Politics of Kuwait

Last updated

Kuwait is an emirate with an autocratic political system. [1] The Emir of Kuwait, a hereditary monarch from the Al Sabah ruling family appoints the prime minister (who is always a royal) and other members of government, as well as members of judicial, police and financial institutions.

Contents

In contrast to other autocracies in the Gulf region, Kuwaiti politics is more liberal, as citizens have more substantial civic and political rights. [2] Kuwaitis vote in elections, criticize officials, and regularly organize protests. [2] Kuwaiti civil society criticizes the corruption and opulence of the royal government. [2] There is nominally elected parliament that frequently clashes with the royal government and has subsequently frequently been dissolved. [1] [2]

Kuwait is a wealthy rentier state. [2]

Constitution

The Constitution of Kuwait was ratified in 1962 and has elements of a presidential and parliamentary system of government. The Emir is the head of state, whose powers are listed in the constitution.

Executive branch

The Constitution of Kuwait was promulgated in 1962.

Government

The prime minister is appointed by the unelected head of state (Emir of Kuwait). The prime minister chooses the cabinet of ministers (government).

Emir

The Emir's powers are defined by the 1961 constitution. These powers include appointing the prime minister, who in turn chooses the cabinet (government). Upon the death of the Emir, the crown prince succeeds.

Power in Kuwait has traditionally been balanced between the Emir — particularly under Mubarak — and the merchant class. Mubarak effectively built the modern Kuwaiti state, establishing the tax system, trade levies, a customs administration, and the provision of social services. [1] Political institutions were built in Kuwait in large part due to exit vetoes exercised by merchants on Mubarak. The acquiescence of the merchants and the broader population to the rule of the Emir and the Sabah family was due to a division of monopoly rents: the Sabah family, through the state, to control the oil industry, and the merchants to dominate other industries. [1] The public at large was given social services from education to health care, funded by oil wealth. This arrangement has allowed the ruling family "to maintain power without making substantial political concessions." [1]

Judicial branch

The judiciary in Kuwait is not independent of the government, the Emir appoints all the judges and many judges are foreign nationals from Egypt. In each administrative district of Kuwait, there is a Summary Court (also called Courts of First Instance which are composed of one or more divisions, like a Traffic Court or an Administrative Court); then there is Court of Appeals; Cassation Court, and lastly - a Constitutional Court which interprets the constitution and deals with disputes related to the constitutionality of laws. Kuwait has a civil law legal system.

Legislative branch

The National Assembly is theoretically the main legislative branch in Kuwait. [1] The National Assembly theoretically has the power to remove government ministers from their post. The National Assembly can have up to 50 MPs. Fifty deputies are theoretically elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms. Members of the cabinet also sit in the parliament as deputies.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitutional monarchy</span> Form of government

Constitutional monarchy, also known as limited monarchy, parliamentary monarchy or democratic monarchy, is a form of monarchy in which the monarch exercises their authority in accordance with a constitution and is not alone in making decisions. Constitutional monarchies differ from absolute monarchies in that they are bound to exercise powers and authorities within limits prescribed by an established legal framework.

A head of state is the public persona of a sovereign state. The specific naming of the head of state depends on the country's form of government and separation of powers; the head of state may be a ceremonial figurehead or concurrently the head of government and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Kuwait</span> Political system in Kuwait

Kuwait is an emirate with a political system consisting of an appointed judiciary, appointed government, and nominally elected parliament.

Separation of powers is the division of a state's government into branches, each with separate, independent powers and responsibilities, so that the powers of one branch are not in conflict with others. The typical division into three branches of government, sometimes called the trias politica model, includes a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary. It can be contrasted with the fusion of powers in monarchies, but also parliamentary and semi-presidential systems where there can be overlap in membership and functions between different branches, especially the executive and legislative.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Italy</span> Legislative, executive and judiciary authority of Italy

The government of Italy is in the form of a democratic republic, and was established by a constitution in 1948. It consists of legislative, executive, and judicial subdivisions, as well as a Head of State, or President.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Politics of Bhutan</span> Political system of Bhutan

The Government of Bhutan has been a constitutional monarchy since 18 July 2008. The King of Bhutan is the head of state. The executive power is exercised by the Lhengye Zhungtshog, or council of ministers, headed by the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in the bicameral Parliament, both the upper house, National Council, and the lower house, National Assembly. A royal edict issued on April 22, 2007 lifted the previous ban on political parties in anticipation of the National Assembly elections in the following year. In 2008, Bhutan adopted its first modern Constitution, codifying the institutions of government and the legal framework for a democratic multi-party system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">House of Sabah</span> The ruling dynasty of Kuwait

The House of Sabah is the ruling family of Kuwait.

In a parliamentary or semi-presidential system of government, a reserve power, also known as discretionary power, is a power that may be exercised by the head of state without the approval of another branch or part of the government. Unlike in a presidential system of government, the head of state is generally constrained by the cabinet or the legislature in a parliamentary system, and most reserve powers are usable only in certain exceptional circumstances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">President of Egypt</span> Head of state and government of Egypt

The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the executive head of state of Egypt and the de facto appointee of the official head of government under the Egyptian Constitution of 2014. Under the various iterations of the Constitution of Egypt following the Egyptian Revolution of 1952, the president is also the supreme commander of the Armed Forces, and head of the executive branch of the Egyptian government. The current president is Field Marshal Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who has been in office since 8 June 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Assembly (Kuwait)</span> Unicameral legislature of Kuwait

The National Assembly is the unicameral legislature of Kuwait. The National Assembly meets in Kuwait City. Because political parties are illegal in Kuwait, candidates run as independents. The National Assembly is made up of 50 elected members, then this 50 will be chosen from by the Emir and 16 direct appointed government ministers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Minister of Turkey</span> Head of government of the Turkish government (1920–2018)

The prime minister of Turkey, officially the prime minister of the Republic of Turkey, was the head of government of the Republic of Turkey from 1920 to 2018, who led a political coalition in the Turkish Parliament and presided over the cabinet. Throughout the political history of Turkey, functions and powers of the post have changed occasionally. Prior to its dissolution as a result of the 2017 Constitutional Referendum, the holder of the premiership was generally the dominant figure in Turkish politics, outweighing the president.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Bahrain</span>

Bahrain has had two constitutions in its modern history. The first one was promulgated in 1973, and the second one in 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasser Al-Mohammed Al-Sabah</span> 6th Prime Minister of the State of Kuwait

Nasser Al-Mohammed Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is a Kuwaiti politician who served as Prime Minister of Kuwait from 7 February 2006 until resigning on 28 November 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Malaysia</span> Federal government of Malaysia

The Government of Malaysia, officially the Federal Government of Malaysia, is based in the Federal Territory of Putrajaya, with the exception of the legislative branch, which is located in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia is a federation comprising the 11 States of Malaya, the Borneo States of Sabah and Sarawak, and 3 Federal Territories operating within a constitutional monarchy under the Westminster system and is categorised as a representative democracy. The federal government of Malaysia adheres to and is created by the Federal Constitution of Malaysia, the supreme law of the land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Constitution of Kuwait</span> Fundamental law of Kuwait

The Constitution of Kuwait was created by the Constitutional Assembly in 1961–1962 and signed into law on 11 November 1962 by the Emir, the Commander of the Military of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah III Al-Salim Al-Sabah.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah</span> 7th Prime Minister of Kuwait

Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah is a Kuwaiti royal and politician who served as the prime minister of Kuwait from 2011 to 2019. He previously served as minister of defense as well as deputy prime minister. In April 2021 a Kuwaiti court ordered his detention on corruption charges.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government of Thailand</span> Executive authority of Thailand

The Government of Thailand, or formally the Royal Thai Government, is the unitary government of the Kingdom of Thailand. The country emerged as a modern nation state after the foundation of the Chakri Dynasty and the city of Bangkok in 1782. The Revolution of 1932 brought an end to absolute monarchy and replaced it with a constitutional monarchy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crown Prince of Kuwait</span> Heir apparent to the Emir of Kuwait

The Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait is the heir apparent to the Emir of Kuwait. Under Article 4 of the Constitution of Kuwait, this position can only be held by the descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, and must be designated within a year of the Emir's accession. This designation is given effect by a combination of the Emir's nomination, and its approval by the National Assembly, as signified by a majority vote of its members in a special sitting. If this does not happen, the Constitution requires the Emir to nominate three descendants of Sheikh Mubarak Al-Sabah, of whom the National Assembly will pledge allegiance to one as the Crown Prince or heir apparent. To be appointed, the nominee must also have attained the age of majority, be of sound mind, and be the legitimate son of Muslim parents.

Events in the year 2023 in Kuwait.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Gandhi, Jennifer (2008), "Institutions and Policies under Dictatorship", Political Institutions under Dictatorship, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp. 44–52, doi:10.1017/cbo9780511510090.005, ISBN   978-0-511-51009-0 , retrieved 2020-11-16
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Yom, Sean (2024). "Will Kuwait's Next Parliament Be Its Last?". Journal of Democracy.