Cihat Battaloğlu
Qatar’s Societal Security: Towards the Inclusive National Concept of ‘Baladna’
Identity, Migration and External Threats Since 2017
Cihat Battaloğlu
Gerlach Press
Language: English
1. Edition (2026-08)
Hardcover, 176 pages
HC ISBN 9783959941976
Availability: in print
95.00 € (excl. VAT)
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> Bibliographic Data: https://d-nb.info/1378484851 🔗
This book examines the evolution of Qatar’s societal security perceptions, focusing on the impact of the 2017 Gulf crisis following the blockade imposed by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, and Egypt. The crisis, which isolated Qatar regionally, profoundly reshaped how societal security is understood in the country.
Prior to the crisis, Qatar, like other Gulf states, approached societal security with a strong focus on migration as a perceived threat to (national) identity. Migrant communities were increasingly seen as reshaping cultural and linguistic norms, thereby challenging the traditional conception of collective identity, or the notion of “we.”
However, the 2017 Gulf crisis marked a significant shift in Qatar’s societal perspective, distinguishing it from other Gulf states. In response to the blockade, Qatar embraced Baladna (“our country”) as an inclusive symbol, extending tribal solidarity into a broader national identity that encompassed both citizens and non-nationals.
Drawing parallels with Nordic models, Qatar’s societal security approach thus evolved from a focus preservation of identity toward creating a stronger sense of unity across its diverse population and protection of vital functions of society as a whole.