Globalization, the state, and narrative plurality : historiography in Saudi Arabia
This thesis examines historiography in modern Saudi Arabia. Many students of modern Arab historiography have focused on the development of historical professions and the historiographical legitimation of regimes. In contrast, this thesis seeks to explain the emergence of a plurality of historical narratives in the kingdom in the absence of formal political pluralism. It thus pays special attention to amateur and unofficial histories. Since the 1920s, texts about local, tribal and Shiite communities emerged that diverged from, and contested, the histories focusing on the royal family. They emphasized the communities' historical independence from the Al Saud or asserted the communities' importance in Saudi national history. Since the 1970s, distinct social and economic histories also developed. These histories described important historical events as the result of wider social and economic factors rather than the actions of individual rulers or communities. The thesis argues that this narrative plurality was the product of the building and expansion of the Saudi state in the context of globalization. The state subsidized not only dynastic histories, but also many texts on local, social and economic history.
Determann, Jorg Matthias
Globalization, the state, and narrative plurality : historiography in Saudi Arabia. This thesis examines historiography in modern Saudi Arabia. Many students of modern Arab historiography have focused on the development of historical professions and the historiographical legitimation of regimes. In contrast, this thesis seeks to explain the emergence of a plurality of historical narratives in the kingdom in the absence of formal political pluralism. It thus pays special attention to amateur and unofficial histories. Since the 1920s, texts about local, tribal and Shiite communities emerged that diverged from, and contested, the histories focusing on the royal family. They emphasized the communities' historical independence from the Al Saud or asserted the communities' importance in Saudi national history. Since the 1970s, distinct social and economic histories also developed. These histories described important historical events as the result of wider social and economic factors rather than the actions of individual rulers or communities. The thesis argues that this narrative plurality was the product of the building and expansion of the Saudi state in the context of globalization. The state subsidized not only dynastic histories, but also many texts on local, social and economic history.
globalization state narrative plurality historiography saudi_arabia examine historiography modern saudi_arabia many student modern arab historiography focus development historical profession historiographical legitimation regime contrast seek_explain emergence plurality historical_narrative kingdom absence formal political pluralism thus pay special_attention amateur unofficial history since texts local tribal community emerge diverge contest history focus royal_family community historical independence assert community importance saudi national_history since distinct social_economic history also_develop history describe important historical_event wider_social economic_factor rather action individual ruler community argues narrative plurality product building expansion saudi state context globalization state dynastic history also many texts local social_economic history