The Making of a Modern Kingdom - Essay Example

This is why Jordan Anne chose to study changes and globalization in Saudi Arabia. Even though globalization is a universal concept, Jordan focused on Saudi Arabia. In anthropology, a scientist cannot generalize concept because the data used must be empirical and the study must be verifiable. In her case study, Jordan portrays an anthropological overview of Saudi Arabia in the context of globalization. Readers get to understand the characteristics of anthropology by relating the cases study to the importance to the central ideas of anthropology.

She describes how Saudi Arabia rose to its current state as a top world player while less than three decades ago, the country had no education system, economic systems, or infrastructure. She discusses the Arabian Peninsula culture and provides a summary of the unique history and geography of these people. Readers learn about the changes in Saudi Arabia such as the shopping malls, traffic jams, and skyscrapers. Additionally, she makes readers understand the modernization process together with its effects on the people and why modernization succeeded.

She has provided these in her case study of a mini hospital in Saudi Arabia, education system and the oil industry. Those with little knowledge in anthropology are able to find realistic responses to the perceived situation in Saudi Arabia. The book also provides a multifaceted discussion of political organization, roles of religion, international politics, women positions, the oil industry and the 9/11 impacts to Saudi. The book helps readers understand the applicability of modernity to economic and political anthropology.

Jordan provides a good introduction into the field of anthropology as she provides clear case studies with empirical facts to demonstrate findings. After reviewing Jordan’s study and information, it is clear that Saudi Arabia has successfully achieved the title of a modern state. A look at the country’s past economic status reveals major improvements. The citizen’s lives have also improved in almost all sectors. This may be attributed to the discovery of oil as the country had limited resources before then.

However, Oil is not the only factor that influenced modernity in the country. The country’s formula for modernization included its crucial sectors such as education, politics and the health sector. After the discovery, almost every sector improved including the health sector, education, social and transportation sectors. In 1995, Saudi’s nominal GDP was 503 while in 2005, this increased to 1,153. GDP per capita in 1995 was SR 28,700 and the same increased to 51,000 in 2005. Within the ten year difference, the cost of living only rose by 0.1% from 0.6% to 0.7 %. This also indicates a lack of inflation in the country.

These data indicate a steady rising economy, which coincides with modernization and globalization. Globalization has encouraged entrance of new products and foreign traders, which in turn strengthen the financial markets of the country. Saudi Arabia has managed to maintain a sense of confidence and stability for its citizens and external relationships (Jordan 66). These characteristics are rare in the Middle East but the stability has contributed to the country’