RESEARCH OVERVIEW

Modernization in Arabia

Literature review

Despite the fact that the concept of 'Modernity' has known numerous definitions and various degrees of impact on different environments through the ages throughout the world, it seems that it was only in the twentieth century, that the western world adopted it to engulf every sphere of human life, albeit economic, cultural, political or otherwise(Thompson Robert 2007:249). This is attributed not only to the exponential advances in sciences and modern technologies, but also to the eagerness of these societies to strive for the freedom of the individual and the endeavors of the political classes to democratize public and private institutions for the benefit of all members of society (Samih, 68).

One of the most profound impacts that Islam has had is through the political world. Approximately twenty-one percent of the world's population consider themselves to be Muslim. An astonishing twenty-two countries have some form of Islam to be the state religion, more than any other religion on earth. Numerous world leaders also are followers of the faith or have many Islamic backers (Anthony, 2004, 140). As stated above every country has a considerably number of Muslims in their country. By spreading into government it is hard to separate church from state in these countries, tending for these Muslims ideals, rules, and laws to penetrate into their governments this can cause strains on relations with other countries even Islamic ones.

Indeed, accepted wisdom amidst western authorities and institutions retains that financial prosperity will inescapably set developing nations on a road away from rearwards political schemes and toward pluralism, democracy, and liberalism. The Western outlook retains that with the development of a flourishing middle class comes interior force to reform, and when this pressure becomes powerful enough, incumbent regimes have no choice but to bow to the desires of their persons and liberalize their socio-political structures.

Such convictions have been the cornerstone of much Western activity abroad in the last 50 years, with great hope being put in institutions like the IMF and World Bank to convey about economic steadiness and eventual democratization movements. The idea has held up relatively well in certain regions of the world, but the tendency in Saudi Arabia has established a new paradigm—defying certain convictions about a direct connection between economic and political liberalization. Indeed, the pattern of change over the years in Saudi Arabia has demonstrated that more economic success can type greater political ...