Establishing Control: Political Patronage Networks

Abstract

This chapter describes in depth how MBS and MBZ have established their control through building highly personalized political patronage networks. Firstly, their creation of an ‘inner circle’ of closest relatives is considered, including most prominently their full brothers and (in MBZ’s case) their adult sons. Secondly, their creation of a parallel circle of non-ruling family technocrats and gatekeepers is discussed, including key friends and cronies who have been entrusted with major political and economic portfolios. Thirdly, the special circumstances surrounded the treatment of the formal heads of state is explained--in MBS’s case his father Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al-Saud (the King of Saudi Arabia), and in MBZ’s case his older half-brother Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (the ruler of Abu Dhabi and President of the UAE). Fourthly, the management of other influential ruling family members is studied, including the co-option or coercion of half-brothers and uncles (and in MBZ’s case senior members of other UAE ruling families). Finally, MBS and MBZ’s supervision of other, lesser ruling family members is reflected upon, including the small minority who have either been actively repressed or have flown into exile.