The image of Dubai as a consumer paradise has taken a denting over the past two years - not just because of the financial crisis. Whilst the country has always stood out as a bastion of liberalism within the region, there are signs that it is not entirely untouched by regional reactions to the nascent Arab democratic movements. These include strong action over civil society groups speaking up for civil liberties and rights, a new competitiveness over regional pre-eminence between the three strongest emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Qatar; and the stance taken by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) over the Arab Spring.
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