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Beyond the rentier bargain: SMEs and state control in Gulf states’ diversification Fawwaz Al-Abdulhadi (24292760) PUREID: 677651490 Rentier State state capitalism economic diversification institutional adaptation SME SME policy Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) neo-Gramscian passive revolution multi-level perspective new institutional economics energy transition institutional change This research examines how Gulf rentier states deploy small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as instruments of state-led economic restructuring. Focusing on Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait from their national vision launches to present, the study challenges classical rentier state theory by analysing SME development institutions as instruments of economic statecraft. Through comparative case study analysis, the research demonstrates that SME promotion functions not as market liberalisation but as a mechanism for maintaining hegemony while engineering a new economic trajectory. Findings reveal divergent institutional trajectories across the three cases, with implications for understanding regime resilience and economic governance in post-oil transition contexts.<br><br><i>Thesis is embargoed until 31st July 2031.</i> 2026-10-01T16:15:33Z Text Thesis 10.17034/32805506.v1 https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/Beyond_the_rentier_bargain_SMEs_and_state_control_in_Gulf_states_diversification/32805506 All Rights Reserved Open Access after 2031-07-31