State Formation in Bahrain

This chapter investigates how the relationship between state formation and the sect-identity dynamics contributed to the escalation of sectarian struggle in different periods of the country&s;s history. The establishment of the Kingdom of Bahrain was an outcome of treaties between the Al-Khalifa ruling family, who received recognition and protection from the British, and the British, who in exchange, assumed control over Bahrain&s;s foreign affairs. The British supported Al-Khalifa rule against internal opposition in order to secure their control over Bahrain&s;s oil. The colonial legacy had a damaging and long-lasting impact on Bahraini society and on the national perception of threat and danger to the regime. The established order gave the ruling family a monopoly over resource distribution, maintained and securitized sectarian divisions used to divide and rule, and established an exclusionary version of Bahraini identity which favored the conquering Al-Khalifa regime over the pre-existing Baharna population. This created grievances among the opposition, while the regime portrayed their demands for reform as sectarian and securitized them as serving Iranian interests. This chapter shows how the existing power structure enabled the securitization of sect identities of opposition reformist movements that challenged the regime and established the preconditions that contributed to the eruption of events culminating in the 2011 uprisings.