Globalization in Qatar

1. "Qatar: Anatomy of a Globalized State." In one generation Qatar has transformed from a sparsely populated and relatively unknown nation into a serious player in the global marketplace, and its citizens have become wealthy because of its transformation. The discovery of oil and natural gas is the central reason for this drastic change. If there were no international demand for oil or natural gas, modern Qatar would look drastically different than it does today. "Qatar has the highest GDP per capita and economic growth rate in the world, at 19.4 percent in 2010." This from a nation that's main exports, before the oil and gas industries, were pearls and fish. In selling its energy resources to the West, Qatar has adopted some aspects of Western culture, including clothing, chain restaurants, shopping malls, and collections of Western art.

2. "The Plight of Qatar's Foreign Workers." Foreign workers in Qatar are systematically taken advantage of. The estimated 1.2 million foreign laborers (94% of Qatar's total population) are forbidden from forming unions or going on strike. This is a pressing issue considering the boom in construction in preparing for the World Cup in 2022. On one hand, it is positive that these huge construction projects are creating jobs, but this can only be positive if the workers are treated fairly and humanely. With the World Cup, Qatar has the chance to impress the world, or possibly to disgust it.