Charity, civil society begin at the top in highly centralised polities

To what extent could Gulf polities become more pluralist and different groups, like Christian congregations, Asian workers and other marginalised communities, gain greater political expression in states where they’ve settled? This question, from an academic new to the region now researching social groups in the Gulf, seems perfectly normal for a discussion over coffee in Europe. But across the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) such a question would elicit knowing looks from expatriates and nationals alike. ‘Post-modern city states’ like Qatar and UAE emirates may boast several denominations of church; migrant workers are increasingly protected by regulations (albeit coming from an often very low level) in many parts of the GCC.