Publication: Mohammed bin Salman's reforms in Saudi Arabia and their relations with Wahhabism
Abstract
Bu tez Suudi Arabistan’da MBS liderliğinde gerçekleşen reform sürecini ülkenin kurucu ideolojisi olan Vehhabilikle ilişkisi bağlamında ele almaktadır. Bu açıdan tezde cevaplanmaya çalışılan iki soru bulunmaktadır. 1-) MBS reformları Vehhabilikten bir kopuşu mu simgelemektedir? 2-) Eğer böyleyse bu kopuşun sebebi nedir? Bu çalışmada MBS reformlarının Vehhabilikten keskin bir kopuşu simgelediği iddia edilmektedir. Sonrasında ise bu kopuş sürecinin sebepleri açıklanmaya çalışılmaktadır. Literatürde önce çıkan iki temel argüman bulunmaktadır. Bu argümanlar güç konsolidasyonu ve rejim bekasıdır. Tez, güç konsolidasyonu argümanını geçerli bulur ancak tüm reform sürecini açıklamakta yetersiz kaldığını ve rejimin karşı karşıya kaldığı beka sorunlarını göz ardı ettiğini savunur. Dolayısıyla MBS’in kısa vadede gücünü konsolide ettiği kabul edilse de reformların arkasındaki asıl motivasyonun rejimin bekası olduğu iddia edilir. Rejim bekasını savunan argüman ise Vehhabiliği sorunun bir parçası olarak ele almaktadır ancak bu çalışma bu argümanı yeniden inşa ederek Vehhabilik merkezinde bir rejim bekası anlatısı oluşturmaktadır. Rejimin bekasını tehdit eden ve Suud’da kısa vadede varoluşsal sorunlara sebep olabilecek üç temel sorun tespit edilmiştir. İlk sorun geleceği belirsiz olan petrole dayalı ekonomik model. İkincisi toplumda özellikle genç nesil ve kadınlar arasında var olan sosyal huzursuzluk. Üçüncü problem ise Suudi Arabistan’ın özellikle 2001 sonrası ciddi derecede uluslararası baskı görmesine sebep olan müfredat ve kadın hakları konusudur. Bu sorunların çözümü ise Vehhabiliğin terkine bağlıdır. Sonuç olarak, MBS liderliğinde Suudi Arabistan daha otokratik bir devlet haline gelirken aynı zamanda beka problemi olan sorunları çözmektedir. Bu sorunların çözümü ve rejimin bekası ise Vehhabi ideolojinin terkine bağlıdır.
This thesis addresses the reform process led by MBS in Saudi Arabia in the context of its relationship with Wahhabism, the country's founding ideology. In this regard, the thesis attempts to answer two questions. 1-) Do MBS reforms symbolize a break with Wahhabism? 2-) If so, what is the reason for this break? This study argues that MBS reforms symbolize a sharp break with Wahhabism. Subsequently, the reasons for this break are explained. There are two main arguments that emerge in literature. These arguments are power consolidation and regime survival. The thesis finds the power consolidation argument valid but argues that it is insufficient to explain the entire reform process and ignores the survival issues facing the regime. Therefore, while it is accepted that MBS consolidated his power in the short term, it is argued that the real motivation behind the reforms is the survival of the regime. The argument defending the regime's survival considers Wahhabism as part of the problem, but this study reconstructs this argument and creates a narrative of regime survival centered on Wahhabism. Three fundamental problems that threaten the regime's survival and could cause existential problems for Saudi Arabia in the short term have been identified. The first is the uncertain future of the oil-based economic model. The second is social unrest, particularly among the younger generation and women. The third problem is the curriculum and women's rights, which have caused Saudi Arabia to face serious international pressure, especially since 2001. The solution to these problems lies in abandoning Wahhabism. In brief, under the leadership of MBS, Saudi Arabia is becoming a more autocratic state while also resolving issues that threaten its survival. The resolution of these issues and the survival of the regime depend on the abandonment of Wahhabism.
This thesis addresses the reform process led by MBS in Saudi Arabia in the context of its relationship with Wahhabism, the country's founding ideology. In this regard, the thesis attempts to answer two questions. 1-) Do MBS reforms symbolize a break with Wahhabism? 2-) If so, what is the reason for this break? This study argues that MBS reforms symbolize a sharp break with Wahhabism. Subsequently, the reasons for this break are explained. There are two main arguments that emerge in literature. These arguments are power consolidation and regime survival. The thesis finds the power consolidation argument valid but argues that it is insufficient to explain the entire reform process and ignores the survival issues facing the regime. Therefore, while it is accepted that MBS consolidated his power in the short term, it is argued that the real motivation behind the reforms is the survival of the regime. The argument defending the regime's survival considers Wahhabism as part of the problem, but this study reconstructs this argument and creates a narrative of regime survival centered on Wahhabism. Three fundamental problems that threaten the regime's survival and could cause existential problems for Saudi Arabia in the short term have been identified. The first is the uncertain future of the oil-based economic model. The second is social unrest, particularly among the younger generation and women. The third problem is the curriculum and women's rights, which have caused Saudi Arabia to face serious international pressure, especially since 2001. The solution to these problems lies in abandoning Wahhabism. In brief, under the leadership of MBS, Saudi Arabia is becoming a more autocratic state while also resolving issues that threaten its survival. The resolution of these issues and the survival of the regime depend on the abandonment of Wahhabism.