Nationals represent barely 20 percent of the population in the United Arab Emirates, but form the economically and socially privileged group of UAE citizens. The rulers of the seven emirates were able to retain the historical loyalty of the “Emiratis” by advancing the economic development of the individual states, while Abu Dhabi-financed federal development helped to create a viable national state. Democratization is not of the same urgency as in some neighboring Gulf countries.

Everyone accepts that a one-size-fits-all model cannot deliver successful democratic reform. But it is less widely understood that the process is open-ended, with no predetermined finishing line. Development depends on a political version of bio-diversity, in which democracy emerges organically out of existing local traditions and practices. In the case of Oman, a deeply rooted tradition of consultative rule and the distinctive philosophy of Ibadism has been shaping democratic development for 30 years.

Since 1991, the status of women in Morocco has been the subject of widespread debate. Efforts by women's groups and liberal political forces to change the Shari‘a-based Personal Status Code (moudawwana) were vigorously opposed by conservative and Islamist forces. For both sides, the issue was central to their overall orientations towards "tradition" and "modernity." King Muhammad VI ultimately tipped the balance in favor of change. The resulting new Family Law may well mark a milestone in Moroccan society's evolution.

Ten states in the Middle East have created or plan to establish “national human rights institutions” to implement internationally recognized norms. This article offers a systematic survey of this new but unexplored terrain, examining issues of institutional creation, design, and impact in the context of domestic and international influences. After describing the global trend and analyzing the regional cases, the article concludes by discussing the positive aspects and persistent challenges facing these emerging actors.

Women’s parties have played a significant role on the Israeli political scene from the beginning of the 20th century until the present. Moreover, women’s parties have had far-reaching impact on both the status of women and wider society. However, the significance of women’s parties has been underrated by academia and the media, and their potential prospects have been continuously denied. Women’s antagonistic attitudes towards women’s parties are, in particular, conspicuous. The article describes and analyzes this phenomenon.