Exploring divergences in comparative research: citizenship regimes and the spectacular cities of Central Asia and the GCC

摘要: Interrogating the concept of ‘legality’ and how it relates to local citizenship regimes, this article shows a focus on cross-regional divergences can offer theoretical insights into political implications projects that, surface, appear be strikingly similar. Taking case apparently similar spectacular capital city development schemes in resource-rich states Central Asia Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), I show that there are significant differences underlying geographic economic factors makes them possible, as well relations they sustain produce. Like most around world, foreigners represent minority overall population Asian states, but GCC, citizens countries. Because configuration, broadly coded legal legitimate Gulf, illegal corrupt Asia. By honing these two different regions, study state's power define citizenship, thus who is entitled its resources, tremendously powerful technology government, which hinges actively constructing binary between ‘legal’ ‘illegal’.