Civil Society in Kuwait: Challenges and Solutions

Abstract

Civil society organisations are an integral part of today's societies throughout the world. They are the main partners of the state, along with the private sector, in the process of developing civil society. Here, we analyse various aspects of the social development of Kuwaiti society, the development strategies of the state, the challenges faced, and the role of civil society organisations by gathering and assessing information using structured questionnaires and statistical methods. The results reveal that civil associations are indispensable in the sustainable development of the state, especially considering the current economic and social challenges experienced in human societies. The study identifies internal and external challenges associated with implementing market-controlling mechanisms and directives for multifarious development under the private sector without inhibiting its growth. The article concludes by identifying the dominant obstacles and challenges development programs of Kuwait face and defines a set of mechanisms capable of solving those challenges effectively.

Youth development in Kuwait: Dimensions of civic participation and community engagement towards nation building

“…However, some of the common misgivings of the youth were that they were not taken seriously, that favoritism and nepotism were practiced in terms of allocation of resources in youth projects, and that dialogue was lacking between youth and key government stakeholders (Armoush & Nahmeh, 2017). Al Zuabi (2012, p. 351) underscores lack of development vision, awareness, experience, skills, and negative public attitude as key reasons for the low performance of these civil society organizations and NGOs.…”

Political Opportunity Structures in Dictatorships? Explaining ENGO Existence in Autocratic Regimes

“…Sater (2007), for instance, illustrated the role of civil society groups more generally in Morocco: While the relationship between the ruling dynasty and NGOs has not always been without problems, civil society groups, including ENGOs, are present and active in Morocco until today. Similarly, Al-Zuabi (2012) focuses on the development of social movements in Kuwait. While Kuwait was one of the “first Arab Gulf societies to have used civil society organizations” (Al-Zuabi, 2012, p. 347), the “NGO sector in Kuwait is regularly supervised” by the government and may, in fact, be somewhat restricted “from playing a great role in society” (p.…”

“…Similarly, Al-Zuabi (2012) focuses on the development of social movements in Kuwait. While Kuwait was one of the “first Arab Gulf societies to have used civil society organizations” (Al-Zuabi, 2012, p. 347), the “NGO sector in Kuwait is regularly supervised” by the government and may, in fact, be somewhat restricted “from playing a great role in society” (p. 350f.).…”

Humanitarian Sovereignty, Exceptional Muslims, and the Transnational Making of Kuwaiti Citizens

“…5For a general overview of Kuwait’s other philanthropic sectors and civil society organizations, see Abdulhadi (1990); Khallaf (2000); Al-Zuabi (2012).…”