On Saudi Arabia audiobook cover - Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines – and Future

On Saudi Arabia

Its People, Past, Religion, Fault Lines – and Future

Karen Elliott House

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PoliticsEconomics

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On Saudi Arabia
History & Governance+
Religion & Society+
Modern Catalysts for Change+
The Royal Family+
Education & Employment+
Economic Crisis+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 8
How did King Ibn Saud ensure the loyalty of the nomadic Bedouin tribes when forming the Saudi state?
  • A. By offering them lucrative shares in the newly discovered oil reserves.
  • B. By using Wahhabism to convince them to form settlements and share one unquestioning belief.
  • C. By establishing a democratic parliament where tribal leaders had veto power.
  • D. By relying on British military forces to enforce strict laws across the peninsula.
Question 2 of 8
What event led Saudi citizens to begin feeling that Wahhabi Islamic rules might not be absolute and unwavering?
  • A. The abolition of the daily salat prayer requirements for university students.
  • B. A public disagreement among religious scholars regarding men and women socializing at universities.
  • C. The king's decision to permanently ban the vice police from operating in major cities.
  • D. A widespread protest organized by the grand mufti against the monarchy.
Question 3 of 8
How did social media impact Saudi society following the devastating floods in 2009 and 2011?
  • A. It allowed the government to effectively coordinate rescue efforts and distribute aid.
  • B. It was used by citizens to publicly criticize the government's neglect and mismanagement of the crisis.
  • C. It helped religious leaders raise funds to rebuild damaged mosques in Riyadh.
  • D. It was heavily censored by the monarchy, preventing any news of the floods from reaching the outside world.
Question 4 of 8
King Abdullah made several reforms regarding women's rights, such as allowing them to take part in parliament elections. How does the book characterize these gestures?
  • A. As largely symbolic, since Saudi Arabia's political bodies have no real power.
  • B. As revolutionary, leading immediately to the abolishment of the male guardianship system.
  • C. As purely economic, designed to force women into the foreign labor market.
  • D. As deeply unpopular, causing him to reverse the decisions before his death.
Question 5 of 8
What was the subject of Feras Bugnah's viral short film, 'We Are Screwed', which led to his temporary arrest?
  • A. The corruption within the Saudi royal family's oil businesses.
  • B. The squalid living conditions and poverty in the neighborhoods of Riyadh.
  • C. The hypocrisy of the religious police enforcing the driving ban on women.
  • D. The lack of free speech and internet censorship in Saudi universities.
Question 6 of 8
According to the book, what is true about the thousands of Saudi princes with direct lineage to the throne?
  • A. They are all required to serve in the military for at least ten years.
  • B. Most are given high-ranking government jobs to maintain strict control over the populace.
  • C. They are legally prohibited from starting private businesses to prevent monopolies.
  • D. Many receive a monthly allowance and, despite having no official role, try to find ways to be of service.
Question 7 of 8
Despite spending more money on education than the United States, why does Saudi Arabia struggle to improve its educational outcomes?
  • A. Most religious leaders want schools to focus exclusively on Islamic theology and history.
  • B. The government refuses to build schools in rural desert communities.
  • C. There is a massive boycott of public schools by parents who prefer private Western education.
  • D. The country completely lacks a Ministry of Education to oversee curriculum development.
Question 8 of 8
How did King Abdullah's attempt to help the unemployed by creating new government jobs and raising public sector wages inadvertently hurt the economy?
  • A. It caused a massive spike in inflation that wiped out the savings of the lower class.
  • B. It gave the Saudi middle class even less incentive to compete in the private sector.
  • C. It angered foreign workers, leading to massive labor strikes across the oil fields.
  • D. It drained the sovereign wealth fund, causing an immediate default on international loans.

On Saudi Arabia — Full Chapter Overview

On Saudi Arabia Summary & Overview

On Saudi Arabia (2012) gives a fascinating overview of a country rife with contradictions. Despite being immensely wealthy, Saudi Arabia is filled with people who live in abject poverty. And although on its way to being counted among the world’s most powerful countries, it has an education system that’s received execrable rankings. Add to this a liberal dose of religious fanaticism and a complex royal family and you’ll begin to see why Saudi Arabia has struggled to come to terms with itself.

Who Should Listen to On Saudi Arabia?

  • Readers wanting to know more about life in Saudi Arabia
  • Economists interested in a rich yet struggling nation
  • Travelers considering a visit to Saudi Arabia

About the Author: Karen Elliott House

Karen Elliott House is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author. After studying journalism at the University of Texas, she became a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. She spent much of the past 35 years visiting Saudi Arabia.

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