This is an examination of the political, economic and social develoment of the Sultanate of Oman from the accession of Sultan Qaboos b Sa'id Al-Sa'id in a palace coup in 1970 to the promulgation of the basic law in November 1996. This is an examination of the political, economic and social development of Oman from the accession Sultan Qaboos in a palace coup in 1970 to the promulation of the basic law of 1996. The book argues that the sultanate does not follow the "rentier" model but the patriarchal tradition.