| A quite limited amount of literature exists about the Saudi Arabian development experience. Although that experience shares many aspects with other developing nations' experiences, it also differs markedly in some other aspects. This research presents the reasons for the limited amount of literature, and presents the differences and similarities in development experiences between Saudi Arabia and other developing nations. The research problem was to bring together the main elements of Saudi development with an emphasis on its impacts on society and its relation to Islam which guides the development processes. Data were collected by the author in Saudi Arabia from various government agencies and other sources.;Rapid development in Saudi Arabia has had significant impacts on many aspects of social life in the country. This research examines the impact of development on social structures, on family, on tribe, on crime, on demography, and on Saudi values and attitudes. In the concluding sections, the research provides some recommendations to development planners in Saudi Arabia and to Westerners visiting the country.;This study traces the evolution of the meaning of development, presents and evaluates different theoretical models of development, and then applies them to the Saudi experience. The Islamic heritage of Saudi Arabia and its domination over most aspects of life, including development, is presented in detail. Development planning in Saudi Arabia is examined through analysis of the goals, achievements, and problems of the last three development plans (1970-1985). Industry and agriculture are given special attention in this research. Their goals, policies, achievements, and obstacles are presented and evaluated. |
