Title: Historiography in Saudi Arabia : globalization and the state in the Middle East /
Authors: Determann, Jörg Matthias.
Publisher: I.B. Tauris,
Year: 2014
Subjects: Historiography Saudi Arabia.; Historiography Middle East.
Abstract: Saudi Arabia is generally and justifiably viewed as a country with some of the fewest democratic institutions and the weakest traditions of pluralism. It is therefore surprising to learn that at least in one corner of the Saudi world, there can be found a plurality of opinions and lively debate. Jorg Matthias Determann brings this element to light by analysing an important field of cultural activity in Saudi Arabia: historical writing. Since the 1920s local, tribal, Shi'i and dynastic histories have contributed to a growing plurality of narratives. Paradoxically, this happened because of the expansion of the Saudi state, including state provision of mass education. It was also due to globalizing processes, such as the spread of the internet. In challenging the widely-held perception of Saudi Arabia as an irredeemably closed and monolithic society, Historiography in Saudi Arabia provides a deeper understanding of modern Arab historiography, the Saudi state, and education and scholarship in the Middle East.
Contents: Introduction -- Histories of a Muslim Arab dynasty -- Particularistic local histories, 1920s to 1970s -- The Saudization of dynastic historiography, 1960s to present -- Asserting towns, tribes and the Shiites in national history, 1970s to present -- Social and economic histories, 1970s to present -- Conclusion.