"Women in Kuwait discusses a wide range of issues: the impact of the oil era; the growth of the state; the emergence of women's organizations in a male-dominated society; the recent Islamic revival; and the future prospects for women's participation in Kuwaiti society." "Based on first-hand research and an extensive analysis, this revised and updated edition includes a new introduction as well as two new chapters on feminist activism during and following the Gulf war, the nature of the relationship between women and the state, the role of gender in Islamism and cultural politics." "The author concludes that the enfranchisement of women presents a significant challenge to Kuwait's traditional system of politics and tribe; and that granting Kuwaiti women the vote in the present context, is paradoxically more likely to strengthen, rather than weaken, state control over domestic politics."--Jacket.