I've been in #Dubai for a week now, and it's clear to me that Dubai epitomizes many qualities that Europe and the US should already possess.
What makes Dubai stand out from the West?
Immaculate Roads: The roads here are smooth as silk, with five-lane highways free of potholes and patchy tarmac.
Exceptional Customer Service: The level of service here is outstanding. Waiters, taxi drivers, doctors, and other service providers are incredibly helpful, polite, and professional. The company handling our visa process and company setup manages all paperwork and dealings with agencies on our behalf, going above and beyond in ways unheard of in the West.
Healthy and Delicious Food: Dubai boasts numerous genuinely healthy restaurants and shops. By healthy, I mean no seed oils, chemicals, gluten, or dairy—just pure, nutritious food.
Impressive Malls: The malls here are pristine, spotless, and stay open until midnight.
Countless Activities: There are endless activities available throughout the city for both kids and adults.
Low Crime Rate: Crime is so low that it's surprising if anyone steals your belongings.
Self-Sufficiency: There's no sign of scroungers or drug addicts. Everyone is responsible for themselves, with no opportunity to live off the state.
High-Quality Education: The education system is excellent. Schools are independently rated every year, and strong KHDA ratings lead to higher enrollment fees, motivating teachers to deliver their best.
Efficiency in Services: The efficiency here is remarkable. For instance, I visited a hospital without health insurance, saw a doctor, visited the lab, and gave a blood test within 30 minutes. Two hours later, I had my results and a doctor's letter. For the visa process, a medical exam (x-ray and blood test) was done within 5 minutes, with results available within 10 minutes.
Ambitious Engineering: The engineering feats here are breathtaking—The Palms, the Burj Khalifa, the enormous shopping centers, the skytrain, the creek, the marina, the skyscrapers, the fountains, the ski slope, the roads, and even golf courses built in the desert. It's all quite spectacular.
Why is Dubai so successful?
Visionary Leadership: The Al Maktoum family, led by Sheikh Mohammed, are visionaries shaping Dubai in their image. Strong leadership has its benefits, as seen with Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, Javier Melei in Argentina, and the prime ministers of Singapore.
Wise Use of Oil Wealth: Although Dubai is not particularly oil-rich, they used what they had wisely to lay the foundations for finance, tourism, and real estate.
Low Tax Rates: The tax rate here is zero to super low. Staff are not overburdened, and service comes with a smile. This suggests that companies and staff are less burdened by the state, unlike in Europe, where excessive taxation weighs heavily on individuals and businesses.
Controlled Immigration: Immigration is tightly controlled. People come here to work and provide for themselves, contributing positively to society by playing by the rules.
Clear Laws and Consequences: The law is clearly defined, with serious consequences for breaking it.
Westernization: Dubai is gradually opening up and becoming more "western," while Western societies are becoming more "eastern" (socialism/communism).
PS: Dubai isn't perfect. Nowhere is, but at least it's moving in the right direction.
In contrast: The political class in the West often prioritizes votes and promotions over the welfare of the country. Excessive welfare, unchecked immigration, high taxes, and excessive control burden the state's inhabitants. They use fiat money to maintain power, hollowing out society in the process.
