Political Reforms in Saudi Arabia - Annotated Bibliography Example

Running head: Public Policy Name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lecturer xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Albassam, B., (2011). Political Reforms in Saudi Arabia: Necessity or Luxury? Middle East Studies Online Journal, vol.3 (6), pp. 175-197 The author engages the reader of the article in a critical discourse concerning the political reforms in Saudi. While the paper argues that the alleged reforms are empty reforms that jeopardize the country, the author, a PHD candidate in Public Administration, first admits to the fact that the Saudi rules have enacted quite a number of rules. This head-on approach arouses the intuition of the reader engaging the approach. By discussing the current political and reforms undertaken, there is ground to analyze the reforms. The current political system key highlight is the absence of the constitution and public participation in leadership. The author juxtaposes the reasons why there is need for reforms and the reasons for the absence of the constitution and public participation. The paper argues that there is need to protect the country from instability and to enhance top-level governance. Additionally, reforms are vital to guide transfer of power between royal generations. There are as well reasons hindering reforms: the Quran and Sunah regard as constitution and the royal family’s reluctance to reforms. Reforms that were intended to increase transparency, public participation and political decentralization have failed to deliver results for reasons that are linked with the royal family. Citing corruption, Saudi had a 3.5 index. Saudi is highly stable but needs sustainability and reforms provides for this. Is it a need or a luxury? The answer to this as deduced from the paper is relative to who answers: either the political royal class or the Saudi public. Albadi, F. (2007), Fiscal Decentralization in Developing Countries: A Proposed Framework for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A Research Paper prepared for the 27th International Congress, 9-14th July, 2007, Abu Dhabi, UAE The author is motivated by the global interest in fiscal decentralization and the current reforms in Saudi Arabian political, economic and administrative platforms to examine the current budgetary process and make contribution to the same. The paper analyzes Saudi’s reforms in the light of other countries. It indicates that in any decentralization, governments must stabilize prices for vital commodities, ensure socially acceptable levels of wealth distribution and market access and efficient resource allocation. This is along the values of decentralization. Having cited fiscal decentralization and financial reforms in countries at par with Saudi Arabia the paper makes a strong appeal for fiscal reforms in the Saudi Arabian budgetary process. There has been increased revenue from the oil industry. However the challenge is meeting the diverse needs of a fast growing young population. This is in addition to ensuring accountability and equity among the nation’s provinces. The king is cited noting that some province have not had an equal share of the national resources. Local and regional authorities need be empowered with budgetary portion and responsibility for accountability. This need for fiscal decentralization implies several implications for the authorities. Institutional frameworks and structures must be set up. This is in addition to capacity building and reformation and relocation of the budgetary process and development planning down to the province level. Substantially, the author presents the need for reforms and provides possible steps the royalty may take. However, it should have introduced the concept of decentralization in the initial stage. This has been done in the later parts of the paper, apart from the introduction. Mandeli, K. (2010). Promoting Public Space Governance in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia The author presents a case study of Jeddah Municipality in light of management of public spaces. The paper contributes to decentralization concept in environmental management. Public area management has is not only a financial duty of the municipalities, but also a politically sensitive policy area. The study was prompted factors such as degradation and underutilization of space. The author cites the cause of these to be weakness in local management enjoined with limited financial and legal power to sustainably support. Mandeli (2010) focuses on multi-dimensional of public space governance. Very central to the description is the theme of power and jurisdiction amongst three groups of actors: government, private sector and the civil society. Their interactions politically, economically, and administratively affect policy and social development. Politically, the degradation of the environment is linked to the geometry and power imperatives rather than having resulted from improper urban spatial planning and management. this and other factors surrounding the theme of power form the basis of management reform built on the concept of decentralization where there is shift from national to local government, and increased presence and pressure from citizens and civil societies. The study highlights the changes in governance and the effect on nature and quality public space experience. It identified four principle concerns: resources, regulation, maintenance and coordination. There were positive implications from reforms. However, not all were necessarily positive due to unaddressed issues. Mandeli (2010) highlights the need for structures, coordination and legal frameworks if decentralization benefits are to be sustainable in Jeddah. This study would better find its place and essence in Saudi if evaluated along studies in other municipalities Ali, A, (2009), Business and Management Environment in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities for Multinational Corporations. New York: Routledge The reforms occurring in the kingdom since 1992 as implemented on the word of the king have far reaching implications on all aspects and pillars of Saudi Arabia. These reforms have affected how the kingdom features and competes in the globalised market. This inspires the author whose aim in the book is to manifest the dynamism with which business and management in the kingdom feature amidst the interplay of politics, religion and culture. The themes of power and authority over various platforms have significance to multinational corporations (MNC). The text describes the socio-economic, political and cultural environments detailing how power is manipulated across various boards. The contribution is timely given that majority of the world’s population are affected by initiatives and actions taken by the kingdom (Ali, 2009). The political environment is monarchial with absolute powers on the royalty whose legitimacy rests on Wahabbism and tribal allegiance. The royalty has total control in all areas in the public and private sector. Though there have been reforms, MNCs still have to deal with rigidity in the systems that are mostly top-down. The society is mosaic and built on Islam. The power-entrenched systemized operations, culture, politics and religion have far reaching implications in organizational behavior of MNCs. That’s why the book seeks to provide dependable information for MNCs on how to capitalize on opportunities in the kingdom and avoid pitfalls that major in the power struggles. It also aims to assist managers develop appropriate contextual interventions and approaches to compete competitively in the dynamic environment. Middle East Watch. (1992). Empty reforms: Saudi Arabia's new basic laws. New York: Human Rights Watch . The Middle East Watch authored this after the onset of the much awaited and promised reforms. The main aim of the book was to provide a critique of the reforms released on March 1, 1992 by King Fahd ibn Abdel-Aziz. The author, a rights watch organization challenges the basis and quality of these law reforms. The laws in the sight include the Basic Law of Government, the Consultative Council Law, and the Law of Provinces. The Basic Law was to formalize constitutional framework aspects, the Consultative Law replaced the council while the Law of provinces was meant to provide and regulate the relationship between the central and the regional governments’ agencies. Having appreciated the unction these laws would provide for the future reforms and that they were notable steps towards codifying the unwritten law, the author proceeds head-on to critiquing. According to the text, the introduced reforms fell far short of internationally recognized standards of civil and political rights. Detailing each of the law, the text analyses the short-comings. The Basic common law does not ban extrajudicial killings. There were no provision for protection from discrimination nor were there for universal basic human rights. However, they were long on executive powers, considered a democracy impediment. The critique is supported by sources the author cites on the constitution of the Kingdom with speeches of the king being indicative of a thing whilst implying another. The “intended” and long awaited reforms are not so in implementation in that the arms of the government and relations did not display it. The judicial still remained arm-twisted, whilst the intended democratization and decentralization were instead hindered. The author made it to fault with the laws in depth whilst providing illustrations and international standards insights. The laws were depicted as empty and achieving nothing. Niblock, T & Malik, M. (2007), The Political Economy of Saudi Arabia. New York: Routledge The book aims at providing an understanding of the contemporary problems facing Saudi Arabia’s economic development. It also aims at evaluating the government’s role and success in creating a sustainable economy serving long-term needs of the population. Its theory is built on the fact that oil, the major income earner for the Kingdom, is a perishable resource and that like many other economies depending on oil, there is need to diversify for the purposes of the future. As such it is inevitable that the kingdom constructs new policies. The authors apply several detailed criteria to access the success of the kingdom in doing this. They evaluate this alongside infrastructural interventions, comparative competitive advantages, employment scales and the empowerment of the private sector for effective global competition. The ability of the kingdom to survive without oil is weighed under the dynamics underlying development patterns and the relationship between the state and society. The latter is an analysis over who controls socio-economic policies or in whose interest they are made. The bureaucracy of the nation’s centralized systems is evaluated. Of importance in laying the basis for development and transformation for the future, is the depth of state involvement. The authors highlight two models, the minimal state model which allows maximum participation of the population, and the state-aided whereby there is careful state control. This analysis is built on ongoing wholesome reforms. Saudi is using much of the state-sponsored capitalism in the activities listed in the text. Looney, R. (2004). Saudization and Sound Economic Reforms: Are the Two Compatible? Strategic Insights, Vol.3 (2), 1-11. The journal article is inspired by economic reforms in the kingdom, in the wake of or in response to the economic slow down. The reforms are also in the in the intention maintaining military and political stability for the Kingdom and other Gulf Cooperation Countries. These countries are facing several key economic challenges related to achieving and maintaining sufficient economic growths. There are reforms aimed at empowering the population. Apart from these, there are what is refered to Saudization. Looney’s objective is to evaluate the compatibility of the two. The government has rolled out reforms aimed at creating more jobs with more efficient and freer markets. The reforms are in educational, political and social sectors. Parallel to these, Saudization is also being run. The article describes this as being highly associated with the youths and women, who are apparently marginalized in employment. Saudization aims at increasing employment, reduce reliance on expatriates, and retain investments within. Saudization initiatives are positively imparting the economy. However, there are implications on other reforms with apparent collisions in prirotising and implementation. As Looney presents, both as being equally vital, but Saudization does not have to be compatible with these new reforms. Conclusively, Saudization strategy should be complemented with other reforms. this is by promoting the private sector, skill acquisation, productivity and capital investment and implementing price-based market interventions. The reforms are not necessarily compatible, they need to be complementary. Institute of Diplomatic Studies. (2007). “Political and Economic Reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” In the Diplomat, Issue 6- March 2007, pp. 27-36 The article makes up the cover story of the Diplomat a release of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs . The article is based on the ”Charter to Reform the Arab Position”, a charter aimed at encouraging economic and political reforms. It was launched in January 2003 aiming at increased participation of citizens in politics and democratization through capacity building. The charter was enhanced by the Tunis Declaration in 2004. The article seeks to track economic and political reforms since the launch of the charter to date. Politically, the government launched plans to streamline regional governments enhanced by a stronger voice by the citizens. Public exchange of information was enhanced by the King Abdulaziz Center for National Dialogue. The article hails the establishment of first independent human rights organizations and election of the kingdom into the UN Human Rights Council. There are improvements in education with better services in more institutions. Religion reforms ended extremism and intorelance. Economically, the Kingdom was accessed to the WTO. Several laws were enacted bettering trade and business and instituting agencies to further on reforms sustainably. By 2006, the reforns had started yieding with the Kingdom becoming the largest economy in the Middle East with enhanced privatization, diversification, and increased foreign investment and employment. Much as it is vital to appreciate the reforms, the article ought to have highlited the challenges and learning experiences. Otherwise, the presentation is done in exageration. However, being a governmernt release, it is expected to play agenda-setting. Qobo, M., & Soko, M. (2010, October ). Saudi Arabia as an Emerging Market: Commercial Opportunities and Challenges for South Africa. Emerging Powers and Global Challenges Programmes, Occasional Paper No. 69 , pp. 1-16. Qobo & Soko (2010) working with the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) in this paper do evaluate the ongoing reforms in Saudi Arabia entrenched at making the kingdom a key investment destination and player in the global economics. The reforms are evaluated with regard to how South Africa can benefit from them. The authors begin by appreciating and analyzing reforms in the kingdom since the 1990s under King Abdullah. These reforms are cited as having multi-sectoral effects nationally and internatioannly such that countries all over are working to cut a deal with the kingsdom. According to the paper, reforms have yielded into a diversified and future-intensive economy with a focus on infrastructure, social services and education. This is in addition to privatisation and empowerment of Saudi citizens into owning productive assets. Whilst appreciating the challenges in economic and political reforms, the paper indicates that there are many opportunities and potential for South Africa which are yet to harnessed since bilateral ties are not as strong. It is in South Africa’s interests to develop warmer and closer ties pulling out from a lag behind emerging economies. It is imperative for diplomatic relations to be enhanced so that bilateral trade and business find place. This paper adequately discusses the effect of these reforms at a global level. However, the authors do not as adequately indicate with specificy the avenues of benefit for South Africa. The needed bilateral ties ought to be for specific intentions may be in emerging Saudi industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. Sadi, M. & Al-Ghazali, B. (2009). Doing Business with impudence:a focus on women entreprenuership in Saudi Arabia. Academic Journals, Vol. 4 (1), 1-11 The paper is a study attempting to investigate the valor it takes for women to do commerce in Saudi Arabia. The researchers aim at finding out the reasons why the Saudi women choose to start their businesses and the obstacles that do challenge them. The study is based on the rationale that women-start-ups are increasing globally. There are more women than men in various countries with small start-ups. However, there are enormous multi-faceted challenges in various contexts. Such a study is timely in Saudi especially relative to ongoing decentralization and empowerment reforms. Saudization targeted women and the youth. With 350 participants, drop-off, pick-up and on-line survey methods are applied. Business motivation factors tatistics are described using T-Test and ANOVA test. They reveal that most women are driven by self-achievement. However they face challenges like societal restrictions and investors’ oligopolistic attitude, lack of community and general government support as well as collisions amongst government departments. The researchers contribute to theory literature and as well pose challenge to the ongoing reforms. the reforms should focus on eliminating the barriers and enhancing esteem among the women. There also policy implications for the government and the Chamber of Commerce for whom it is imperative that supportive structures be set up. Though the study delivers results, generalization is a concern since it was limited in data collection. A piloting would have helped detect the inefficiency of interviews. Additional research is needed. References Albassam, B., (2011). Political Reforms in Saudi Arabia: Necessity or Luxury? Middle East Studies Online Journal, vol.3 (6), pp. 175-197 Albadi, F. (2007), Fiscal Decentralization in Developing Countries: A Proposed Framework for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A Research Paper prepared for the 27th International Congress, 9-14th July, 2007, Abu Dhabi, UAE Mandeli, K. (2010). Promoting Public Space Governance in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Ali, A, (2009), Business and Management Environment in Saudi Arabia: Challenges and Opportunities for Multinational Corporations. New York: Routledge Middle East Watch. (1992). Empty reforms: Saudi Arabia's new basic laws. New York: Human Rights Watch Niblock, T & Malik, M. (2007), The Political Economy of Saudi Arabia. New York: Routledge Looney, R. (2004). Saudization and Sound Economic Reforms: Are the Two Compatible? Strategic Insights, Vol.3 (2), 1-11. Institute of Diplomatic Studies. (2007). “Political and Economic Reforms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.” In the Diplomat, Issue 6- March 2007, pp. 27-36 Qobo, M., & Soko, M. (2010, October ). Saudi Arabia as an Emerging Market: Commercial Opportunities and Challenges for South Africa. Emerging Powers and Global Challenges Programmes, Occasional Paper No. 69 , pp. 1-16. Sadi, M. & Al-Ghazali, B. (2009). Doing Business with impudence:a focus on women entreprenuership in Saudi Arabia. Academic Journals, Vol. 4 (1), 1-11 Read More