1 Introduction: The Balancing Powers: A New Approach to Study Kuwait’s History 2 Kuwait’s Institutional Development until 1921 Establishment of the Ruling System in Kuwait The Role of the Economy in the Relationship between Sheikhs and Merchants Mubarak al-Sabah’s Rule (1896-1915) Mubarak’s Coup in 1896: Prelude to the Balancing Powers’ Roles Emigration of Leading Merchants in 1910 The Pearl Industry and the Labour Force: The Balancing Powers in the Light of History Mubarak and the Opposition from the Religious Scholars The British Protection of al-Sabah’s Throne The Reigns of Jabir and Salim (1915-1921) The Emergence of Institutions in Kuwait during the Reigns of Mubarak and his Sons Al-Mubarakiyya School The Establishment of al-Jamʿiyya al-Khayriyya in 1913 The Institutional Development in the Era of Salim bin Mubarak 3 The Emergence of Political Institutions Social Stratification and Divisions in the Pre-Oil Era Asil and Non-Asil Neighbourhoods Occupation and Economic Class 1921 Shura Council (Majlis al-Shura) The First Written Constitution in Kuwait’s History ʿAbd al-‘Aziz al-Rushaid’s Leading Role The Development of Cultural and Administrative Institutions Al-Maktaba Al-Ahliyya Al-Nadi Al-Adabi (the Literary Club) The Municipal and Education Councils 4 The 1938 Legislative Council The Rise in Power of the National Bloc Roots and Inspirations of the Bloc The Impact of the Iraqi Media in the Establishment of the Legislative Council Qasr al-Zuhur Radio Ahmad al-Jabir’s Reaction to the 1938 Merchants’ Petition The Election of the First Legislative Council in 1938 The 1938 Council’s Reforms The Dissolution of the Council The British Attitude towards the 1938 Legislative Council The Role of the Balancing Powers in the Outcome of the Struggle Bedouins, ʿAjams, and Villagers Supporting the Ruler The National Youth Bloc and the Intelligentsia: Supporters of the Legislative Council The Second Legislative Council in 1939 The 1939 Council’s Dissolution and the Execution of al-Munais The Fate of the Political Detainees Conclusion 5 Wielding Power: The Sheikhs’ Domination on Kuwaiti Politics (1939-1956) Power Dynamics within the Ruling Family between 1921 and 1938 The Rise of the Awlad Salim (1940-1950) The 1950 Succession of Ahmad al-Jabir ‘Abd Allah al-Salim’s Challenged Consolidation of His Rule The British Struggle with the Heads of Hereditary Institutions 6 The Balancing Powers during the Oil Era The Constitution of an Intelligentsia Ideological Trends among the Intelligentsia: al-Shirbasi’s Typology The Intelligentsia as the Neo-Opposition A New M‘azib? From Diving to Drilling The Intelligentsia and Oil Revenues The Distribution Policies and the Balancing Powers Conclusion 7 The Balancing Powers’ Crucial Political Role, 1957-1962 The Arab Nationalists’ Involvement in External Affairs The Apogee of the Arab Nationalist Movement The Sheikhs Assert their Power (1957-1960) The Balancing Powers’ Role in Establishing the Nascent State – Kuwait’s Independence and Qasim’s Threats The Return of the 1938 Majlis Movement’s Merchants The New Constitution: The Balancing Powers Sweep the 1961 Elections The Direct Confrontation between the Balancing Powers and the Sheikhs The Constitutional Committee: Negotiating the Balance of Power Kuwait’s Constitutional Framework Conclusion 8 Concluding Remarks Appendices Notes List of Sources