Arab Uprising that Didn't Reach Saudi Arabia - Essay Example

Why didn’t the Arab Uprisings reach Saudi Arabia? due: Arab uprising refers to the unfolding of a solitary, combined narrative of objection with shared villains and heroes. In addition, it means a deeply felt feeling of shared destiny and common stakes1. The Arab uprising occurred in the era of Arab Spring in which the flame of revolutionary ran across the Arab world in 2011. This paper will discuss the question ‘why didn’t the Arab uprisings reach Saudi Arabia?’ The governments in the Arab world initiated renegotiations to the ruling agreement towards the end of 1970s. The negotiations were as a result of increased oil prices first in 1973 and then in 1979where the cost of oil dropped at a fast rate. The Arab nations benefited from the high cost of oil as well as the non-producers and producers. The oil producers negotiated the ruling comprehension of the oil-poor Arab states through loans and grants. In addition, they gave employment opportunities to the citizens of the less-fortunate Arab state. In 1980, the oil prices began to fall rapidly that forced the governments to make cutbacks2. There are two factors that deteriorated the situation include heavy borrowing during the period the interest rates were low and continued loans to settle the debt service. In addition, the states borrowed more money to preserve what they could salvage of their worn out ruling bargain3. The second factor is that the times were evolving, and the existing economic paradigm changed. The state-guided growth was replaced by the neoliberalism4. In the regime of neoliberalism, the role of the state is reduced. In the event of the debt crisis, the Arab states applied for debt relief from international lenders, for instance, the World Bank and the IMF. The money came at a price because the nations had to fulfil the demands of the lenders. The demands included liberal trade, elimination of price control, balancing budgets and privatization of public business. In addition, the lenders called for the end of across-the-board subsidies on consumer items and reduction of state expenses5. A perfect example of neoliberal policy is in the case of Egypt. In December 1976, Egypt negotiated a $450 million credit with the IMF. The IMF also gave Egypt the capital worth $12 billion to defer in foreign debt. As a result, Egypt commodity supports worth $123 million and direct subsidies that amounted to $64 million. These actions led to two days of bloody violence that left twelve hundred arrested and one hundred protestors died. The IMF attempted to impose terms on loan guarantees and loans that resulted in riots in other countries. The countries included Jordan (1989 and 1996), Tunisia (1984), Algeria (1988), Lebanon (1987) and Morocco (1983)6. The most recent revolt referred to as the Arab Spring happened in 2011. It involved such countries as Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt and Libya. The uprising was brought about by diplomatic, social, political, economic, and juridical difficulties7. These problems resulted in anger across the Arab states and erupted in the winter and spring of 20118. The Arab countries suffered economic stagnation because it lagged behind as other countries evolved. The other states had evolved from agrarian to industrial and then to information economies. The other element that ignited the Arab Spring is politics. Ahead of 2011 the Middle East was a democratic desert with few states such as Palestinian, Iraq and Lebanon claiming democracy. The other fact that promoted the uprising is that people were oppressed, but it was viewed as being submissive9. The autocratic method of ruling overburdened the populations with misery through promoting, condoning sweeping corruption. In addition, the sketchy legal procedures discouraged and scared authorized investors. In this case, the foreign development and investment was taken over by individuals who exploited the region in collaboration with the semi-criminal elect. The impact was unemployment among the youth, economic liabilities, underemployment, low degree of international trade and excessive reliance on public sector for job opportunities. In addition, the wealthy gap widened minimal direct foreign investment beyond the energy sector and inadequate non-energy exports. The governments gave a deaf ear to its population’s grievances and did nothing to lessen their suffering10. Having looked at the problems that ignited revolts in Arab states, Saudi Arabia is distinct because it does not share the same history. The reason Saudi Arabia is not part of the Arab uprising can associate with its governance. There are two images of Saudi political systems that exist together. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a monolithic country where power is in the hands of the royal family. The kingdom operates under authoritative government and strict customary rules11. The government policy aims to promote economic diversification as the kingdom is highly dependent on oil. The kingdom accounts for a third of discovered world oil reserves and is capable of exploiting the resource at low cost. The Saudi Arabia is not affected by the decline in oil costs although it is the main source of revenue. It is because the kingdom is not indebted to the IMF; therefore, it is not under any obligation to comply with their demands12. The other fact that may have prevented the Arab uprising in Saudi Arabia is the national economic planning. Its economic growth path is distinct by the long-established ‘rentier’ economy. In this concept, the government seek to increase the revenue from natural resource that is oil and give out the revenue to different parts of the population. Therefore, Saudi Arabia does not apply taxes on its citizens. The kingdom has applied the concept of ‘rentier’ economy has enabled it to gain support from the population. As a result, a balanced relationship emerges where each party responds to the needs of the other. The other element that may have prevented the Kingdom to be part of the uprisings is the new sense of realism among the population, policy makers and the private sector. The Saudi Arabia government is ready to solve pressing difficulties and is determined to make domestic changes and reforms. The Saudi Arabia has undertaken a reform package that began in mid-1990s. An example the reforms are the holding of municipal elections, commission of enhancement of virtue and elimination of vice. In addition, the reforms are seen in the relaxed media censorship, suppress the power of its religious policy and modernised educational curriculum. The Saudi Arabia has executed ‘evolutionary’ change that enhances modernisation and stability13.It is worth to note that the kingdom does not suffer from extreme poverty. It is because the Saudi Arabia is based on the social and cultural traditions of the country that fight for strong family unity. The strong family solidarity extends from the nuclear family to extended family and extends to the tribal boundaries in the remote areas. The aspect of unity assists in identifying and safeguarding the parts that are at risk of a need, poverty, young, orphans and the elderly. The government has also incorporated women in the education system. It promotes women empowerment and encourages Saudi females to join the labour force14. In addition, the Saudi government takes good care of its citizens. In the Kingdom, most of the social services are free and include health services, utilities and education15. Moreover, Saudi Arabia has a strong national security that enhances military and economic security. For stability in the Kingdom, King Abdullah gave a new succession law that rectified the 1992 basic law through Allegiance Commission. The new laws lay the foundation of selecting a king from among various candidates and brings consensus in king’s succession. The Allegiance Commission is in charge of selecting a crown prince and a king in case of incapacitation or death of either. The procedure helps to alleviate political power tension within the royal family and, therefore, promote stability in the kingdom. On the other hand, gas and oil earnings give the Kingdom a lot of financial advantages. In addition, the vast huge hydrocarbon reserves generate much money for the kingdom16. For instance, in case of an opposition, the government can give economic incentives to disappointed population and eliminate the opposition. In addition, the Saudi Arabia position gives it a greater international, political, media support and military intervention to safeguard their territory17. All in all, the Arab uprisings did not reach Saudi Arabia because of the condition of its economy. The country is not in debt to international lenders unlike in the case of Tunisia and Egypt. The immense difficulties of uncompetitive economies, underemployment and debts make a state vulnerable. The international help offered by the industrialised financial institutions and countries come with neoliberal reforms that cause the uprisings. From this perspective, the Saudi Arabia is debt free, therefore, not bound by neoliberal reforms. The Saudi Arabia succeeded to prevent the Arab uprising from getting into their territory through lavish public spending18. Through the incentives, the government can motivate the anguished population hence prevent the revolts. In addition, the government embraced ‘revolutionary’ change where it foresaw reforms that were critical for the welfare of the kingdom. For example, reforms in the education curriculum made it possible for the youth to get education and hence prepare them for employment. Furthermore, taking care of the old, young and poor in the society helped to reduce the poverty level in Saudi Arabia. Likewise, Saudi Arabia is governed by a monarch that enabled it to resist the revolution. It is because the royal autocracies are innately more flexible compared to authoritarian republics. The reason is that the royal autocracies are grounded in their institutional framework and cultural background. The monarchical dictatorship in Middle East gets support from foreign patronage, cross-cutting coalitions and hydrocarbon wealth. Bibliography Achcar, Gilbert. People Want: A Radical Exploration of the Arab Uprising. Univ of California Press, 2013. Brichs, Ferran Izquierdo, ed. 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A. 2010. The Saudi Arabian economy. New York: Springer. Rosenberg, Jerry Martin. 2009. The rebirth of the Middle East. Lanham: Hamilton Books. Sadiki, Larbi, ed. Routledge Handbook of the Arab Spring: Rethinking Democratization. Routledge, 2014. Sakr, Rita. 2013. Anticipating the 2011 Arab uprisings revolutionary literatures and political geographies. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. http://www.palgraveconnect.com/doifinder/10.1057/9781137294739. Read More