Religion and foreign policy : the case of Saudi Arabia

• Název v anglickém jazyce: Religion and foreign policy : the case of Saudi Arabia
• Klíčová slova: náboženství, zahraniční politika, Saúdská Arábie
• Klíčová slova anglicky: Religion, Foreign Policy, Saudi Arabia
• Akademický rok vypsání: 2011/2012
• Typ práce: diplomová práce
• Jazyk práce: angličtina
• Ústav: Katedra politologie (23-KP)
• Vedoucí / školitel: PhDr. Lucie Hindlsová, Ph.D.
• Řešitel: skrytý - zadáno vedoucím/školitelem
• Datum přihlášení: 02.06.2012
• Datum zadání: 02.06.2012
• Datum a čas obhajoby: 01.02.2013 09:00
• Místo konání obhajoby: IPS FSV UK, U kříže 8/661 158 00 Praha 5 – Jinonice
• Datum odevzdání elektronické podoby: 17.01.2013
• Datum proběhlé obhajoby: 01.02.2013
• Oponenti: doc. Martin Riegl, Ph.D.

Zásady pro vypracování

Topic Characteristics

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy, and there are no officially recognized political parties. The constitution of the country is based on ideas of Islamic law. No modern constitution has been written, and no national elections have taken place in the history of Saudi Arabia. Despite all of internal restrictions, Saudi Arabia increased its power not only in the Middle east but as well as in the world.
As a center of Islamic World, Saudi Arabia in fact, is a very crucial country. I believe that we need to understand the tools that this country uses with regard to its foreign policy and the consequences these have had so far.
Saudi Arabia's foreign policy is focused on maintaining of the key positions among the Islamic countries and other oil-exporting countries. In addition, Saudi Diplomacy protects and promotes the interests of Islam throughout the world. Despite the alliances with the West, Saudi Arabia has often been criticized for financing Islamic extremists. It is known that Saudi Arabia was one of three states that have recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan. It is also the birthplace of the former leader of the terrorist organization "Al-Qaeda," Osama bin Laden.
Complicated relationships are formed also with Iran, since Saudi Arabia and Iran, as the centers of the two main branches of Islam; claim to be informal leaders in the Islamic world.
Historically, Saudi Arabia is a birthplace of Islam. But dominant stream still is Wahhabism in Saudi Arabia. It is one direction in Islam. Although this stream spreads and involves many Islamic countries, Saudi Arabia is still to be the core state of this stream. In general, there is no doubt that Wahhabism has intolerant view of non-Muslims and other Islamic directions which are influenced and complicated Saudi Arabia’s relationship with other countries. For instance, within relations USA and UK some Wahhabist scholars criticized al-Saud for their close relations with unbelievers and moral pollution that have brought these connections to Saudi Arabia.
Last two decades Saudi Arabia expended several billion in "overseas development aid”. We can find numerous of evidence that prove that majority of this aid was spent on propagating and extending the influence of Wahhabism. Nevertheless, the Saudi government denies these factors.
The main intention of this work is to enhance the comprehension one of the main geopolitical actor and power of the Middle East.
My research task is to explore the degree to which the current government of Saudi Arabia uses religion as a tool in its foreign policy. In particular I will attempt to clarify whether or to what extent the Saudi government, officially or unofficially promotes terrorism or militant extremism.
Although the Saudi government denies such activity, reports to this effect come from countries as far apart as North Caucasus, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia and Bosnia, Somalia, United Kingdom, US and Indonesia.
I will investigate the effect of this alleged activity on various stakeholders, such as the Saudi government and Royal Family, and religious institutions, and its effect on the 'recipients' such as foreign governments.

Hypotheses
1. Saudi Arabia extensively uses religion as influential tool in its foreign policy.
2. As a main stream In Saudi Arabia, “Wahhabism” encourages and promotes terrorism in outside country through its foreign policy.
3. Saudi Arabia attempts to keep its leadership on its hand within the Islamic World.

Methodology
In my proposed thesis I am looking forward to use qualitative study method with interpretative approach. I will try to shape it also with analytical nature, gathering the relevant data from academic publications, on-line articles, and reliable news. It will also include foreign policy agenda of Saudi Arabia, documentary films and speeches of top officials that will be analyzed.
I will enclose also some statistics regarding financial backup attention promoting religion and research quantitative data that will demonstrate the level of involvement of Saudi Arabia with third world countries. In case of unclear points, The Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Czech Republic will be contacted thus request for interview. Realizable “field work” will be also conducted.

Outline
1. Introduction
1.1. Methodology
1.2. Overview of literature
2 – 6. Taking into consideration all of the religious factors and stakeholders, and analyzing current government foreign policy
7. Empirical data
8. Predictions based on future stance of Saudi Arabia with its contradictions and concur.
8. Conclusion
9. Bibliography and Appendices

Seznam odborné literatury

1). Madawi.R, (2002): A History of Saudi Arabia. Cambridge University Press.

2). Markus.K, (2008): Great powers and regional orders: the United States and the Persian Gulf. England. MPG Books LTD.
3). Watson.M, (2008): Prophets and princes: Saudi Arabia from Muhammad to the present. Published in Canada.
4). Jonsson.D, (2006): Islamic Economics and the Final Jihad. Printed in the USA

5). Hrair.D, (1994): Islam in revolution: fundamentalism in the Arab world. Printed in the USA.
6). Ministry of foreign affairs: The foreign policy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On-line source:http://www.mofa.gov.sa/SITES/MOFAEN/ABOUTKINGDOM/KINGDOMFOREIGNPOLICY/Pages/KingdomPolicy34645.aspx.