Al-Ajman-New comer, non-homogenous, politically active, scattered geographically.

Al-Rashaidi-very politically active, long time residency in Kuwait, not linked closely with royals.

Al-Aneza-Northern tribe, arrived in Kuwait about the same time as the royal family, non-scattered geographically, but less overtly political.

Al-Awazan-Outnumbered by the others, scattered densely in Salmiya and roundabouts.

Al-Utaibi-Not as large as other tribes, but prevalent around township of Khaitan.

Al-Shammen-Arrived in Kuwait and settled in north in the 19th century, less active politically than most tribes.

Dr. Al-Haddad later confirmed that there are at least three dozen other smaller tribes in Kuwait. Most create alliances to have some political weight.

In short, over the past 4 to 5 decades, political contexts in Kuwait have actually raised the tendency for an individual Kuwaiti to see him- or herself as allied with one tribe or another.

The central government has since discovered that this causes dysfunctional tendencies in the oil sector and in the government ministries, which should be taking care of the whole society. Because the government has guaranteed jobs to all citizens, the influence of the tribal connections on employment has aided in the growing sense of Kuwaitis choosing to see themselves as affiliated with one tribe or another-i.e. perhaps Kuwaitis have become more tribally oriented than during the pre-oil era.

THE "URBANS"

The only major opposition to tribal control or dominance of Kuwaiti politics come from "the urbans", i.e. Kuwaiti people who desire that tribal identity have little role to play in modern Kuwait.

They don't like tribes because (1) tribes hinder integration of society, (2) hinder all kinds of urban, social and other development in Kuwait, and (3) hinder the functioning of the state.

The government has recently tried several tactics to reduce the role of tribablism. These tactics have included a land reform, the redistricting of political boundaries and constituencies, the prohibition of tribal elections, and offers to relocate tribesmen in a more scattered way through expensive housing programs.

However, at this juncture in history, "the urbans" have too little political clout to eradicate from bad ministries and government-owned companies the bad leadership and the tribal infightings (and tribal job placement services). These practices are time-and-again not putting the most qualified peoples in the right positions.

Many women are choosing to run under urban platforms in this election. They will not likely succeed. On the other hand, if the tribes would agree to support women more, the women representing tribal groups would likely win handily.

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