Saudi Arabia's Sociology, Societal Prospect

Saudi Arabia is considered the most traditional and undemocratic country among the countries of West Asia and North Africa. Regarding the post 2000 societal and regional developments as well as internal change in political and governmental bodies, the new Saudi Arabian rulers find it necessary to modify the economic, societal and cultural issues. The present research by a descriptive-analytical method seeks to answer first “what are the dimensions of this change?” and second “what are official new elites pursuing from these changes?” The basis of the research is that the new Saudi elite class has made changes in "surface" in order to prevent the society from turning into revolutionary nation, reducing international criticism, attracting more Western support, confronting Iran, and ending the succession crisis. In case it fails to "deepen" it, the country would face with negative and violent reaction from Salafi Wahhabi groups, secular courtiers and the new middle class.