Le sultanat d'Oman en quête d'un second souffle

The sudden slump in oil production since 2001 has only heightened the question of an alternative to an economybased on oil revenues, whereas the sultanate had undergone exponential development over the three precedingdecades. From this standpoint, the policy of Omanizing the labor force conditions all other issues, as it is notmerely an economic matter, but instead deeply alters the social fabric that remained intact during the era ofprosperity, thereby questioning the very legitimacy of Oman’s economic model. Omani society is currentlyexperiencing a rise in frustrations reflected in a resurgence of particularist prejudices and demands. Alongside thisphenomenon is an exacerbation of inequality, particularly due to the enmeshment of economic and decisionmakingpowers in the hands of the oligarchy that has benefited from these revenues since 1970. To what extentdo the changes Oman is going through today harbor a threat for the stability of a regime considered to be one ofthe most stable in the region?