1. Saudi Arabia Steps Towards Democratization or Reconfiguration of Authoritarianism

2. Objectives Identify Power Structure Reasoning’s for reform Religious Implication Politics Uncertainty of Future

3. Background Most Conservative Islamic nation Powers are to the royal regime Multinational Influence

4. Petition for Basic Laws First petition for basic laws to King Fahd Ideas promoted democracy, liberty, and equality. Consecutive request for independent council Permission for council granted under strict regulations The Committee for the Defense of Legitimate Rights

5. Pressure to Reform 9/11 Aftermath Impact on the Saudi political scene Bush on the topic Prince Abdullah grants reform Accusations of propaganda

6. “A Vision for the Present and the Future of Nations” Opportunistic petition from political upheaval The importance of stressing the “Sharia” customs Curbing towards democracy The fight for Shiites religious practices shut down Appeal expressing thoughts on terrorism from bad politics

7. Petitions for Women Rights Session held in Mecca Session held in Medina Debate dominated by conservative men Separate petition to Prince Abdullah Religious scholars criticize women's rights

8. Press Influence Women’s rights granted 1 st woman appointed to council Political Saudi Woman Unveiled in Newspaper Bold Press Statements like never before Religious establishment argues back

9. Determination of Direction for Democracy Stability of Regime Protected by the U.S. Royal Family Divided New King Abdullah promises democracy in 10-15 years

10. Bin Laden’s Islam vs. George Bush’s America An empire at Stake Radical Islam is afraid of becoming Westernized The Two Extremes leave a balance crises Taxes Oil War

11. Conclusion Democracy Takes Time Saudi Arabia under pressure to make reform Democracy does not mean peace Thank you for listening

12. Sources Jandt, Fred Edmund., and Fred Edmund. Jandt. An Introduction to Intercultural Communication: Identities in a Global Community. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 2004. Print. Kapiszewski, A. "Saudi Arabia: Steps Toward Democratization or Reconfiguration of Authoritarianism?" Journal of Asian and African Studies 41.5-6 (2006): 459-82. Web.