Saudi Arabia - with the tacit support of all other GCC countries, Turkey, Israel, France, US- actively supported, financed and pummeled in Al Qaeda factions into Syria, Egypt, Libya, Tunis and now Lebanon. And now, we extol these same GCC countries for being progressive and advanced? How about the treatment of Shiites in the GCC and the GCC-wide subvention (UAE's, Qatar's...etc) of the invasion of Saudi Arabia in Bahrain to subjugate the Shiite majority who want a democracy.
Ultimately, I close with this: If the "new arab world" were truly independent in spirit and cared genuinely to belong to the wider arab region, indeed if they payed more than lipservice to haing a regionally relevant identity- their attention would be now on Gaza, now, still suffering under Israel's occupation and building their policies on the well being of the region in general. http://electronicintifada.net/content/still-occupied-campaign-draws-attention-gazas-plight/691
But no, instead, they're meeting up with Israeli politicians representing a non-democratic state, Israel. An alliance of non-democratic oppressive regimes.
Are we talking about buildings built by HOK, SOM, ZHA here or are we talking about actual all encompassing cultures? Are we talking about affording western plumbers-turned-into-executive project directors having now the luxury to live and buy yachts in dubai or are we talking about the general structure of the society?
If you only see the buildings and the yachts, then we cannot talk on the same level.
t.> .....But no, instead, they're meeting up with Israeli politicians representing a non-democratic state, Israel. An alliance of non-democratic oppressive regimes.
Really? Israel, a non-democratic state? Does your politics change the facts? Or just another rant?
For instance http://www.globalresearch.ca/israeli-democracy-a-convenient-illusion/5345617 Chavkin, quite simply its a racist apartheid state. You may be one of its apologists, but that changes nothing from the israeli state directed terrorism against palestinians and bedouins as well as the inequality rife within that state. Have some respect and dont call it a rant - you want to criticize, do so but without derision. Furthermore, israel is not topic-central so you can jump up to its defense (in the name of a racist ideology, stolen lands, expelled natives, murdered Iinnocents and so on) when its more worthwhile.
Really? Israel, a non-democratic state?
Eric, what's your definition of a democratic state? I think Israel has every right to exist, but it's far from a democratic state, unless having certain blood running through one's veins is the criteria for full citizenship rights. But back to topic. This city is in a desert, discuss ...
Dubai, the future of cities? Ah ha ha ha. oh that's too funny.
whats the status of the burj dubai? Last I heard, it was barely occupied and had electrical problems forcing large parts to be closed, but that was years ago.
As for Israel, considering that it is the world's largest black market for organ trade (often harvested from palestinians) should tell you all you need ot know about that corrupt shit state.
So by suggesting your ideology distorts facts I am an apologist, and I condone murder and terrorism against innocents....interesting. As Allah says let them be...the hypocrite will always show themselves.
What ideology? I dont have one. Israel has one, a racially nationalist one that seeks to distort facts by presenting itself as anything more than the racist undemocratic state it is.. And yes, a majority of people know well the hypocricy of Israel calling Israel a democracy. The disclosure is, was and will continue. And yes, for standing for it, you implicate yourself in its evil. You know, being Jewish does not mean that you have to defend some Jews who plunder and kill or an ideology that was more fundamentalist christian than jewish in the first place. You have the option to be see the facts for what they are.
The best thing about Dubai are the things that can never be written upIin these articles and that would be subject to censorrship in the country... :-) Its an interesting place (to a point) and its the bread and butter place for many people across the world (heck I worked in the country and for that im appreciative) but that title and general suggestion of the article is indeed ridiculous.
No
I hope not.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.