The Emergence of States in a Tribal Society: Oman under Sa'id bin Taymur, 1932-1970

The Emergence of States in a Tribal Society - now in paperback - reassesses the reign of Sa'id bin Taymur, who was deposed by his son, Qabus bin Sa'id, in a coup in July 1970. Contemporary historiography of the period of Sa'id's rule (1932-1970) views Oman as medieval and isolationist, whereas Qabus' later government is seen as progressive and enlightened, with his ascendancy to the throne often described as the "rebirth of Oman" from its "medieval slumber" into a thriving and prosperous sultanate. This study refutes the prevailing view that Sa'id's four-decade reign should be perceived as a place where time stood still. The author offers a critical look at the economic, political, social, and cultural aspects of Oman during the reign of Sa'id bin Taymur. The book mainly focuses on tribe-state relations, emphasizing their dynamic interaction, with particular attention paid to the relationships between the tribal groups. It reinterprets a significant time in the modern history of the Arabian Peninsula and pre-oil societies.