The Shura Experiment in Saudi Arabia
Daoud Shirian Al-Hayat - 18/04/07//
The experiment of the Shura (consultation) as a political institution in Saudi Arabia goes back more than eight decades. It began with the first phase of consolidation of the Kingdom by King Abdul Aziz bin Abdul Rahman al-Saud. However, this nascent institution was not a priority in a State facing the challenge of unification, curtailing the forces of dispersion and fragmentation, and fighting against poverty, ignorance and disease. Not to mention that it was not a requirement for a community that lacked the most basic elements of modern life. So the experiment remained on the sidelines of political and social life until 1993, when it experienced a qualitative leap to keep abreast of the huge new developments witnessed by Saudi Arabia, so the Shura Council was restructured to its current form. While the method of selection of Council members was remarkable and encouraging, relying as it did on society's elite of engineers, doctors, lawyers and businessmen, the powers of the new council were not clear, and perhaps the controversy that accompanied the Council helped to lower the ceiling of the public's expectations of the new council. Nonetheless, the optimists stuck to their guns, relying on the fact that the formation of the Council did not arise from internal or external pressure. This is alongside the fact that the remaking of the Council came within the framework of the institutionalization of the system of governance in Saudi Arabia, and coincided with the issuance of its new systems of governance and regional governance, which means that the new Council is intended to play a political role in the future.
It has been 14 years to the day since the Council was formed, and comparing its activities in its first year to its contemporary political and social role reinforces the optimists' position as regards to this experiment. This is because it has moved from a purely advisory role to the position of a partner in decision-making, as expressed in the words of King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, in his speech during the inauguration of the third year of the fourth session of the Shura Council. The designation of 'partner' that was made by the King was not an expression of an expected role so much as an affirmation of the gains already made by the Council. This is because the Shura Council today enjoys a direct channel of communication with the citizenry, receiving their complaints and holding discussions with ministers and proposing regulations, while making objections to regulations and treaties. During its fourth session, the number of decisions issued by the Shura Council that have been forwarded to the Cabinet reached 60, most of which concern the conduct of government agencies and the control and rationalization of government spending. However, in spite of all these achievements, there are those who undervalue the significance of the experiment, basing this position on the issue of election and appointment. So long as the Shura Council is based on the principle of the appointment of its members instead of being elected by the people, the supervisory role it plays vis-à-vis the government will remain a matter open to debate. Beginning the experiment of election after these years is a must in order to complete the objectivity of this vital role.
Undoubtedly, the move from appointment to election is a settled issue, a step which is being circulated in the corridors of decision-making in the Kingdom since the first day the Council took on its new shape. But this step demands more time, or so is the view of some of the Council members, and one of them said: during its four sessions, the Council has been able to accomplish a lot, creating for itself a leading role to the point of becoming a partner in decision-making and on sensitive and high levels. Its success is due to several reasons, most notably that there is a political desire to give the Council a role in political and social life. Another reason is that the Council adopted the principle of qualification in recruitment from the outset, thus surpassing the usual tribal, sectarian and regional standards. Appointment stemmed from purely national goals. Alas, it seems that this approach has not yet taken root in the consciousness of the people, and evidence of this can be found in the experiment of the local council elections. Factors completely unrelated to qualifications intervened, such as tribalism, sectarianism and regionalism, while the issue of intellectual movements was raised in these elections - liberal and Islamic, among others. The speaker added: I won't lie to you and say that the experience of the local elections reinforced fears that the Shura Council elections, if and when they begin, will turn into a means of fueling friction. That is also bearing in mind that the electoral experiences in the region, particularly in Iraq, were a strong factor in the case for giving the issue more time. After all, the Shura Council is meant to become a political institution that enhances national unity and enshrines its essence, not turning it into a means of fueling conflicts and prejudices, an arena for settling petty scores under the banner of democracy. He added: I know that there are those who will say that I am defending the principle of the appointment because I am part of the experiment, but we respond to those who are skeptical of our experiment with reference to practice. The Shura Council today plays a greater role than that played by most elected parliaments in the region. It is true that we do not use intense words to describe the actions we are taking, and we are not eager to tickle the fancy of the masses, such as raising the slogan of interrogating ministers. But the reality of what is going on is a form of questioning. Isn't open and transparent discussion and raising objections to the conduct this ministry or rejecting this or that regulation, and amending the plans of some ministers, an overall cross-examination in itself? It all depends on the results at the end of the day, and we are willing to be patient on the issue of elections, for a long or short period, if we are achieving the goal of a parliament in this political cycle. He concluded by saying: I would like to draw your attention to the speech delivered by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques last Saturday before the Shura Council, when he indicated his pride over the municipal elections, describing them as impartial and honorable. Bringing up this reference to the issue of elections in front of the Shura Council members cuts a lot of talk short, and blocks the path in front of those who talk about refusal or the sensitivity of this subject. Yet, the lesson to be learned over elections is not in fairness alone, but in the basis on which the people use to exercise their electoral right.
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