The dependence of development on exploitation continues today as a way for developing nations to rapidly ‘ modernize ’ by following a capitalist path of development laid out by Western nations , particularly the United States . 6 Nations in the Global North have emerged as global superpowers and have paved the way to modernization through established modes of exploitation . Propped up by organizations like the World Bank and the IMF , they lock developing nations - in search of the promise of a modernized nation that is economically sound , industrially powerful and socially self-sufficient - into devastating cycles of debt . 7 In the age of globalization , this mode of development has spread far beyond the borders of Western nations to many Middle Eastern countries , who , in a rush to keep up with global superpowers , have jumped at the chance to be oppressors through the formation of private enterprise and the encouragement of capitalist endeavors . In keeping with the rush to appear modernized , countries of the Middle East have embraced futuristic aesthetics and awe-inspiring projects . However , this modernization is only surface deep . Exploitative conditions for workers in the exploding economies of the Global South , like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia , are well documented , and though some steps have been taken to alleviate the conditions of workers , abuses
8 , 9 , 10 , 11 continue regularly . In much the same way that Kuwait , “ sought to project the spatial and economic bases ” of a modern nation through architecture onto the world in the early 70s during the Gulf construction boom , Dubai uses architecture as a means to project its vision of the future onto the world .
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This projection has serious costs . Just this year VICE News released video footage showing migrant workers living in inhumane conditions while constructing a Trump International Golf Club in Dubai . Nearby in Abu Dhabi , at the construction site of a new cultural hub for the U . A . E ., working conditions for migrants have been compared “ to an open prison .” 13 In Qatar , there have been numerous outcries over human rights violations following various investigations into the ongoing construction of venues for the upcoming World Cup tournament in 2022 . The Khalifa International Stadium in Doha and the surrounding sports complex , is currently being renovated for the event , and reports of human rights violations from Amnesty International are rampant . The whole situation in Qatar is appalling , but it ’ s even more underhanded if you