摘要：Transnational elites are sometimes considered as one of significant shadow forces in shaping the global economy. Their impacts, however, may differ from one region to another. This paper aims at assessing and defining the recent role played by transnational elites in the [Persian] Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the regional and global significance of their power struggle. Following the discussion of the GCC’s history in the context of globalization studies, this paper aims to show that one cannot analyze the GCC and its impacts without taking into account the GCC’s transnational elites and their power struggles. These struggles are among the root causes of many elements of economic and geopolitical status quo in the Persian Gulf region. Three factors are important in this regard. The first is the significant role played by petrodollars controlled by the GCC’s transnational elite. The second factor is the visible participation western educational system in the GCC. The third factor is the presence of transnational labor class. Finally, the paper will conclude with a brief discussion of how the GCC national economies are integrating into global economy through the GCC transnational elites.
