Experience of Kuwait

4. What is the view of the population in Kuwait on globalisation regarding a win-win-strategy? Do they seek a win-win situation for everybody?

Answer by Jana Hybášková:

Kuwait was part of global trade for centuries. Historians will not agree with “out of Europe understanding” of globalization. Nevertheless, the global trade routes existed well before Levant and East India Society were established. The price of wood, the price of rice, the price of sandalwood, price of gold were global even before. Kuwait produced pearls; Kuwaiti sailors sell them in India, in exchange for timber, copper and rice. Months they were sailing East and returning West. Their wives never accompanied them. They live local life, taking care for children and animals. Men were part of global world. The issue was: How to protect woman? She should stay at home, each home was a small fortress, she should be veiled and never leave the house without male company. What seems today as total disregard to woman rights, used to be functioning security measure. Man did not return home in lesser time than 8 month…

The whole life changed rapidly during fifties, due to oil business and UK negotiated departure. Within two less than two generations time Kuwait became one of the richest societies in the world. Kuwait is great study case for globalization purpose: can globalization amplified by unaccountable wealth be used in sustainable way? Kuwait managed to develop great health care, educational, security, energy, transportation system. The social and technical infrastructures are financed directly, by state, from oil income. State, as technical structure functions well. Who was left behind, is Kuwaiti society. Kuwait does not know taxation system. No taxation, no representation. Huge wealth on side, which was not used to the benefit of all society, caused marginalization of foreign workers who are the only really working part of Kuwait state. Disregard to public work, to work generally harms Kuwaiti youth.

It was not only oil trauma, but Kuwait went in 90ties through unique experience. Total physical occupation by barbaric army of Saddam Hussein lasted for 8 month. In Europe we have not enough information on what really happened in Kuwait. As decades and centuries earlier, many families were split: men were on their global trade paths, women were at home. These were Kuwaiti women, who protected houses, banking accounts, kids, family ownership. Their trauma can never be healed. These are Kuwaiti women today, who do not trust the world, who sticks fully to their conservative habits and manners, who cover themselves, who are true believers, who do not drink and smoke…

Globalization wealth and oil income made Kuwait a victim of Saddam invasion. Fast globalization brought war and suffering. Only very slowly Kuwait recovers itself. And only very slowly the trust in modern world is being regained and only very slowly Kuwaitis open their Universities, give voting rights to women, bring their woman to parliament.

Only very slowly Kuwait achieves back its pride, its museums, and its public life. The strategic threat nevertheless is not smaller than it was. Iraq is not fully democratic yet, and Iran already becomes existential threat. Iranian nuclear problem, Saudi reaction to it is new blocks on Kuwaiti way to openness, modernization, democratization.

Kuwait sees its world role through its Kuwaiti Fund of Arab Economic Development. KFAED is enormous global development fund, present in more than 50 underdeveloped countries. KFAED is great example of shared global benefit, of positive instrument of globalization. KFAED is managed in great modern and global way. Let us wish to Kuwait to get rid soon of its strategic threats. In this case Kuwait will even more be willing to share its wealth with peoples in need. Kuwait, if not being harmed by outer military threats would be a great globalization contributor.

The conclusion is clear: Without strategic threats the globalization will be closer to win-win situation. To better manage globalization, we should properly manage strategic threats.