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Saudi Arabian State Modernization Policies versus Traditional Values

El-Sissi, Jasser LU (2019) CMEM01 20191
Centre for Middle Eastern Studies
Abstract
This thesis seeks to understand current Saudi Arabian political trajectories and recent reform initiatives, in relation to the traditionalist ideological roots and conservative Islamic legitimacy of the state. Methodologically based on a quantitative case study of the ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ reform project, the thesis discusses the limitations of democracy and secularization in relation to the pursuit of economic liberalization. Theoretically, the thesis takes a critical discussion of modernization theory as its point of departure, discussing its early formulations, its development and its relation to recent discussions on Islamism, post-Islamism and neo-modernization. In discussion of the Vision 2030 project in relation to current research on... (More)
This thesis seeks to understand current Saudi Arabian political trajectories and recent reform initiatives, in relation to the traditionalist ideological roots and conservative Islamic legitimacy of the state. Methodologically based on a quantitative case study of the ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ reform project, the thesis discusses the limitations of democracy and secularization in relation to the pursuit of economic liberalization. Theoretically, the thesis takes a critical discussion of modernization theory as its point of departure, discussing its early formulations, its development and its relation to recent discussions on Islamism, post-Islamism and neo-modernization. In discussion of the Vision 2030 project in relation to current research on Saudi Arabian politics and ideological orientation, the thesis explores the negotiations and contradictions inherent to the Saudi Arabian ‘modernization’ project, balancing economic reform, privatization and cultural initiatives with religious conservatism and political authoritarianism. The thesis concludes that any significant Saudi Arabian socio-political change would require democratic and secularizing efforts outside of current reform initiatives. In the final analysis, Vision 2030 comes across as a limited cultural and economic liberalization initiative, aimed at (and potentially successful in) strengthening state legitimacy, while preserving ideological traditionalism and political authoritarianism. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
El-Sissi, Jasser LU
supervisor
organization
course
CMEM01 20191
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Saudi Arabia, Modernity, Modernisation, Traditionalism, Privatisation, Development, Progress
language
English
id
8986952
date added to LUP
2019-08-28 16:26:48
date last changed
2019-08-28 16:26:48
@misc{8986952,
  abstract     = {{This thesis seeks to understand current Saudi Arabian political trajectories and recent reform initiatives, in relation to the traditionalist ideological roots and conservative Islamic legitimacy of the state. Methodologically based on a quantitative case study of the ‘Saudi Vision 2030’ reform project, the thesis discusses the limitations of democracy and secularization in relation to the pursuit of economic liberalization. Theoretically, the thesis takes a critical discussion of modernization theory as its point of departure, discussing its early formulations, its development and its relation to recent discussions on Islamism, post-Islamism and neo-modernization. In discussion of the Vision 2030 project in relation to current research on Saudi Arabian politics and ideological orientation, the thesis explores the negotiations and contradictions inherent to the Saudi Arabian ‘modernization’ project, balancing economic reform, privatization and cultural initiatives with religious conservatism and political authoritarianism. The thesis concludes that any significant Saudi Arabian socio-political change would require democratic and secularizing efforts outside of current reform initiatives. In the final analysis, Vision 2030 comes across as a limited cultural and economic liberalization initiative, aimed at (and potentially successful in) strengthening state legitimacy, while preserving ideological traditionalism and political authoritarianism.}},
  author       = {{El-Sissi, Jasser}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Saudi Arabian State Modernization Policies versus Traditional Values}},
  year         = {{2019}},
}