Government in Saudi Arabia Keep in Mind

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Government in Saudi Arabia

Keep in Mind • • How are the USA and Saudi Arabia similar? How are they different? How can they cooperate to solve problems? In what areas do they compete?

Arabia Felix • Inhabited by desert nomads and traders, the Romans took control in the 100’s AD but soon left. • Trade in frankincense made Arabians very wealthy and happy, hence “Felix”

Islamic Conquest • In 622 CE, Muhammad (pbuh) received the Quran from Allah. By 630 CE (year 8 on the Islamic calendar), an Islamic Empire began to rapidly expand. • The Islamic empire swept across Africa into Spain, greatly contributing to Spanish culture and learning (al-godon, al-gebra, Andalusian flamenco)

Ottoman Arabia • Turks from Central Asia conquered the Byzantine Empire, Syria, Arabia and Egypt about the 1100’s. • Arabs consider this time a dark era, where tribal factions decayed a once proud culture • With the help of the British, Abdul Aziz al-Saud rebelled against the Ottomans during World War I, and founded Saudi Arabia in 1932

Basic Law of 1992 • By royal decree, the Constitution of Saudi Arabia is the Holy Quran, the Sunnah and Hadiths of the prophet Muhammad (pbuh) • Saudi Arabia is an Absolute Monarchy • Basic Law serves as government outline • 83 Articles include. . – Article 5 Only sons of Abdul Aziz and their descendants may be king, each kind may pick their successor from the group (he had 37 sons from 16 wives. – Article 9 requires Saudi families to be Muslim – Article 14 gives profits from all natural resources to state – Article 24 commits state to protect and maintain Holy Places

Basic Law of 1992 ctd – Article 32 state to limit/prevent pollution – Articles 39&40 state to monitor speech and communication to enforce Islamic values – Article 43 Saudi subjects allowed direct appeal to King for justice – Article 45 establishes Ulema (Islamic scholars) as final judicial authority under King – Article 57 allows King to dissolve Royal Council at his discretion

Current Structure • Absolute Monarchy over 13 provinces • Consultative Council of 150 appointed members. Half of these are to be eventually elected, when the King decides it’s ok. • No political parties, though different Islamic sects (Wahhabi Sunnis most powerful, 60 others exist in the Kingdom) exert influence at the Royal Palace

Map of Saudi Arabia

Emigration and Immigration Issues • Many upper and middle class Saudis leave the Kingdom for work and education in Europe and the USA. • Saudi Gov. has imported nearly 5 million workers, from engineers to house maids. – Abuse/rape of female workers has led to strict hiring procedures for house workers – Except for highly skilled workers, all guest workers must be Muslim

Saudi-US Economic Comparision • Saudi Arabia • State controlled economy of 564 billion USD/year • Average annual gross income $23, 200 – 52 nd worldwide • 14 -17% unemployment rate • Petroleum industry dominates exports ($203 billion in sales 2007) • Provides 17 % of US oil, 16 % of Japanese oil • Ave month net teacher salary $2100 • USA • Free Market Economy of 13. 84 trillion USD/yr • Average annual gross income $42028 (USD) – 1 st of 216 states and territories worldwide • 4. 6% unemployment rate • 49% of US exports are capital goods like manufacturing machinery • Ave month net teacher salary $4055

Cooperation and Competition • What are 3 areas in which the United States and Saudi Arabia can cooperate to solve mutual problems? • What are 3 areas in which it makes sense for the United States to compete with Saudi Arabia, and vice versa?

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