The politics of Saudi Arabia takes place in the context of a totalitarian absolute monarchy with Islamist
Islamism
Islamism is a concept whose meaning has been debated in both public and academic contexts. The term can refer to diverse forms of social and political activism advocating that public and political life should be guided by Islamic principles or more specifically to movements which call for …
What are the politics of Saudi Arabia?
How does Saudi Arabia government work? Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, although, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an and the Sunnah are declared to be the country's constitution. Click to see full answer.
How does the Saudi court system work?
How does the government work in Saudi Arabia? Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, although, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an and the Sunnah are declared to be the country's constitution. About Us Trending Popular Contact
Is the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia a constitution?
As Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, the country does not possess a legally-binding written constitution. However, the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia was adopted by royal decree in 1992. The Basic Law overviews the responsibilites and processes of the growing institutions, but is insufficiently specific enough to be considered an actual constitution.
How does Saudi Arabia manage its security forces?
Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the Saud dynasty ( Āl Saʿūd ), a family whose status was established by its close ties with and support for the Wahhābī religious establishment.
What is the government of Saudi Arabia?
People consider Saudi Arabia as the birthplace of Islam and the world’s biggest exporter of oil. The country is a monarchy whose ruler is King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud; sometimes known as Salman of Saudi Arabia. He also acts as the state’s Prime Minister.
What is the judicial system in Saudi Arabia?
Judiciary system in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, with its judicial system based on Sharia Law for both civil and criminal cases. As with other areas of Saudi Arabian protocol, the king is at the top of the legal system, meaning he can intervene and offer pardons.
How many regions does Saudi Arabia have?
King Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud. Saudi Arabia consists of 13 regions ( Minṭaqah) with members of the royal family generally appointed as regional governors in the Council of Ministers ( Majlis al-Wuzara ). This takes advice from the Consultative Council ( Majlis Al-Shura ); the council is appointed every four years.
When was Saudi Arabia established?
Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 as a monarchy in which the King is succeeded by his son; or in some cases grandson. The heir to the ruler usually serves as Deputy Prime Minister. While it is rare, it is possible for the ruling family to remove the king; this actually happened in 1964 when King Saud was deposed.
Do Saudi women have to have a guardian?
Currently, all women in Saudi Arabia must have a male guardian ; usually their husband, who replaces their father once they marry. Theoretically, women can study and work without permission, but in reality, this isn’t always the case.
What happened to Khashoggi?
Since Khashoggi’s death, there has been much debate over what happened. Saudi officials claim the journalist died at the hands of a rogue operation of agents being sent to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia. Turkey, on the other hand, claims that the officials acted on the orders of the Saudi government.
Is Saudi Arabia facing a difficult time?
When it comes to the government and political system in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom is facing a difficult time. Tensions between Sunni and Shiite factions remain a threat to peace and scandal threatens the country’s reputation on the international stage.
What is the political system of Saudi Arabia?
The politics of Saudi Arabia takes place in the context of a totalitarian absolute monarchy with Islamist lines, where the King is both the head of state and government. Decisions are, to a large extent, made on the basis of consultation among the senior princes of the royal family and the religious establishment.
What is the basic law of Saudi Arabia?
In 1992, King Fahd adopted the Basic Law as a constitution-like charter for the country. The Basic Law declares that the Quran and the Sunnah are the constitution of Saudi Arabia. ^ Serves as an advisory body to the king with no legislative power.
How many regions are there in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia?
The kingdom is divided into 13 regions ( manāṭiq ), which in turn are divided into numerous districts. Regional governors are appointed, usually from the royal family, and preside over one or more municipal councils, half of whose members are appointed and half elected. The governors are responsible for such functions as finance, health, education, agriculture, and municipalities. The consultative principle operates at all levels of government, including the government of villages and tribes. The governors act as regional "mini-kings", sitting in majlises, hearing grievances and settling disputes.
When was the Quran established?
^ King Faisal declared the Quran to be the constitution in 1960. In 1992, King Fahd adopted the Basic Law as a constitution-like charter for the country. The Basic Law declares that the Quran and the Sunnah are the constitution of Saudi Arabia.
Who is the leader of Saudi Arabia?
The government of Saudi Arabia is led by the monarch, King Salman, who acceded to the throne on 23 January 2015. No political parties or national elections are permitted, and according to The Economist ' s 2010 Democracy Index, the Saudi government was the seventh-most authoritarian regime among the 167 countries rated.
What is the importance of the Ulama?
The significance of the ulama (the body of Islamic religious leaders and jurists) is derived from the central role of religion in Saudi society. It has been said that Islam is more than a religion, it is a way of life in Saudi Arabia, and, as a result, the influence of the ulama is pervasive. Saudi Arabia is almost unique in giving the ulama a direct role in government, the only other example being Iran. Prior to 1971, a council of senior ulama advising the king was headed by the Grand Mufti and met informally. In that year, the council was formalized in a Council of Senior Scholars, appointed by the king and with salaries paid by the government.
Who is the current ruler of Saudi Arabia?
Prince Mohammad bin Salman is the current Crown Prince, and is widely regarded as the country's de facto ruler. King Salman of Saudi Arabia. The king combines legislative, executive, and judicial functions and royal decrees form the basis of the country's legislation.
Is Saudi Arabia a monarchy?
As Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, the country does not possess a legally-binding written constitution. However, the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia was adopted by royal decree in 1992.
What is the scale of 0 to 100?
Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2019)
What is the primary source of Islamic law?
Islamic law, the Sharīʿah, is the primary source of legislation, but the actual promulgation of legislation and implementation of policy is often mitigated by more mundane factors, such as political expediency, the inner politics of the ruling family, and the influence of intertribal politics, which remain strong in the modern kingdom.
What are the functions of governors?
With their councils, the governors are responsible for such functions as finance, health, education, agriculture, and municipalities. The consultative principle operates at all levels of government, including the government of villages and tribes.
What is the basis of justice?
Justice. The Sharīʿah is the basis of justice. Judgment usually is according to the Ḥanbalī tradition of Islam; the law tends to be conservative and punishment severe, including amputation for crimes such as theft and execution for crimes that are deemed more severe (e.g., drug trafficking and practicing witchcraft).
Does Saudi Arabia have a legal guardian?
Saudi Arabia has a legal system that requires all Saudi women to have a male legal guardian. The guardians have authority to make a number of decisions on behalf of women, similar to the authority a legal guardian has over a minor.
What is the National Guard?
The National Guard, which has roughly the same troop strength as the army, is essentially an internal security force, though it can support the regular forces for national defense. One of its primary peacetime tasks is to guard the country’s oil fields.
What are the threats to the status quo?
Most major threats to the political status quo have come either from dissident factions within the religious community or from groups that appeal in some way to Islamic values. Many of these groups have operated abroad, and a number have been involved in political violence.
What diseases are prevalent during the Hajj?
Outbreaks of serious diseases such as meningitis have occurred during the hajj. Man wearing a mask at a camel market in a village near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 2014.
What is Saudi Arabia's economy?
Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings. ...
What is the oil industry in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia has an oil-based economy with strong government controls over major economic activities. It possesses about 16% of the world's proven petroleum reserves, ranks as the largest exporter of petroleum, and plays a leading role in OPEC. The petroleum sector accounts for roughly 87% of budget revenues, 42% of GDP, and 90% of export earnings.
What is the war in Yemen?
The war in Yemen has drawn international criticism for civilian casualties and its effect on the country’s dire humanitarian situation. In December 2015, then Deputy Crown Prince MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN announced Saudi Arabia would lead a 34-nation Islamic Coalition to fight terrorism (it has since grown to 41 nations).
How many troops does Saudi Arabia have?
the Saudi military forces have about 225,000 active troops; approximately 125,000 under the Ministry of Defense (75,000 Land Forces; 14,000 Naval Forces; 36,000 Air Force/Air Defense/Strategic Missile Forces) and approximately 100,000 in the Saudi Arabia National Guard (SANG) (2020)#N#note: SANG also has an irregular force (Fowj), primarily Bedouin tribal volunteers, with a total strength of approximately 25,000 men
Which country has the largest coastline without a river?
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the world without a river; extensive coastlines on the Persian Gulf and Red Sea allow for considerable shipping (especially of crude oil) through the Persian Gulf and Suez Canal.
When was Saudi Arabia founded?
The modern Saudi state was founded in 1932 by ABD AL-AZIZ bin Abd al-Rahman Al SAUD (Ibn Saud) after a 30-year campaign to unify most of the Arabian Peninsula. One of his male descendants rules the country today, as required by the country's 1992 Basic Law. Following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, Saudi Arabia accepted ...
Who is the Prince of Saudi Arabia?
In June 2017, King SALMAN elevated MUHAMMAD BIN SALMAN to Crown Prince. The country remains a leading producer of oil and natural gas and holds about 16% of the world's proven oil reserves as of 2015. The government continues to pursue economic reform and diversification, particularly since Saudi Arabia's accession to the WTO in 2005, ...
How many hours do Muslims work during Ramadan?
During Ramadan, Muslims are to work 6 hours a day or 36 hours a week. Employees should be given break or rest periods after working for 5 hours consecutively. The rest periods are not part of the working hours. Thus, employees are allowed to go out for lunch or snacks.
How many hours can you work in a week?
The working hours per day maybe adjusted provided that for the whole week, it should not exceed 48 hours . There are instances that the working hours can be increased to 9 hours for employees within specific sector, especially those who are not working continuously.
Is overtime considered an hourly rate?
If working overtime, an employee should receive a 150% hourly rate for the additional hours he have worked. Once the employee has gone beyond the standard 48 hours, that’s considered as overtime already. Official holidays are considered as overtime if the employee will work during these days. There are exceptions to overtime pay such as ...
Is a holiday considered overtime?
Official holidays are considered as overtime if the employee will work during these days. There are exceptions to overtime pay such as when an employee has a high position in the company, guards and janitors, per project based employee.
Does Saudi Arabia have overtime?
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has its own provisions when it comes to working hours, rest days, and overtime. It is stated clearly in their Labor Law the maximum number of hours an employee should render, the specific rest days in a week and the payment for overtime. If you are an expat currently working in Saudi or planning to get a job here ...
Basic Law of Governance
- Monarchy is the system of rule in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Rulers of the country shall be from amongst the sons of the founder King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al-Saud, and their descendants. The most upright among them shall receive allegiance according to Almight…
The Executive Authority
- Council of Ministers
The Council of Ministers shall have the power to set the internal, foreign, financial, economic, educational, and defense policies as well as the general affairs of the State, and shall oversee their implementation; and it shall review Shura Council resolutions. It shall have the executive au…
The Judiciary Authority
- The Judiciary is an independent authority. The decisions of judges shall not be subject to any authority other than the authority of the Islamic Sharia. Supreme Judicial Council is constituted by a President appointed by a royal decree, and ten members as follows: 1. The President of the Supreme Courte 2. Four Full-time Judges, with the rank of Appellate Court President, shall be ap…
The Regulatory Authority
- Shura Council
The Shura Council consists of a president and sixty members appointed by the King, including people of knowledge, experience and competence. Members' rights, duties, and all their affairs are determined by a royal order. Please, visit this pageto read the organizational structure for the Sh…
Important Links
Government and Political System in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi Arabian King: Who Is Currently in Power?
- Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud is the King and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia. He came to power in January 2015. The king ultimately signs off or rejects legislation, but his decisions are often based on agreements within the royal family and important community members; including religious scholars, tribal sheikhs, and major business owners. Saudi Arabia has no political parti…
Electoral System in Saudi Arabia
- In his role as Prime Minister, the King oversees the Council of Ministers, which takes responsibility for home and foreign policy. In addition, he oversees the key departments that run the country, such as health, transport, and education. Relatively few residents of Saudi Arabia participate in the political process, with political influence still ...
Voting in Saudi Arabia
- In 2015, Saudi women were given the right to vote and stand as candidates in the municipal elections. As a result, Saudi Arabians elected the first women to a political office in Saudi Arabia’s history. Despite this development, voting registration was still low; with 130,000 women registering to vote, compared to more than 1.3 million men. In terms of candidacy, 978 women s…
The Political History of Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia was established in 1932 as a monarchy in which the King is succeeded by his son; or in some cases grandson. The heir to the ruler usually serves as Deputy Prime Minister. While it is rare, it is possible for the ruling family to remove the king; this actually happened in 1964 when King Saud was deposed. The ruling family has a strong relationship with the Wahhabi religious h…
Judiciary System in Saudi Arabia
- Saudi Arabia is an Islamic state, with its judicial system based on Sharia Law for both civil and criminal cases. As with other areas of Saudi Arabian protocol, the king is at the top of the legal system, meaning he can intervene and offer pardons. There are three parts of the Saudi court system. The Shariah courts hear most cases that go to trial, and these are split into three catego…
Recent Political Reforms in Saudi Arabia
- In June 2017, the King announced that his son, Mohammad bin Salman, will be first in line to the throne. As is customary, the prince already wields a significant amount of power and controls many of the main levers of government as Crown Prince and Deputy Prime Minister. In recent years, the Saudi government has sought to crack down on corruption and pursue economic and …
Political Tensions in Saudi Arabia
- When it comes to the government and political system in Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom is facing a difficult time. Tensions between Sunni and Shiite factions remain a threat to peace and scandal threatens the country’s reputation on the international stage. Saudi Arabia made news around the world over the controversial death of Jamal Khashoggi in October 2018. Khashoggi was a Saudi …
The State of The Economy in Saudi Arabia
- The Saudi Arabian economy boomed during the 1970s and 1980s, with growth underpinned by enormous revenue from exporting oil to the west. This also resulted in the state being able to develop into a more modern country with low unemployment levels and high GDP. In the 1990s, this decreased as the price of oil dropped and the population continued to grow, resulting in high…
Useful Resources
Overview
The politics of Saudi Arabia takes place in the context of an authoritarian absolute monarchy along Islamist lines, where the King is both the head of state and government. Decisions are, to a large extent, made on the basis of consultation among the senior princes of the royal family and the religious establishment. Some critics regard the Saudi government as a totalitarianstate…
Constitution
Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, although, according to the Basic Law of Saudi Arabia adopted by royal decree in 1992, the king must comply with Sharia (that is, Islamic law) and the Qur'an. The Qur'an and the Sunnahare declared to be the country's constitution. There is no legally binding written constitution and the Qur'an and the Sunna remain subject to interpretation. This is carried out b…
Politics outside of the royal family
Politics in Saudi Arabia, outside the royal family, can be examined in three contexts: the extent to which the royal family allows political participation by the wider Saudi society, opposition to the regime, and Islamist terrorism.
Outside the House of Al Saud, participation in the political process is limited to a relatively small segment of the population and takes the form of the royal family consulting with the ulama, triba…
Regional government
The kingdom is divided into 13 regions (manāṭiq), which in turn are divided into numerous districts. Regional governors are appointed, usually from the royal family, and preside over one or more municipal councils, half of whose members are appointed and half elected. The governors are responsible for such functions as finance, health, education, agriculture, and municipalities. The consultative principle operates at all levels of government, including the government of villa…
Political reform
In March 1992, King Fahd issued several decrees outlining the basic statutes of government and codifying royal succession for the first time. The King's political reform program also provided for the establishment of a national Consultative Council, with appointed members having advisory powers to review and give advice on issues of public interest. It also outlined a framework for councils at the provincial or emirate level.
See also
• Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice (Saudi Arabia)
• The Bees Army
External links
• Saudi National e-Government Portal
• Saudi Arabia Government at Curlie
• Carnegie Endowment, Arab Reform Bulletin: 'Saudi Arabia'
• Saudi Arabia Corruption Profile from the Business Anti-Corruption Portal