ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the experience of two states in seeking to move towards constitutionalism: Bahrain and Qatar. Despite their participation in the federation talks between 1968 and 1971, which led to the seven other emirates forming the United Arab Emirates, they opted for independence. Since independence, the rulers of both countries have expressed the desire for a constitutional form of government. In Bahrain, a constitutional experiment was attempted and failed. In Qatar, the provisional constitution has so far not even been implemented. The chapter also focuses on the two constitutions separately and attempts to delineate the common characteristics of them and the common problems in both countries. For purposes of comparison between the two constitutions it would be useful to examine three specific indicators: how the sources of legitimacy are defined; to what degree popular participation is permitted; and how authority is shared among the divisions of government.
