The Future

In this concluding chapter, an initial summary of the book’s findings is followed by an exploration of the future of state-society relations in Saudi Arabia. Challenges linked to changes in global oil markets, the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic, and the continuous repression of dissenting voices are explored to examine possible future developments in the country.

Women and Rights

Chapter Six demonstrates how the Saudi regime’s nominal promotion of women’s rights is largely manipulation rather than real empowerment. State policy to empower women goes hand in hand with serious human rights abuses and repression of feminists and other activists. This chapter discusses the emerging feminist scene in Saudi Arabia and the struggle of women for equality and basic rights.

Becoming Saudi Arabia

Chapter One is an historical introduction to the country, analyzing the major events that led to the formation of the modern Saudi state in 1932. It focuses on key moments before and since its founding which have helped to shape present-day Saudi Arabia.

Young and Restless

The reforms in Saudi Arabia are allegedly aimed at responding to the aspirations of the country’s youth. But the same reforms that were supposed to include them have in fact led to the exile and repression of critical voices. The chapter examines the growing Saudi diaspora at a time when the regime pledges to empower the youth cohort. It also explains how the diaspora uses social media to organize its activism.

The New Populist Nationalism

This chapter discusses the political shift in Saudi Arabia from religious nationalism and pan-Islamism—which played a central role in the consolidation of the Saudi state—to populist nationalism under the new crown prince. The shift is explained as part of the rise of the personality cult of Muhammad ibn Salman.

Apostles and Apologists

This chapter explores the power of the propaganda which promoted the rise of Saudi Arabia’s new crown prince, known to the world as MBS. It explains why many Western journalists and academics welcomed his ascent to the highest positions of government as signifying a new, more liberal era.

The Son King and the ‘Man of the Palace’

This chapter discusses the events surrounding and leading up to the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by operatives of the Saudi regime in the country’s consulate in Istanbul. It explains the killing of Khashoggi—an insider who knew too much—as a function of the new repression in Saudi Arabia. The chapter examines Khashoggi’s transformation from a regime propagandist to a persona non grata, explaining this change with reference to the abrupt rise of Crown Prince Muhammad ibn Salman and the shift in Saudi politics that it brought about.

Introduction

The introduction provides the historical and contemporary context of the book, going beyond merely a focus on religion, oil and monarchy. It also highlights how knowledge about Saudi Arabia is produced and disseminated. A theoretical section critically assesses the supposed ‘inevitability’ of repression as a prelude to reform and is followed by an explanation of the methodology and data used in the book.

The Sub-Nationals

While populist nationalism seeks to homogenize the nation, the practices of the Saudi state have in fact led to exclusion, marginalization and repression of political, religious and social diversity. This chapter exposes the contradictions in the Saudi national narrative and its dangers. It examines the position of groups such as those without tribal heritage, the Shia and non-national residents.