Abstract
Saudi Arabia and the Path to Political Change discusses a significant issue that until now has received only scant academic attention. Mark Thompson builds on his previous work published in Journal of Arabian Studies to delve into the national dialogue process and its impact on the larger sociopolitical change. In that respect, this is a significant work and makes an important contribution as the author has spent nearly a decade in the kingdom teaching and researching. Hence, the book is rooted in comprehensive research conducted over a period of time, bringing with it the richness of academic rigor and participant observation. Saudi Arabia has witnessed, particularly under the leadership of King Abdullah, numerous steps toward reform which have the potential for deep-rooted sociopolitical change.
The author delves into the significant aspect of the role of dialogue and civil society as they are understood in Saudi context both within the regime and among the larger public including the liberals, conservatives, and Shias. The book discusses the national dialogue initiative as it unfolded in 2003 under the tutelage of the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue (KACND), looks into its progress, highlights the opinion among official circles and various groups including the conservative ulema and dissident voices and assesses its impact. Thompson attempts to understand the “changing nature of Saudi politics and Saudi state” and examines the prevailing idea that it is transforming from a patrimonial/patriarchal state into one based in Gramsian ideological hegemony (p. 2). Toward this endeavor author has conducted nearly 120 personal interviews, organized eight focus groups and used hitherto unknown primary documents.
The book is well structured into 10 chapters. The first discusses the nature of the state laying down the foundation while the second goes into the trajectories of reforms and various state and non-state actors and their key constituencies putting to test questions regarding the stability and sustainability of the state. In the third chapter, the author discusses the genesis of the national dialogue and the road map toward the foundation of the KACND that envisaged creating “a constructive dialogue between the state and disparate sections of society” (p. 56). It then examines the issues covered by the national dialogue meetings and discussions and debates it generated in the media and the larger society in the next three chapters. It highlights the steps taken by KACND such as cultural dialogue, and training programs to enhance the impact of the process. Further, the author points to the disappointments among many sections regarding its progress, as many of his interviewees noted that hopes generated initially have largely been belied.
The next three chapters discuss three most important sociopolitical issues facing Saudi Arabia today, namely, sectarianism, conditions of women and issues pertaining to the youth. The chapter on sectarianism highlights the recognition on part of the regime to create more inclusive social, economic, and political atmosphere for the Shias, Ismailis, and other non-Wahhabi denominations. It also takes into account the views of representatives and leaders of these groups who are pragmatic in their approach, and wish for freedom of livelihood and of religious and cultural practices. Thompson articulates that the national dialogue recognizes the problem of sectarianism and wishes to foster greater confidence among various groups toward the state or the al-Saud leadership. He examines the condition of women and their issues, and how the KACND having a women center focuses on problems faced by Saudi women, their legal status and sociopolitical conditions. The idea that the condition of women should be understood within the local Arab–tribal–Islamic context as articulated by many Saudi women, however, does not gel with prevalent gendered discourses in the kingdom. Nevertheless, it highlights that many, particularly in the Western media, have limited idea about the problems facing Saudi women as they fight greater daily battles than driving as articulated by former deputy Minister of Education Norah al-Fayez.
Saudi youth and their problems seldom get enough attentions in academic writings, though most recognize that it is an important issue facing Saudi Arabia and Thompson attends to the qualitative aspect of the problem. Demographic dividend on account of a huge youthful population can become a burden if it is not handled with care and attention and if the overhaul of the education system set in motion by Abdullah is not pursued with the same vigor. Nevertheless, Thompson articulates that the national dialogue aims to spread the culture of discussion and debate toward absorbing the frustration among the youth that pushes them to “loathed” activities including drug addiction, drifting, etc. In the final chapter, he assesses the impact of the national dialogue and concludes: “An unintended consequence of the National Dialogue process has been the establishment of new cross-constituency and inter-sectarian connection across Saudi Arabia” (p. 217). This perhaps sums up the achievement of the national dialogue process both in its physical and philosophical aspects.
Contemporary Saudi Arabia has witnessed several changes as a consequence of top-to-bottom reforms that have led to evolution of the society toward a collective identity and recognition of its diversity and Mark Thompson chronicles this sociopolitical evolution within the framework of the Gramsian idea of ideological hegemony and evolution of state. In the process, he articulates that the national dialogue process has been able to expand the public sphere in the kingdom by promoting the ethos of dialogue. It is indeed a significant addition to the existing literature on Saudi Arabia and its political evolution.
Though well-articulated and rooted in research, the narrative could have been more lucid and repetitions avoided. Saudi Arabia and the Path to Political Change is a valuable contribution and comes as a breath of fresh air in the array of literature produced on the subject based on secondary resources. The book is recommended for students, researchers, practitioners and experts interested in the Gulf and Arab societies and politics, but it would be a difficult read for uninitiated and general readers. Even academic audience would need some understanding of the domestic Saudi developments and evolution of the state and society to fully appreciate the in-depth analysis.