The evolution of Local Government in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with special reference to the 1992 reforms

The thesis is concerned with the evolution of local government in Saudi Arabia, and it begins with working definitions required for the subject. In order to make use of comparative understanding the thesis moves on to include consideration of other systems. Britain and France have been chosen as modern· systems in unitary. states with contrasting experiences. At the same time attention is given to the development of local government systems in the Middle East generally, from the time of the Ottoman Empire. In the particular case of Saudi Arabia the system of local government has evolved with the Kingdom itself over the course of the nineteenth century in a somewhat ad hoc manner. There were reforms at various times, especially the Governors (AI-Omara'a) System of 1359 H (AD 1939), and the Districts (AI-Mokata'at) System of 1383 H (AD 1963). However there was a lack of clarity in the system, as well as rt:lajor social and . economic changes, that led to the refcims of the Territories (AI-Manatek) System of 1412 H (AD 1992) intended to simplify and modernise the system with a greater focus on meeting the needs of the citizens of the Kingdom. The focus of the thesis thus moves to the Territories' system reforms and their implementation, and these chapters are based on extensive use of unpublished documents and interviews. The chapters (VI-VII) start with the formation of the system and incll.:'de the shortcomings of the previous systems that were being addressed and the aims of the new system. The following chapter (VIII) considers the powers and competencies of the various layers of the new system and the way the councils operated in practice. Chapter IX examines the financial arrangements for the Territories' system; while Chapter X discusses the control and supervision from central. government down. The Conclusion of the thesis both reviews the discussion of the evolution of the local government system drawing .out the strands of continuity and change since the foundation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and also makes some recommendations for the future with regard to the potential contribution of local government to development.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo