The State-Building Crisis in Bahrain: A Study of the Problem of Political Legitimacy and the Challenges of Stability (2001-2024)

Abstract

The Bahraini case reflects a complex model of state-building crisis within a context where considerations of political legitimacy intertwine with structural, economic, and social imbalances. The political system is characterized by a broad concentration of executive power and a clear dominance over the legislative process. This has weakened mechanisms of representation and accountability and restricted the effectiveness of political participation, particularly within a legal environment that limits the activities of opposition forces and reshapes the public sphere to ensure the continuity of power. These factors have contributed to a fragile stability based more on a security approach than on political consensus. Conversely, the recurring protests have indicated a growing gap between the state and society, fueled by imbalances in the distribution of power and wealth, as well as a rising sense of marginalization among broad segments of the population. This has deepened the structural nature of the political conflict and hindered the prospects for building a stable social contract. Furthermore, restrictions on public freedoms, including freedom of expression and assembly, have contributed to shrinking spaces for political mediation and pushing interactions toward more tense patterns. Economically, despite some appearances of relative diversification, the Bahraini economy remains governed by the logic of oil rents, which limits the dynamism of sustainable development and makes public finances vulnerable to external fluctuations. This is compounded by persistent budget deficits and rising public debt, which intersect with labor market challenges, particularly disguised unemployment and the private sector's limited absorption of the national workforce, negatively impacting social stability. At the social level, the issue of national identity emerges as a major source of tension. Sectarian affiliations are intertwined with the power structure, deepening divisions and undermining the principle of equal citizenship. Furthermore, policies of citizenship revocation and human rights violations foster an atmosphere of distrust and limit opportunities for social integration. Thus, a complex cycle of overlapping challenges is perpetuated, hindering comprehensive reform and necessitating the adoption of more balanced approaches based on political openness and equitable development.