In a region known for its export of oil, Monarchies of Extraction explores how the Gulf states are simultaneously defined by the importation of food. Charting the economics and politics of the Gulf through an examination of its food system, Christian Henderson demonstrates how these states constitute a distinct social metabolism. Starting with the pre-oil phase, this book examines the politics of agrarian change in the Gulf. In the contemporary period, Henderson considers the way that the Gulf states represent 'inverted farms', where the import of prodigious quantities of agricultural commodities has enabled these economies to overcome their lack of arable land. As a result of this trade, states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia have developed their own agribusiness sectors. Henderson further shows how food and consumption in the Gulf states constitute political questions of diet, sustainability, and boycott.

‘A fascinating account of how the Gulf states are reshaping the global food system. Packed with impressive detail and analytically rich, this is an indispensable book for making sense of the Gulf's place in today’s world.’

Adam Hanieh - Professor of Political Economy and Global Development, University of Exeter

‘This is a fantastic, deeply original book about food in the Gulf. It is not only a richly researched account of the political economy of food production and consumption domestically and of land grabs abroad. It asks us to take seriously the interwoven politics of food, power, capital and security.’

Laleh Khalili - avid cook, and the Al Qasimi Professor of Gulf Studies, University of Exeter

‘The transformation of the Gulf’s food systems from subsistence agriculture and pastoralism, to global import, export, agri-business and land acquisition hub is perhaps more extreme than anywhere on the planet. This is a rich, detailed account of this shift, and a valuable contribution to understanding the contemporary global food regime.’

Jan Selby - Professor of International Politics and Climate Change, University of Leeds