The Institution of Monarchy as a Factor of Stability in Contemporary Arab States. A Comparative Analysis of Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia
The Institution of Monarchy as a Factor of Stability in Contemporary Arab States. A Comparative Analysis of Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

Summary/Abstract: This paper examines how monarchies in Jordan, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia function as stabilising institutions. Using qualitative comparative system analysis, combined with behavioural and media analysis elements, it identifies three key sources of legitimacy—traditional, charismatic, and legal—that support regime resilience. Traditional legitimacy is rooted in tribal ancestry and reinforced by Islamic authority and patronage networks. Charismatic legitimacy comes from the states’ founders and current monarchs’ crisis management and public image. Legal legitimacy stems from constitutional frameworks that institutionalise governance, political discourse, and succession. The study highlights the role of rentierism in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, where welfare policies reduce popular discontent, whilst in Jordan, where resources are less abundant, emphasis is placed on constitutional reform and symbolic leadership. Despite differing capacities, all three monarchies demonstrate adaptability through institutional evolution and image-building strategies. The findings provide a framework for understanding the durability of Arab monarchies and offer insights for scholars and policymakers analysing regime stability in the wider Middle Eastern context.

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