Woman sprays Saudi religious police with tearing irritant

SAUDI ARABIA: A BRIEF GUIDE TO ITS POLITICS AND PROBLEMS
By Nimrod Raphaeli
This article examines the familial structure of the Saudi ruling oligarchy and considers this regime’s performance given the economic and demographic challenges it faces.
Oligarchy is a form of government where a few rule the many. In Saudi Arabia, the few are predominantly royal male princes who are all descended from the founder of the modern Saudi kingdom, King Abd al-Aziz who, upon his death in 1953, left behind 44 sons (and an uncounted number of daughters) by 17 wives. Today, Saudi Arabia’s ruling structure is capped by a unique, almost unprecedented, form of oligarchy, whose members are connected through a bloodline to Saudi Arabia's polygamous founder. The princes have treated the country's wealth of oil and minerals as their personal domain and made themselves famous for their extravagant life style. Some princes have accumulated enormous personal wealth; with King Fahd bin Abd al-Aziz, the reigning monarch, topping the list with a personal fortune estimated at $20 billion.(1)
This particular system has important implications for Saudi society, politics, and policies. It is also a central consideration for pondering any future reform or development in the country.

(I don't care how long it takes them to enter the 21st century as long as they don't force their mohammadanism upon us...and learn to reciprocate some of the freedoms they enjoy when they live in our countries!)

The prohabition for non muslims entering Mecca predates the House of Saud rule. Mecca has been forbidden I think for ever.

The article described the government pretty well. It most closely resembles a corporate board of directors with the king serving as chairman. It also has the ancient Arabian elements of the majalis where citizens can bring their grieviences.

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