This paper examines the extent to which globalization at different levels, social, political and economic, affects the religious life, workings and appearance of the UAE state. Several questions are important here. 1) To what extent has globalization changed the nature of the UAE state? 2) Have the forces of globalization weakened or strengthened the role of religion in the state. And 3) what are the implications of such change in a broader perspective for Gulf rentier states. Here the focus is really on the ability or inability of the state to manage the process of globalization and its effects on its national life. In dealing with religion and secularism, the paradox of globalization is that both trends may be reinforced simultaneously. So religion may appear to be strengthened by global, secular challenges, while at the same time secular societies may be challenged by religious belief and action in response to the threat of globalization. The UAE has embraced economic globalization leading to a watering down of any Islamic tendencies in favour of the economic success of its state. Globalization has strengthened the state in the UAE. In this case we will examine the United Arab Emirates, (a rentier state) combining a federation of states which emerged from tribal groupings and though founded on Islamic principles has highly embraced the waves of economic globalization without its political consequences (i.e. democracy). A benign and modernizing leadership allowed the UAE to become a rentier state which commanded absolute loyalty from the majority of its citizens. The increasing diversification of the economy in certain emirates (Dubai for instance), one could argue will strengthen not weaken the forces of the state allowing them to maintain control and ensure further progress. The interdependence of state and citizenry were in some ways symbiotic with and both reliant on the other for their survival. The relegation of religion as an important part of the new state but subject to it meant that loyalties were first given to the state which comprised a patriarchal hierarchy. The implications for this in rentier states will be examined in an assessment of democratization in the UAE and elsewhere.
