Privatization in Russia, Argentina, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Lessons and Reforms

Abstract

“Privatization in Russia, Argentina, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Lessons and Reforms” is a doctoral dissertation investigating four different privatization experiences and focusing on the role of state and government entities. This dissertation assesses the challenges faced by the states and their entities during their privatization journeys and the factors contributing to their success. Through an examination of these challenges and success factors, the dissertation develops several valuable themes, which can serve as lessons—one of the most prominent is the positive impact of previous comprehensive reforms on privatization and state stability, especially in the legislative sphere. Further, adopting public sector governance indicators during privatization projects can create a thriving environment for privatization and facilitate its implementation. Finally, this dissertation suggests several reforms to help state entities improve public governance and enhance the success of privatization and other public projects in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The most critical of these reforms are to expand the jurisdiction of the administrative court, create a national unified portal for state entities’ decisions and circulars, and continue to strengthen anticorruption regulations and support their enforcement and development by state entities.