Kuwait is one of the very few states in the Middle East with a written Constitution, separation of powers, rights of free speech, fair elections, and a parliament with a genuinely popular mandate. If democracy is an active peaceful engagement of debate through channels safeguarded by a Constitution accepted and adhered to by all, then Kuwait has a thriving democratic society with a democratic government.

Until the 1950s, Kuwait was a traditional society with a small population and very limited resources. While the country’s oil potential was recognised toward the end of World War II, the influx of oil money did not come until the time of independence from Great Britain in 1961.

Democracy emerged in Kuwait not so much because of merchant family involvement in politics (a widely held view), but due to such factors as the country’s geographical location, the enlightenment of its rulers, its oil wealth, and its accepting the ideas of Arab naturalism.

Kuwait’s formal experience with democracy began with two primitive assemblies, one convened in 1920, and the other in 1938. The first Kuwaiti document with the term ‘election’ dates back to February 22, 1921 when several Kuwaitis, led by Shaikh Yousef Bin Essa Al-Qenai, presented a memo to the then Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Ahmed Al- Jaber Al-Sabah, proposing a Consultative Council to be established in the country.

The result of this memo was indeed the establishment of Kuwait’s first Consultative Council, which was the basis of other political formations that emerged later. Although the Consultative Council was formed, elections did not take place at that time, instead allowing appointed members to help manage the nation’s affairs.

On the other hand, the Council’s president was elected to office and nominating the late Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Sager the first Speaker. The first actual elections were akin to board of director elections, for small ministries that were in Kuwait during at that time. These elections were held during the reign of Sheikh Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Kuwait’s tenth ruler, who rule lasted from 1921 to 1950. The voting process during this period was the first of its kind in the history of Kuwait, and was the electoral process that paved the way for the Municipality Council elections that were held in 1932.

Following these elections, others were held in the Ministries of Health and Awqaf. This promoted an increase of awareness and participation in the nation’s affairs. In 1938, due to both internal and external pressures, Kuwaitis felt a need for crucial changes in the ruling system and called for a democratic and parliamentary politics.

This period is considered to be the most vital in the development of the Kuwaiti constitutional system, with elections held for the first legislative council after 320 voters were called to cast their votes in the election of 14 MPs from among almost 40 candidates.

Neither of these early experiences with representative government lasted very long but they established a model, and they have in turn become a part of Kuwait’s democratic tradition. In particular, they influenced the 1962 Constitution, one of the most democratic in spirit to be found in the Middle East.

This Constitution combines popular and royal authority; it provides for a freely elected National Assembly with broad legislative powers, while giving HH the Amir some legislative authority too. The National Assembly’s real authority means that Kuwait is not an absolute monarchy, while HH the Amir has many powers make him more than a Constitutional monarch.