아프리카ㆍ중동

Generally speaking, it is said that sectarianism in GCC countries is a transnational phenomenon witnessed across national boundaries. However, in these days, some scholars say that sectarianism plays out in some countries in important ways, and that domestic politics and discriminations of national institutions contribute to the perpetuation of sectarianism. Recently, the authorities of GCC have used sectarian politics as a strategic tactic to solve social and political problems. This is the reason why this paper tries to research domestic problems in GCC countries, including power structure, royal family's conflict, descent-based conflict, nepotism, and tribal conflict. As for correlation of nepotism and sectarianism, the most important examples are 2016's execution of Shi'i cleric Shaykh Nimr al-Nimr and 2013's intervention of Saudi-UAE military and police into Bahrain, Shi'a-dominated GCC country. After 2011 Arab spring, in Bahrain major political upheaval has been witnessed, in Kuwait and Oman limited protests had been witnessed, in Qatar there was no popular reform demands. It means most GCC countries, regardless of their domestic sectarianism, have wanted stability and security of nation, politically and socially and religiously. In case of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, we can find sectarianism cuts deeper into social network of both countries. To understand their situations, we have to research two major historical factors, one is the pushing of Saudi Sunni tribes from the interion into Bahrain in 18th century, the other is British's acceptance of Wahhabi expansionism to the Eastern province of Saudi and Bahrain in 20th century. It will be discussed in next paper.