Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Challenging the Dominant Eurocentric Worldview Within the Psy-Disciplines: From the Perspective of Saudi Arabian Practitioners(University of Edinburgh, 2024) AlSharef, Lama; Boylston, TomThis study is an ethnographic inquiry into the subjective experience of Saudi mental health practitioners who studied and trained in Western countries and are currently practicing in Saudi Arabia. The objective behind this study is to challenge the dominant Eurocentric worldview within the psy-disciplines and incorporate their voices in order to challenge the power distribution of voice within the psy-disciplines. This research used ethnographic interviews as the primary method of data collection. Throughout the interviews there was an emphasis placed on knowledge, power, language, and culture, therefore a de-colonial perspective of discourse analysis was used as a method. This paper adheres to a de-colonial lens in regards to investigating knowledge production, more specifically within the psy-disciplines. The emphasis on discourse and language unraveled a hermeneutics approach to de-colonising knowledge. The discussion illustrates how translation between different languages and meaning-making can illuminate frictions that arise when dominant languages and conceptual frameworks are used in contexts that differ in linguistic and cultural foundations. Incorporating the voices of Saudi practitioners within the broader discourse of psy- disciplines demonstrated how psy-discipline theories are being modified and adapted to the Saudi context. Additionally, it underscored the significance of incorporating the broader social, economical and political factors in utilising a de-colonial framework in researching knowledge production and practices within the psy-diciplines.8 0Item Restricted Reassessing Rentier State Theory(Newcastle University, 2024-08-15) Alahmadi, Yasir; Ka Ming, ChanThis thesis critically evaluates the relevance and limitations of Rentier State Theory (RST) in explaining the Gulf states’ social, political, and economic structures, with a particular focus on Saudi Arabia. The study challenges two key assumptions of RST: first, that there is an intrinsic link between oil wealth and the development of authoritarian governance, and, second, that economic prosperity and diversification are impossible without a transition to democracy. These assumptions, influenced by the theory’s Eurocentric bias, overlook important factors. Specifically, RST fails to account for the historical, social, and political contexts that shaped the Gulf states, particularly the role of tribal systems before the formation of modern nationstates. Furthermore, RST alone does not adequately explain the contemporary transformations in Gulf monarchies and requires the integration of additional theoretical frameworks to provide a deeper analysis. To address these gaps, this study examines the historical socio-political structures of Saudi Arabia to highlight the enduring influence of tribal governance on the country’s modern political system. It also investigates how incorporating good governance principles – such as accountability, transparency, and the rule of law – under Vision 2030 offers a more comprehensive appreciation of the recent social, political, and economic changes in the Kingdom. The findings suggest that while RST offers valuable insights, it must be adapted to include local contexts and complementary theoretical perspectives. This research contributes to a broader understanding of how Gulf monarchies, especially Saudi Arabia, have managed to achieve significant economic progress and maintain political stability through governance models that are tailored to their unique historical, social, and political realities. The study underscores the need to reconsider the application of Western theories in non-Western contexts and advocates for a more context-sensitive approach to political and economic analysis.13 0