The Gulf Cooperation Council: a study in integration (Ph.D. Thesis)

The Gulf Cooperation Council was established in May 1981 by the heads of state of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. While Western observers considered security to be main objective of the members, security is not mentioned in the Council's foundation charter. The council intends to promote close coordination in the economic and social spheres between the member states. This study examines the Gulf Cooperation Council in light of integration theories, originally articulated in reference to Western experiences, in order to determine whether the Council actually constitutes a fresh attempt to promote Arab unity. Through analysis of the Council's achievements, this thesis concludes that the Council is a cautious and pragmatic tool for advancing Arab unity while at the same time reflects favorably on Western theories of integration based on the concept of the security community.