Will Dubai get wrapped up in this "democracy" movement?

[MadMullah]

Just a consideration...

with Bahrain being just a stone throw away and being caught up

would there be any risk of Dubai being caught up in a similar fashion?

Personally I dont think so. its a different ball game - yes the money has gone from there and the property market has fallen dramatically but to believe democracy will sort it out i dont think the people will be saying that just yet...

[Asterix]

Unlikely.

Those that could legitimately protest, Emiratis, are extremely well looked after by the rulers and we don't have the sectarian divide that Bahrain does.

Very different scenario.

[thinfourth2]

Hopefully they will be clever enough to realise the downsides of democracy

Give me a "nice" dictator any day of the week

[Godzuki]

thinfourth2 said:

Hopefully they will be clever enough to realise the downsides of democracy

Give me a "nice" dictator any day of the week

Is there one?

[thinfourth2]

Godzuki said:

thinfourth2 said:

Hopefully they will be clever enough to realise the downsides of democracy

Give me a "nice" dictator any day of the week

Is there one?

Singapore is closest

But i've yet to see a politician who isn't out for themselves

I'm sure even winky would of made less of a mess of things if he wasn't vote chasing

[RemainAllHoof]

Godzuki said:

Is there one?

I'll have a go. I'd rule with an iron fist, the interior of the gauntlet would be furry; people would know me as being harsh but fair... with a bizarre sense of humour.

[davepoth]

I'd say Dubai is unlikely - IIRC the expats outnumber natives by a considerable margin?

-edit-

Yes, they're outnumbered four to one, according to Wikipedia. It just wouldn't work.

[Chilli]

davepoth said:

I'd say Dubai is unlikely - IIRC the expats outnumber natives by a considerable margin?

-edit-

Yes, they're outnumbered four to one, according to Wikipedia. It just wouldn't work.

From my experience, the locals here love their rulers and their laws. They are well looked after. The only uprising I could imagine is if they were forced to work hard....then there would be a riot.
Dump the expats and there'd only be 12 people left and even then I doubt they could be bothered to do anything...it's too hot.

[oilydan]

I heard from some Omanis that there had already been some protests in Abu Dhabi......

Freedom of press was high on the agenda.

[Chilli]

oilydan said:

I heard from some Omanis that there had already been some protests in Abu Dhabi......

Freedom of press was high on the agenda.

There's a bit of...what's the word, bickering going on between the Omanis and Emirates. A guy at work went off-roading with about 8 mates in 3 jeeps and got stopped by the Omani bib. He says it's quite common. They stop you and make you empty the cars before looking inside for 2 seconds then watching you pack it all up again. Same happens for the Omanis when they stray into Dubai Desert! Fingers crossed it's just another load of bu!!st.

[oilydan]

Yes, there is a load of that too, a number of vehicles taking part in Oman demos were AUH plated....