The Bin Salman Neopatrimonialism and Exacerbating the Challenge of the Nation-State in Saudi Arabia; Origins and Consequences

After Bin Salman’s bcoming Crown prince, and some corrective policies, it seemed that the Saudi should witness a grow in the process of democratization and political development, together with the US support; but not only has this issue not happened, even the political structure of Saudi Arabia became more and more neopatrimonialist. Therefore, in this paper, the authors' aim was to explain the achievements of the neo-patrimonialist government of Bin Salman and its possible consequences. In this paper, the method is analytical-descriptive. Bin Salman's neo-patrimonialism led to an escalation of the challenge between the nation-state and issues such as the execution and suppression of the Shiites, the isolation of some Sunni scholars and the assassination of some of the emerging civil society elites. Three major internal, regional and international consequences are due to the new policy of Bin Salman. First, the intensification of the activities of non-governmental and civilian organizations in Saudi Arabia, exacerbation of tensions such as peril, assassination, protest and strike, and finally, the emergence of opposition movements like the Al-Karaama movement. At the regional level, the gradual decline of the Gulf Cooperation Council will be the most likely outcome of this issue. Finally, threat and punishment of international opinion and the revision of Western supporters and allies in the absolute support of the newly established government of Bin Salman in Saudi Arabia can be a response to the policies of his Neopotrimonial rule.