Saudi Arabia

Al Saud Dynasty

The ruling royal family of Saudi Arabia

Allegiance Council

A body of Saudi princes that helps determine succession within the royal family.

Aramco

Saudi Arabia’s state-owned oil company (Saudi Aramco)

Authoritarianism & Resilience

A system where power is centralized and maintained through control

Basic Law of Governance (1992)

Saudi Arabia’s quasi-constitution outlining the structure of government and role of Islam.

Blasphemy Laws

Laws that punish criticism or disrespect of religion

Bureaucracy

A system of government administration run by officials and departments.

Clientelism

A system where political support is exchanged for benefits like jobs or money.

Council of Ministers

The executive cabinet responsible for implementing government policy.

Dammam

Dammam; a major city in the Eastern Province and center of the oil industry.

Digital Authoritarianism

Use of technology and surveillance by the state to control citizens and limit dissent.

Dynastic Monarchy

A monarchy where power is passed within a ruling family.

Eastern Province

Al-Sharqiyyah — Eastern Province; oil-rich region with a large Shia population.

Emirate of Diriyah

Emirate of Diriyah; the first Saudi state founded in the 18th century.

Ghawar

Ghawar Field; the largest conventional oil field in the world.

Grand Mosque of Mecca

Masjid al-Haram; Islam’s holiest mosque.

Guardianship System

A system requiring women to have male guardian approval for major decisions.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Gulf Cooperation Council; alliance of Gulf states for economic and political cooperation.

Hajj

The annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca required of all Muslims able to perform it.

Hanbali School of Jurisprudence

A strict school of Sunni Islamic law followed in Saudi Arabia.

Hijaz

Hejaz; region containing Mecca and Medina.

Iran-Saudi Rivalry

Ongoing political and religious competition between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Islam

The monotheistic religion based on the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

Labor Migration System (Kafala)

A system tying foreign workers’ legal status to their employers.

Modernization Theory

The idea that economic development leads to democratization.

Mohammed bin Salman

Mohammed bin Salman; current crown prince driving reforms like Vision 2030.

OPEC Membership

Saudi Arabia’s role in OPEC

Patrimonialism

A system where the ruler treats the state as personal property.

Personalist Rule

A system where power is concentrated in one individual.

Religious Establishment (Ulema)

Islamic scholars who influence Saudi law and legitimize the monarchy.

Religious Police (Mutawa)

Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice; enforces moral codes.

Rentier State Theory

The idea that states relying on resource revenue (like oil) maintain power without taxing citizens.

Resource Curse

The paradox where resource-rich countries experience less economic growth and democracy.

Safaniya

Safaniya Oil Field; the largest offshore oil field in the world.

Salman bin Abdulaziz

Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud; current king of Saudi Arabia.

Saudization

Policy to increase employment of Saudi citizens over foreign workers.

Sharia Law

Islamic law derived from the Quran and Hadith.

Shia

One of the two main branches of Islam

Shura Council (Majlis ash-Shura)

Advisory legislative body that reviews laws but lacks full power.

SoCal

Informal abbreviation for the Senior Council / Allegiance Council, the body of royal family members that helps manage succession politics and approve future kings and crown princes.

Sovereign Wealth Fund

State-owned investment fund (e.g.

State Capitalism

Economic system where the government controls major industries.

State Feminism (Top-Down Reform)

Government-led efforts to expand women’s rights without grassroots movements.

Succession Politics

The process of determining leadership transitions within the royal family.

Sunni

The largest branch of Islam

Vision 2030

Saudi reform plan led by Mohammed bin Salman to diversify the economy.

Wahhabism

A conservative Islamic movement influencing Saudi religious and political life.