This chapter narrates the historical context that shaped the contemporary economic landscape of the Gulf states and critically examines the enduring impact of colonialism on the region’s economic fabric and how the entrenched “dual economic framework” imposed limitations on development. This chapter also sheds light on the emergence of resource nationalism as a transformative strategy for Gulf states to assert control over their natural resources and challenge this dependency. The creation of OPEC serves as a core moment in the realm of global energy politics, symbolizing a strategic move towards economic autonomy and the collective bargaining power of developing countries. Building upon this historical foundation, the chapter deconstructs the philosophical and theoretical frameworks that underpin development strategies during this era of rapid modernization in the Gulf and explores how Gulf policymakers creatively adapted these models to their unique socio-political and economic contexts, paving the way for their ascent as significant players in the global energy market.

This foundational chapter initiates a critical examination of the Gulf region’s multifaceted decarbonization strategies. Having traditionally thrived on hydrocarbon wealth, the region now confronts an interconnected nexus of challenges: climate action, economic diversification, and geopolitical realignments. This introduction contends that decarbonization in the Gulf extends beyond environmental imperatives; rather it represents a calculated maneuver to transcend the enduring constraints of the “dual economy” model, a legacy of colonialism. By adopting sustainable practices, Gulf states seek to reshape the established economic order and secure their positions as modern developmental states.

Finally, the chapter outlines a structural roadmap for the book. This roadmap offers both a chronological and thematic guide, aiding the reader in navigating the complexities of the Gulf’s multifaceted journey toward a decarbonized, diversified, and sustainable future.

This chapter delves into the multifaceted challenges and strategic approaches associated with energy pricing reform policies in the Gulf states, focusing on Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. This chapter provides a rigorous analysis of the steps implemented until the early 2020s, investigating their multifaceted implications for economic development, environmental sustainability, and long-term fiscal stability. Furthermore, it critically examines the institutional barriers that could impede the comprehensive implementation of energy pricing reform.

Crown Colony government, implemented in 1865, reserved political power in the hands of British-appointed officials, but there was no representative assembly. Only towards the end of the Second World War were improvements made towards more democracy in Jamaica, with the introduction of a new constitution and a general election held in 1944. Jamaica’s social structure remained heavily dominated by a white elite, with an emerging professional brown middle class and many impoverished black Jamaicans. The late nineteenth century witnessed the growth of the Jamaican peasantry. Sugar production was largely reorganised to centre around large sugar factories, while banana cultivation became an important new economic activity.

Elementary education improved in the late nineteenth century with a growth in the number of schools, but secondary education lagged behind and tertiary education was virtually non-existent until after the Second World War. Jamaicans remained attached to Afro-Caribbean spiritual beliefs but Christian churches, chapels and revivalist preachers gained followers. In the 1920s and 1930s, Rastafarianism emerged as a new system of belief and Marcus Garvey’s organisations offered hope for Jamaicans to find a future beyond colonialism. Worsening employment conditions in the 1930s led to major labour protests in 1938, the formation of trade unions and the birth of political parties.

This chapter presents and discusses some of the most comprehensive data on workplaces (establishments) and jobs on federally recognized American Indian reservations. Although the distribution of workplaces across industries is similar for reservations and nearby county areas, the number of reservation workplaces per resident is about 30 percent lower. Nonetheless, the overall number of jobs located within reservations is roughly on par with or even somewhat higher than in the county comparison areas, largely due to high job counts in the gaming industry and government sector. Outcomes can vary significantly from one reservation to another within the overall group of reservations. Nonetheless, the overall pattern suggests an opportunity to expand tribal economies by diversifying their private sectors beyond the gaming and government workplaces that dominate reservation job numbers today.