The happiness level of the people of a country is often considered as one of the yardsticks to measure the extent of welfare and progress of the nation. If the majority of the population is satisfied with their government’s policies and programmes, it is a proof of good governance.
A recent study, conducted by the Social and Economic Survey Research Institute (SESRI) at Qatar University, found that as many as 98 percent of Qatari nationals are satisfied with the performance of the government during the ongoing siege and 88 percent believe that Qatar can survive the crisis for many years.
The survey showed that the citizens’ expectation with regard to the future of business and trade in Qatar has improved to reach a whopping 96 percent post-siege, which was 72 percent prior to the blockade.
The finding of the survey is a testament to the ability and preparedness of the government in handling the crisis and turning it to the benefit of the people of the country. Under the visionary leadership of the Emir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Qatari authorities left no stone unturned in tackling and coming out unscathed from the nefarious intentions of the blockading countries. The survey results show that the people of the country stand together with the government in deciding the future course of their journey to a developed and welfare state.
The Qatari citizens expressed their views on the ramifications of the siege from a legal, political, economic and social perspective and they are happy that the measures taken by the government are effective in alleviating the impact of the blockade.
The study noted that 70 percent of the citizens were not able to see their relatives in the neighbouring states since the beginning of the blockade. It further states that 10 percent people could not in any way connect to their loved ones in the siege countries, which reflects the negative impact of the blockade on social and familial relations. This played a major role in destroying social harmony and destabilising relations. Qatar has been raising this gross human rights violation in several international forums in a bid to save the citizens from this predicament so that they can meet and be connected with their divided family members.
If the policies and actions of a government is transparent, follows the rule of law, responsive, inclusive, effective, efficient and participatory, it is considered a good governance. The Qatari authorities deserve applause in all these aspects of governance. The entire population of the country is happy that their government is rising to the occasion and ensuring that the daily life of the people is not affected by the crisis.
