Transformation of Social Structure in Saudi Arabia: From Chieftaincy to Modern State

Abstract

This thesis, Transformation of Social Structure in Saudi Arabia: From Chieftaincy to Modern State examines how evolving social structures in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia interact with political authority to shape prospects for democratization versus authoritarian resilience . The central research question asks: To what extent can social change in Saudi Arabia impact the country’s democratic development or reinforce authoritarianism? Guided by structuralist and Diamond Society theoretical frameworks, the study employs a predominantly qualitative approach—content analysis of scholarly literature, legal documents, and archival materials—complemented by quantitative statistics from Saudi government sources.

Chapter 1 reviews preconditions for democracy, highlighting the role of a robust middle class, industrialization, and open social mobility. Chapter 2 presents a socio-historical case study: the fragmentation of tribal Najd, the ideological-political fusion of Wahhabism under the Al Saud, the emergence of a rentier state, and successive reform agendas from Ibn Saud through King Abdullah. Chapter 3 analyzes recent transformations under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030, documenting the rise of a young, reform-oriented middle class, the weakening of tribal and clerical intermediaries, and the introduction of e-governance and private-sector employment drives . Applying Diamond Society Theory, the work demonstrates that, despite significant socio-economic diversification and expanded social freedoms, political power remains tightly centralized within the monarchy, limiting democratic institutionalization.

The thesis concludes that while Vision 2030 has spearheaded notable social and economic change, entrenched authoritarian structures and the monarchy’s monopolization of legitimacy pose formidable barriers to full democratization. Future trajectories will hinge on the evolving balance between the empowered middle class and the royal authority.