Dreamscapes of Dubai: Geographies and Genealogies of Global City Status Alisha Ticku A Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Program in Political Science, York University, Toronto, Ontario February 2017 © Alisha Ticku, 2017 Abstract This dissertation asks how Dubai’s dream and position as a ‘global city’ impacts on and is impacted by the experiences of a migrant-majority population; and, simultaneously, how the operation of highly exclusionary citizenship regimes and everyday ideologies work to justify and rationalize social hierarchies. It explores the making of Dubai’s global, developmental trajectory through a multiplicity of dreams and temporalities as they shape urban landscapes and social hierarchies in the city. Methodologically, it operates through an understanding of the simultaneity of social scales, which allows, in part, for an examination of how the ‘everyday’ offers insight as a counterpoint to the spectacle of globality. Theoretically I argue that understanding the construction of particular subjectivities created through relational identity formation and processes of ‘Othering’ based on privilege and exclusion allows for a more complex understanding of the social, political, economic and imaginary realms through which we might challenge social hierarchies and the subsequent violence(s) they engender as somehow natural, inevitable, increasingly acceptable, and at times, necessary in the making of neoliberal globality. It is argued that migration is an integral and foundational aspect of Dubai’s development and global allure, illustrated by mapping the diverse routes that comprise geographies of migration to the city, while simultaneously ‘unmapping’ the historical genealogies that accompany migrants on their journeys to the city. Together, these examinations allow us to trace histories of race, nationality, class and gender, operating at different scales, and in different forms and temporalities, to rationalize, normalize, and even, legitimize violent landscapes and hierarchies. Keywords: Dubai, global city, migration, citizenship, nationality, neoliberalism, race, nationality, hierarchies of entitlement, othering, privilege, lived experiences, ‘everyday’ narratives, and ideologies of ordering, genealogy, geography, imaginaries of the global. ii Dedication For my mother, who endured and sacrificed so much to make our dreams possible. iii Acknowledgements I am eternally grateful for all those with whom I have been lucky enough to cross paths with throughout this journey. A special thank you to my friends, D.I., D.E., N.S., L.B., K.F., M.B., Dr. S.I.K, D.B., K.S, B.S., H.B., Dr. Z.K., Dr. N.H., and Dr. L.J.K, for your laughter, love, and listening. To my committee for your endless support and contributions. To Zulfikar for your continued enthusiasm and support in helping me to see the important insights found in even the smallest detail - in narratives and the complexities of everyday life. To Anna for your incredibly nuanced, exciting, inspiring and provoking contributions to my theoretical knowledge. You not only motivate ideas but you embody a passion, dedication and energy that serves as a true inspiration to so many. To Kamala, you have been a constant rock in my academic journey, from my undergrad until today. You introduced me to so much important work, so many transformative ideas and have always pushed me to reach as far I could dream. Your support in every phase in my life, and at every stage in this journey will never be forgotten. Knowing you were behind me is a large part of what made this possible. Your encouragement, kindness and support are unmet. I can never thank you enough for everything you have done to make this possible. To Andy, the most recent addition to this journey. Your insights at this critical stage have made this work clear and consistent, and have helped me to understand my own words more deeply, through only the most genuine kindness and hilarity. To my family, the Salehs, who have given me such significant support throughout, most importantly that of spiritual guidance, keeping me grounded and grateful. To my sister, there truly is no one more selfless and kind than you. I hope one day to repay you for the endless love and laughter you have brought to my life. To the love of my life, Mohamed. I knew that it could have only turned out this way. The blessing of your life is a constant reminder for us all. My love and admiration for everything you do and the person you are, continues to grow. Thank you for allowing me to dream. This is for us. To my stepfather, thank you for all of your lessons through the chaotic beauty in which you live. To my Dad, I wish I could take away your suffering. I forgive you. I love you. To my Mother. No one will ever truly know how much you have sacrificed. Thank you for never letting one day pass without telling me how you love me and for reminding me that my education is the only thing that could never be taken from you. Thank you for making my dreams possible. To my babies, Lyla and Kareem. Although becoming a mother through this process made it that much harder, it also made it so much more valuable. Lyla, you are so inspiring in your unique, loving and fierce nature, I hope that nothing ever dims your light, and that you are always on the side of justice. Kareem, you are the greatest gift I have ever been given, you made me face so much pain I felt but did not know. I hope that I will never forget this feeling. “Never mock a pain you have not endured” iv Table of Contents Abstract .............................................................................................................................. ii Dedication ......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... iv Table of Contents ...............................................................................................................v Introduction ........................................................................................................................1 Dubai’s Dream and Dubai Dreams .................................................................................... 1 Context ................................................................................................................................. 5 Research Questions .............................................................................................................. 8 Theoretical Considerations ................................................................................................. 9 Methods ................................................................................................................................ 9 Organization ....................................................................................................................... 10 Dreamscapes .................................................................................................................... 10 Chapters and Connections ............................................................................................... 13 Dreams, Webs and Threads .............................................................................................. 18 Chapter One: Methodology ............................................................................................20 Section One: Research Design ......................................................................................... 22 Major Research Objectives .............................................................................................. 22 Research and Fieldwork Plans ......................................................................................... 24 Section Two: Fieldwork Reflections ................................................................................ 32 Passports and privilege .................................................................................................... 33 Altruism and activism ..................................................................................................... 35 On paranoia, safety and other myths of Dubai ................................................................ 37 Insecure and inadequate .................................................................................................. 40 Epistemology, subjectivity, inculcation and consumption .............................................. 41 Section Three: Key Theoretical Concepts and Methodological Tools ......................... 45 Power of Dreams ............................................................................................................. 46 Levels of Analysis ........................................................................................................... 54 Chapter Two: Imagining the Dream; Dubai in the Global Imaginary .......................67 Dubai in the Global Imaginary ........................................................................................ 67 Section One: Popular representations of the global ...................................................... 69 General descriptions on Dubai and globality .................................................................. 72 Section Two: Evaluating the Global City in Scholarly Works ..................................... 89