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Approaching the Core? A two-stage analysis of the formulation and implementation of the Saudi and Kuwaiti visions

Al-Shammari, Razan LU (2025) STVM25 20251
Department of Political Science
Abstract
This paper examines how semi-peripheral states navigate their position between core and periphery through the lens of World-Systems Analysis (WSA) and use of soft and hard power strategies. WSA conceptualises the global economy as divided into core countries and peripheral countries. The former controls capital and high-value production, and the latter supplies raw materials and low-wage labour. Semi-peripheral states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait occupy an intermediate space: they possess some advanced industries but remain
structurally dependent on core powers.

This study focuses on three key strategies these states use to pursue upward mobility: economic diversification, technological-military advancement, and cultural diplomacy.... (More)
This paper examines how semi-peripheral states navigate their position between core and periphery through the lens of World-Systems Analysis (WSA) and use of soft and hard power strategies. WSA conceptualises the global economy as divided into core countries and peripheral countries. The former controls capital and high-value production, and the latter supplies raw materials and low-wage labour. Semi-peripheral states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait occupy an intermediate space: they possess some advanced industries but remain
structurally dependent on core powers.

This study focuses on three key strategies these states use to pursue upward mobility: economic diversification, technological-military advancement, and cultural diplomacy. The motivation for comparing Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lies in their visionary roadmaps, Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia and Vision 2035 of Kuwait, through which each government rhetorically constructs goals for achieving core-like influence. To understand how states could shift their position globally, a text analysis of both visions will be conducted to further conduct a process-tracing method to trace the implementation of the objectives. The findings suggest that Saudi Arabia has advanced more quickly, particularly in economic diversification and technological initiatives underpinned by strong top-down governance, a more hard power approach. Kuwait, in contrast, has placed greater weight on cultural diplomacy and incremental reforms, a more soft power approach. Both trajectories illustrate distinct pathways through which semi-peripheral states attempt to advance and approach becoming a core economy, but they suggest that one aspect, such as strong cultural influence, is not enough to shift a state’s position in the global world order. (Less)
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author
Al-Shammari, Razan LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVM25 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
World-Systems Analysis, Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030, Kuwait, Vision 2035, Soft Power, Hard Power.
language
English
id
9189778
date added to LUP
2025-08-08 11:32:00
date last changed
2025-08-08 11:32:00
@misc{9189778,
  abstract     = {{This paper examines how semi-peripheral states navigate their position between core and periphery through the lens of World-Systems Analysis (WSA) and use of soft and hard power strategies. WSA conceptualises the global economy as divided into core countries and peripheral countries. The former controls capital and high-value production, and the latter supplies raw materials and low-wage labour. Semi-peripheral states such as Saudi Arabia and Kuwait occupy an intermediate space: they possess some advanced industries but remain
structurally dependent on core powers.

This study focuses on three key strategies these states use to pursue upward mobility: economic diversification, technological-military advancement, and cultural diplomacy. The motivation for comparing Saudi Arabia and Kuwait lies in their visionary roadmaps, Vision 2030 of Saudi Arabia and Vision 2035 of Kuwait, through which each government rhetorically constructs goals for achieving core-like influence. To understand how states could shift their position globally, a text analysis of both visions will be conducted to further conduct a process-tracing method to trace the implementation of the objectives. The findings suggest that Saudi Arabia has advanced more quickly, particularly in economic diversification and technological initiatives underpinned by strong top-down governance, a more hard power approach. Kuwait, in contrast, has placed greater weight on cultural diplomacy and incremental reforms, a more soft power approach. Both trajectories illustrate distinct pathways through which semi-peripheral states attempt to advance and approach becoming a core economy, but they suggest that one aspect, such as strong cultural influence, is not enough to shift a state’s position in the global world order.}},
  author       = {{Al-Shammari, Razan}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Approaching the Core? A two-stage analysis of the formulation and implementation of the Saudi and Kuwaiti visions}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}