MODERNIZATION PROCESS IN SAUDI ARABIA: A NEW ERA OF CHANGE UNDER VISION 2030

Abstract

This paper aims to examine the process of modernization in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, under absolute monarchy. The focus of study is to analyze Muhammad bin Salman Vision 2030, which includes political and economic reforms, privatization, cultural initiatives, development of various sectors like tourism, health, education and to diversify its economic dependency from oil. Vision 2030 require the government’s ability to preserve a balance between modernization, political authoritarianism and the traditional values of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia based on its ideology. Apart from that Saudi Arabia lifted restrictions on the women and also provided them the opportunities to work in the different fields of life for sake of employment along men. This paper also explore challenges as well as risks that can lead to social instability and vulnerability. ‘This study is descriptive in nature and used content analysis as a tool to analyze the modernization process in Saudi Arabia. Moreover, it also  incorporates modernization theory, to give a theoretical perspective to the research topic. The paper also analyzes the fact that Saudi Arabia’s government wants to upgrade its state from traditional system to the liberal system. Although to some extent, it isn’t easy to enforce because of some radical/conservative groups but it also show the capability and vision of the Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman for the modernization of the Saudi Arabia.