Monitoring the bureaucracy in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed oversees a cadre of undercover mystery shoppers…They pose as prickly members of the public seeking the government's help.  Their reports are instrumental in firings and promotions.  No bureaucrat can be sure the demanding customer across the counter isn't secretly reporting to the boss.  Once in a while, Sheikh Mohammed turns up at 7:30 on surprise inspections.  He's been known to fire late-arriving managers on the spot. 

That is from Jim Krane's fascinating City of Gold: Dubai and the Dream of Capitalism.  This is pretty clearly the best book on Dubai.  It has an insider's perspective but is also analytical.  Recommended