Agents of Socialization among Gulf Arab Youth

Abstract

In the contemporary sense of the term, political socialization in the Arab Gulf is a recent phenomenon. The literature on the area has been essentially of a historical or journalistic nature. Empirical studies of social change, especially in the advent of the oil era, have only begun to appear. This paper will attempt to study some of the causes and consequences of these changes which are unique in many ways. (1) An empirical investigation of the process of socialization will seek to answer some specific questions : 1. What are the agents of socialization? 2. What role do they play in shaping the attitude of the citizen? 3. To what extent have these socialization agents changed and influenced Arab culture in the drive toward modernity? 4. What is the role of ,the state in promoting some agents over others? 5. Is there evidence of fragmentation in the state? 6. What are some of the orientations of the youth?