Understanding Economic and Civic Culture in the UAE Calvert W. Jones Ph.D. Candidate, Yale University Visiting Scholar, Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi Foundation for Policy Research

Background: Dissertation Research How are Gulf state leaders seeking to adapt traditional social contracts? How are young people’s beliefs and attitudes evolving as a result? Current focus on UAE and education reform

Why are attitudes important? Young people’s beliefs and attitudes affect whether and how much they will contribute to the development of their country Development as “self-discovery” (Hausmann & Rodrik, 2003)

Adapting the Social Contract

The View from the Top: The Desired Citizen “We want Emiratis to take charge of their path through life with the confidence to map out a productive and fulfilling future for themselves and their nation. In their professional lives they will prove that the route to success lies through personal commitment, dedication and a strong work ethic. Satisfaction and motivation will reward their self- reliance and initiative; their appetite for risk-taking will be fuelled by a vigorous entrepreneurial spirit” (Vision 2021, p. 4)

Pilot Study: Ras al Khaimah Purpose  Assess validity of survey instruments  Explore differences between Emiratis and non- Emiratis 5 secondary schools, 62 students Surveyed about economic, social, and political attitudes

The belief that there are returns to work (p=.04) In the long run, hard work usually brings success Hard work doesn’t generally bring success—it’s more a matter of luck and connections Emirati average (3.09) Non-Emirati average (2.15)

I’m willing to take risks. I’m not willing to take risks. Emirati average (3.06) Non-Emirati average (1.96) In general, are you willing or unwilling to take risks if there is a good chance of reward? (p=.002)

How much, out of 100,000 AED, would you be willing to invest in a friend’s new company? (p=.03)  All of it  95,000  90,000  85,000  80,000  75,000  70,000  65,000  60,000  55,000  50,000  45,000  40,000  35,000  30,000  25,000  20,000  15,000  10,000  5,000  None of it Emirati average: 33,000 AED Non-Emirati average: 45,000 AED

Attitudes toward entrepreneurs (p=.000)

Attitudes toward science and technology: Item 1 (p=.03)

Attitudes toward science and technology: Item 2 (p=.000)

Job Priorities

Values that ought to be encouraged in children

In Sum Emirati respondents were less certain that there are returns to work, and less inclined to take risks. But they were more positive toward the role played by science and technology in society. And they believed more strongly that entrepreneurs ought to be admired by others. Job priorities and values are very different.

Conclusions and Implications Findings are preliminary Further research is needed on reasons for differences And on how different educational initiatives affect attitudes (causally) in these areas Findings should help design more targeted policy responses, tailored to the needs of different populations of young people