GOD, THE KING AND THE NATION - POLITICAL RHETORIC IN SAUDI-ARABIA IN THE 1990S

This article highlights the importance of political rhetoric in Saudi Arabia after the Gulf War. An ethnographic reading of King Fahd bin-'A bd al-'Aziz's speech of 2 March 1992 highlights the ideological constr uctions surrounding the introduction of three reforms in the country: the Basic Law of Government, the Law of the Consultative Council, and the Law of the Provinces. While the reforms are considered major innov ations, political rhetoric confirms that they are in line with the est ablished tradition of the country. This political speech embodies a tr iangular relationship between God (the source of legitimacy and legisl ation), the king (the guardian of the sacred laws) and the Saudi natio n. This triangular formulation is accompanied by a historical narrativ e to provide legitimacy and continuity with the past.