Not only are many Saudis jumpy approximately their incautious King Salman,the world surrounding the Gulf is also changing in all the ways they fearExtreme caution has long been the watchword of Saudi monarchs: caution in foreign policy, and caution especially when it comes to internal change. Since 2005, and when the king nervously decided it was safe to allow elections for half the members of municipal councils (the other half were to be appointed by the king),it has taken a further 10 years to accept around to letting women select allotment.
Of course, there are good reasons for this caution. Saudis often cite the assassination of King Faisal in 1975 as a warning, and linking it to his attempts at reform and especially his introduction of television,which many at the time regarded as encouraging sin.
The more civil society opens up, the more difficult it becomes to sustain an autocracy Related: Saudi royal calls for regime change in Riyadh Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com