From conservative to permissive: the shift in Saudi Arabia's management approach in the shadow of English relations

Abstract

This study examines the founding period of the current Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a particular focus on the role that Saudi-British relations played in shaping the nation's development. Experts believe that these diplomatic ties, which were established prior to World War I, were instrumental in enhancing Saudi Arabia's position in the region. Through its interactions with the British and its ability to adapt to changing global politics, the Saudi government learned to consider realpolitik in its decision-making processes. As a result, the main argument of this study is that the Saudi perception of Wahhabism underwent a transformation, shifting from a conservative interpretation to a more permissive one. Through this investigation, we aim to contextualize the evolution of the Saudi government's understanding of religion, starting from its highly uncompromising stance in the Arabian desert and culminating in the Kingdom's proclamation in 1932.