Background Information
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was established in 1932, by a royal decree. Before this, the area encompassed by the kingdom was a patchwork of small, feudal kingdoms and emirates. Given the arid nature of the peninsula, the majority of these regions filled the role of bedouin states; offering small snippets of what could have been a powerful regional empire.
Through much of the 19th century, various relations were established between the various tribes and political units that dotted the region. This same time period saw the rise of powerful families in Saudi Arabia, namely Al Saud and Al Rashid. The strength of these tribes allowed them to take control of specific regions, and soon the power of the two families eclipsed that of the reigning Ottoman Empire.
Rise of the Al Saud
It was the Al Saud that played a vital role in the formation of modern-day Saudi Arabia. In 1902, Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman, also known as Ibn Saud, re-established his family’s power in the region and began the process of solidifying control over the various feuding tribes that had occupied the peninsula for centuries.
By 1919, Ibn Saud had achieved a great deal of success in his efforts, controlling much of central and eastern Arabia and establishing himself as the leader of the Al Saud. To solidify his power, Ibn Saud gained the support of the Bedouins in the region. In 1925, after a series of wars and skirmishes, he managed to declare himself the king of Nejd (the heart of the modern Saudi state) and conquered the entirety of the Arabian Peninsula in 1932.
Formation of the Kingdom
On 23 September 1932, Ibn Saud declared the establishment of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, unifying the remaining independent pockets of the peninsula under one banner. It was at this same time that the modern-day borders of Saudi Arabia were established; a geographic boundary that has remained unchanged since its inception.
The First Saudi State was incredibly successful in its first few years of existence, greatly increasing its internal infrastructure and economic output. Ibn Saud also managed to solidify relations with the global powers of the time, namely the United Kingdom and the United States. This successful foreign outreach enabled Saudi Arabia to gain access to the latest military technology; a trait that would serve the kingdom well throughout its history.
Introduction of Sharia Law
The Kingdom later established an official political framework centered around a strict interpretation of Islamic law, known as Sharia. This served to solidify ties between the government and the people as well as create a unified set of laws and regulations. The Sharia framework was later codified into the country’s 1990 Basic Law, which established the country’s current form of government and outlined the monarch’s role in civic affairs.
Economic Boom
Though Saudi Arabia has suffered economic hardship in the past, since the discovery of oil reserves in the 1930s, the kingdom has experienced a period of tremendous economic growth and development. Oil has served as a major source of income for the country, allowing it to invest in various projects related to infrastructure and development, as well as pursue ambitious foreign policy objectives.
Role of the Monarch
Since the formation of the Kingdom, executive power in Saudi Arabia has been held by the ruling monarchy. This system has been largely stable since it was first established, though the modern role of the monarchy has shifted from that of a traditional feudal king to more of a constitutional monarch with limited powers.
Today, the king of Saudi Arabia remains the head of state but has relinquished certain powers to the Council of Ministers. The king, however, still holds considerable power over foreign affairs, religious policy, and military strategies.
Geographic Isolation
The remote location of Saudi Arabia, coupled with the kingdom’s insistence on a conservative interpretation of Islamic law, have largely isolated the state from the outside world. While this has enabled Saudi Arabia to maintain a certain degree of cultural and religious autonomy, it has proven to be a hindrance to reforms that would enable the kingdom to join the international community.
Political Landscape
Despite its commitment to a more traditional form of government, Saudi Arabia has undergone various social and political reforms since the country’s inception. The introduction of universal suffrage in 2005, though limited in scope, has allowed Saudi citizens more freedom to express themselves politically. The kingdom has also held talks with various other nations in the region, allowing for diplomatic ties to be strengthened.
Full Social and Economic Participation of Women
Though women continue to be unable to vote or drive, recent reforms have allowed them to participate in the economy and society to a greater extent. In 2017, women were first allowed to run for local office in the municipal elections. Moreover, many restrictions placed on women have been gradually lifted, such as the allowing of access to some jobs previously closed to women, and allowing women to travel without a male guardian.
Increased Western Influence
The rise of globalism has enabled Saudi Arabia to tap into the wealth of knowledge and resources that the outside world has to offer. The country has seen the emergence of fast-food chains, tech firms, and international brands, while at the same time maintaining its commitment to Islamic principles.
As a result, Saudi Arabia has become a more viable target for investment and has seen an influx of foreign talent that has enabled the kingdom to further its development and modernization programs.
Cultural Preservation
Saudi Arabia is heavily committed to the preservation of its cultural and religious heritage. This is evident in the kingdom’s refusal to embrace certain aspects of globalization, such as certain types of media and entertainment, which have been deemed to be morally inappropriate from an Islamic point of view.
Regional Influence
The kingdom has also worked hard to strengthen its position in the international community. It is now a powerful regional player and has become an advocate for various issues in the Middle East, such as peace in the region and improved economic conditions.
Saudi Arabia has also taken the lead role in the formation of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC, which consists of six member states and has served to increase regional cooperation.
Expansionist Policies
In recent years, the kingdom has made attempts to expand its influence beyond its own borders. Through a series of investment and development projects, Saudi Arabia has attempted to gain a foothold in various African nations and has made overtures towards East and South Asia as well.
This is part of an effort to diversify the nation’s economy, moving away from its reliance on oil and toward a more services based economy. The kingdom has also taken steps to reduce its own oil production in favor of investment in renewable energy projects.
Enormous Social Change
In the past 20 years, Saudi Arabia has undergone enormous social change; from the introduction of modern infrastructure, to the improvement of education and healthcare systems, to the expansion of the kingdom’s influence, the country has come a long way since its formation.
Recent reforms, such as allowing women to take part in the economy and society to a greater extent, have seen Saudi Arabia become more open to foreign investment and reduced its reliance on oil. As the country continues to evolve and move into the 21st century, it will remain an important player in the worldwide geopolitical landscape.
