Background Information
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Arabian Peninsula, located in the Middle East region. It has a population of over 34 million people and is an absolute monarchy ruled by King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. Following the rule of a series of Saudi kings, current king Salman has been re-elected to power in 2021. With its vast natural resources, Saudi Arabia has been the world’s top oil exporter, and its economy is heavily concentrated around the oil industry. The country is also a major regional political power and has been involved in numerous military operations in the region, including a 2003 invasion of neighboring Iraq.
In recent years, Saudi Arabia has come under increasing scrutiny for human rights abuses, notably the death sentence given to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2020. This incident sparked public outrage and led to greater international scrutiny of the country’s domestic policies. Saudi Arabia has also been criticized in the past for the way it has treated women, with international human rights groups calling for an end to the country’s system of male guardianship.
Political Future of the Kingdom
The current Saudi ruling family has been in power since 1932, and some political analysts believe the country remains a monarchy due to the popularity of the current king, Salman bin Abdlaziz Al Saud. The most recent parliamentary elections for the country were held in 2015, with the next elections set for 2021.
However, while King Salman enjoys a high level of popularity within the country, there have been increasing calls for more democrcatic reform within Saudi Arabia. Opposition groups have long called for greater citizen participation in the decision-making process, and for the establishment of a constitutional monarchy in the country.
Socioeconomic Development
Saudi Arabia’s economy is largely concentrated around the oil industry, which accounts for over 70 percent of the country’s GDP. Despite this, the country has experienced considerable economic diversification over the years, with major sectors such as tourism, health, and education growing in importance.
To further spur economic development, the government has implemented a series of economic reform plans, such as Vision 2030, which is designed to help Saudi Arabia reduce its reliance on the oil industry. As part of the plan, the government is investing heavily in renewable energy sources as well as investing in technology and creating jobs in sectors outside the oil industry.
Living Conditions
Despite some progress towards economic diversification, Saudi Arabia remains a predominantly poor country, with the majority of the population living in poverty. This is due to a range of issues, including high unemployment, a lack of access to social services and a widening wealth gap between the rich and poor.
A significant portion of the population also lacks access to basic services such as healthcare and education. To address this, the government has implemented a number of free healthcare initiatives as well as investing in education, although access to these resources is still not widely available.
What the Experts Say
Experts agree that, while progress has been made towards improving the living standards in Saudi Arabia, more needs to be done to address underlying issues such as poverty and inequality. A consensus among experts is that the government needs to take more concrete steps to address socio-economic problems in the country, such as increasing access to social services and creating job opportunities for the poor.
In addition, experts argue that a more democratic system of government could help reduce inequalities within Saudi Arabia and bring greater stability to the region.
Women’s Rights
Women still remain largely marginalized in Saudi Arabia, with gender-based discrimination still being a major issue in the country. In 2018, Saudi Arabia relaxed its restrictions on women’s rights, allowing them to legally drive and travel without the permission of male guardians.
However, there is still much progress needed in the area of women’s rights. Activists have long lobbied for greater equality and protection of women in Saudi Arabia, including improved access to education. Additionally, some are calling for an end to the country’s system of male guardianship, which requires women to obtain permission from a male family member for everyday activities.
Foreign Relations
Saudi Arabia continues to enjoy strong ties with its western allies, including the United States. Furthermore, the country has sought to build closer relations with India and China in recent years, with these countries now being Saudi Arabia’s major trading partners.
At the same time, however, the country has a tense relationship with its regional rival, Iran. Iran is widely seen as a threat to Saudi Arabia’s regional and economic interests, with the country supporting armed rebel groups throughout the Middle East. This has led to several clashes between Saudi forces and Iranian-backed groups, with the Saudi government launching a number of military operations in the region in recent years.
Cultural Influence
Saudi Arabia remains the cultural and religious heart of the Arab world. Islam is the official religion of the country and the sharia law is strictly enforced in practice. This has led to a culture of self-censorship among the country’s citizens, particularly for those in the media.
Furthermore, the country’s strict laws have caused it to come under international criticism on numerous occasions. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has come under fire for its treatment of prisoners, its restrictions on free speech, and its human rights record. Despite this, the country enjoys a high degree of religious conservatism and remains extremely influential in the region.
Impact on Global Politics
Saudi Arabia has been a major player in the Middle East for decades, and it continues to exert considerable influence on various regional issues. The country has been involved in several military conflicts in the past, notably in Yemen in 2015. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the region has both positive and negative impacts, and it has become a major force in international politics.
The country has also been at the center of various diplomatic disputes between the US and Iran, with both countries attempting to use Saudi Arabia as a tool in their standoff. This diplomatic struggle is set to continue in the years to come, and the country will remain an important part of the global political order.
Proposed Reforms
Several activists and experts have proposed reforms to bring more freedom and democracy to Saudi Arabia. These include reducing state censorship, granting more freedom to political opposition groups, and introducing measures to increase gender equality.
Recent reforms, such as Vision 2030, have been introduced to stimulate economic development. However, critics argue that the country needs to undertake deeper structural reforms to bring widespread socio-economic change and to ensure that the country’s citizens have a greater say in their own governance.
Modernizations Efforts
The government of Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in modernizing the country, particularly in the form of infrastructure improvements. This has included the construction of several major airports, roads, and railways in recent years, and the country has also made progress in its communications sector, with the launch of the Saudi 5G network.
The government has also implemented sweeping education reforms, including opening its first public university in 2020. These reforms are aimed at increasing access to education and preparing the country for the digital economy.
Religious Freedom
Freedom of religion remains a major issue in Saudi Arabia, with followers of Islam making up over 90 percent of the country’s population. The government is extremely strict when it comes to religious freedom and practices, and restrictions have been put in place to prevent other religions from being practiced publically.
In recent years, however, there has been some progress in this area, with the government easing restrictions on the construction of certain religious sites. This has been welcomed by some organizations, although they still argue that religious freedom needs to be further improved for the country to be considered a truly modern nation.
