Would you take wealth over democracy?
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Dubai is said to be the hub of the gulf and home to experts and ex pats from around the region, so it's a good place to come to examine what's taking place in nearby countries like Bahrain.
Owen Bennett-Jones and I have been broadcasting special editions of our sister show Newshour from Dubai all weekend. Owen has now left and I'm staying on to gather some students together for tonight's WHYS.
Dubai is relatively liberal for the Middle East, people have a certain amount of freedom but its hard to get people to open up. I've heard the phrase "I don't talk politics, just economics" stated a few times.
As I wondered through the few traditional souks left in Dubai and visited the giant malls that have replaced them people are guarded about what they say. The one Emirati that did speak to me tried to explain why "We have everything we need here. When I was married I was given $22,000 cash with free land and a house. Why do I need to fill my head with politics? I just live my life and be happy."
The Al Maktoum family has ruled Dubai since 1833 but you'll be hard pushed to find people on the street who has anything but high praise for the Sheikh. There's a certain amount of pride in what's been achieved here.
Many of the protesters around the region want democracy, the people here have no say over who leads the country but when you have so much success and wealth does it really matter? My Emirati friend doesn't think so - I wonder how many of you would take wealth over democracy?
