Like its Arab neighbours, Qatar displays all the characteristics of rentier states. All oil revenues go directly to the government, a fundamental feature of a rentier state. The government has both economic and political power and this control of revenue means they can decide what parts of their economy and infrastructure should be developed.
The political system in Qatar is based on absolute monarchy where the head of the state has total power. Qatar has a consultative assembly with 35 unelected members whose role is to approve the national budget, monitor ministers through and vote on proposed legislation. There have been elections for the consultative assembly, however they have been put off three times, most recently in 2010 suggesting this is an authoritarian regime, which is trying to hinder the introduction of democracy. The unelected assembly gives the impression of democracy whereas in reality, members are likely to have tribal and kinship ties to the ruling elite. The Qatari political system is of an authoritarian structure where the Al Thani family has total power.
Qatar has become one of the wealthiest rentier states in the world because 70% of the government’s total revenue is made up from petroleum revenue. The government is the recipient of all oil rents, giving them the power to choose how they develop their country.