The Globalization of Democracy and its Impact on Women's Political Participation: A Case Study of Saudi Arabia

by

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my supervisors, friends and family, without their support I would not have been able to carry out this research work.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

New Media Technology and Democracy in Saudi Arabia3

I. Studies of Globalization and its Impact on Democracy3

Trade, Economic International Integration, and Democracy in Saudi Arabia4

The Negative Impact of Global Trade on Democracy4

The Impact of WTO Membership on Democracy5

Globalization and State Policy in Saudi Arabia5

The Impact of Globalization on 'Western' States5

versus 'Developing states'5

The Impact of Globalization on Women6

The Public Sphere8

KSA Case Study20

A Survey of Women's Participation in Politics in the Ksa22

Role of internet in promoting globalization and related trends23

The Impact of Economic Integration on Democracy25

Women's Participation in Politics in Saudi Arabia, 199026

World Trade Organization and the political arena in KSA28

The World Trade Organization and Free Trade30

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, WTO Membership and Free Trade32

The Effect of WTO Membership and Free Trade on the KSA32

New Media Technology and Political Changes in the KSA37

The Globalization of Democracy and its Impact on Women's Political Participation in Saudi Arabia38

The Organization of the Study40

Reference42

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Globalization and Democracy

The advancements in information and technology are not only playing and eminent role in decreasing distances and differences, but at the same time, they are also playing their part in redefining the structure and functioning of the society. It has been observed that before the advent of internet and the World Wide Web, the political and other institutions were independent of the external influence; however, the latest advancements and increase in means of communication have caused creation of global systems, which affect every part of the globe. With the increase in globalization, the word is moving towards a uniform system, that is more liberal and moderate as compared to the old systems and it is due to the same reason that it is being openly adopted by most parts of the world. For instance, the internal political system is more inclined towards the establishment of equality and delivery of rights, thus highlighting the need for democracy and rule of people.

Democracy could be defined as the form of government where all the local as well as national actors have their part in the government, and the people are provided with right to choose their own ruler. The system is not only based on the rules of equality and impartiality, but at the same time, it also ensures that rights of the citizens are granted to them in best possible manner. It should be observed that the increase in globalization is causing a clear and obvious increase in the spread of democracy, with more and more countries and states opting for the democratic form of government. This shift can be linked to the increase in awareness regarding human rights, combined with the rights of citizens and the importance of freedom of opinion. Thus, democracy is gradually gaining the status of global political system and it is due to the same ...