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University of Bradford Ethesis A Possible Framework for Analysing National Security. The Saudi Arabian Perspective. Item Type Thesis Authors Nasif, Mahmoud Abdullah Rights <a rel="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by-nc-nd/3.0/"><img alt="Creative Commons License" style="border-width:0" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by- nc-nd/3.0/88x31.png" /></a><br />The University of Bradford theses are licenced under a <a rel="license" href="http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/">Creative Commons Licence</a>. Download date 27/09/2021 15:48:31 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10454/7272 University of Bradford eThesis This thesis is hosted in Bradford Scholars – The University of Bradford Open Access repository. Visit the repository for full metadata or to contact the repository team © University of Bradford. This work is licenced for reuse under a Creative Commons Licence. A Possible Framework for Analysing National Security The Saudi Arabian Perspective Mahmoud Abdullah NASIF Submitted for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy School of Social and International Studies University of Bradford 2014 i M. A. NASIF A Possible Framework for Analysing National Security The Saudi Arabian Perspective ii Abstract This study will focus on explaining the dynamics of Saudi Arabia’s national security. In explaining these dynamics, the study will consider two of Buzan’s frameworks for analysing national security. Further enhancement will be given by conceptualising specific assumptions about Saudi Arabia’s national security – these will be based on the manner in which certain features are utilised within the Saudi state. Semi- structured interviews will be utilised to examine the findings from the adapted frameworks. By studying the state’s domestic, regional and international concerns, as well as the specific threats that each level pose with regards to several security sectors (including the: social, political, economic, militant and environmental), this study will provide a distinctive analysis of national security within the Saudi state. Initially, this study acknowledges that only a few studies have been conducted into Saudi Arabia’s national security; furthermore, these have focused on the internal perspective by considering Saudi national security in terms of its military and strategic partnerships. Secondly, the study proposes that Saudi Arabia is unique (and unlike any other state) as it holds various important social and religious aspects that are not fully understood by external sources. Consequently, this study conceptualises Saudi national security from the internal perspective by considering the Saudi state’s specific features. Keywords National Security, Saudi Arabia, Gulf Region, Security Theories, Semi-Structured Interviews. iii Acknowledgements In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful. Praise be to Allah, the lord of the worlds. And the blessings and the peace be upon the last messenger of Allah, Mohammed (peace be upon him). First and foremost, thanks and praise to Allah, the most Gracious and most Merciful. I would like to express my deepest gratitude and thankfulness to Professor Paul Rogers and Dr Davina Miller for providing me with this research opportunity. They have both provided continued support, guidance and encouragement throughout the course of this study. I would like to give special thanks for the assistance and support from all of the academic and administrative staff of the Peace Studies department. I’m also extremely grateful to the Government of Saudi Arabia – represented by the Ministry of Higher Education and King Abdul Aziz University – for providing the necessary financial support which has allowed me to undertake this research. This support is gratefully acknowledged. In addition, I would like to express sincere gratefulness and appreciation to my parents, my wife and my daughters, Yasmeen and Hind, for their love, patience, constant encouragement and continuous support. I also wish to thank all of my brothers and sisters; in addition, I am extremely thankful to my brother Omar who supported and encouraged me throughout my PhD journey. I am also thankful to my friends, Islam Amer and Hussam al-Hifzi, who provided much needed friendship, support and advice during my studies. Lastly, I am sincerely grateful to Sultan Chowrdy who provided encouragement, discussion and guidance throughout the duration of my research. iv Table of Contents Abstract....................................................................................................................... iii Keywords .................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements .....................................................................................................iv Table of Contents .........................................................................................................v List of Figures..............................................................................................................ix List of Tables ................................................................................................................x List of Abbreviations ..................................................................................................xi Chapter 1 ......................................................................................................................1 Introduction..................................................................................................................1 1.1 Research Background and Problem ........................................................................2 1.2 Research Questions.....................................................................................................5 1.3 Research Hypotheses.................................................................................................6 1.4 Purpose of the Study..................................................................................................7 1.5 Importance of the Study............................................................................................8 1.6 Research Methodology ..............................................................................................9 1.7 Outline of the Thesis................................................................................................12 1.8 Summary ..................................................................................................................14 Chapter 2 ....................................................................................................................15 Research Methodology ..............................................................................................15 2.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................16 2.2 Research Setting, Objectives and Variables..........................................................17 2.3 Research Philosophies .............................................................................................19 2.3.1 Ontology.............................................................................................................21 2.3.2 Epistemology......................................................................................................22 2.3.3 Axiology..............................................................................................................23 2.4 Research Data Collection Approach.....................................................................25 2.4.1 Qualitative vs. Quantitative Approaches.............................................................26 2.4.2 Deductive vs. Inductive Approach .....................................................................28 2.5 Research Strategy ....................................................................................................29 2.5.1 Sampling and Participants..................................................................................33 2.5.2 Conducting the Interview ...................................................................................35 2.5.3 Rationale for the In-Depth Interviews................................................................38 2.5.4 Actions.................................................................................................................39 2.5.5 Qualitative Data Analysis...................................................................................40 2.5.6 Presentation and Analysis of Interviews ............................................................42 2.5.7 Reliability and Validity ......................................................................................45 2.6 Conceptual Framework for the Study ...................................................................46 2.7 Ethical Issues............................................................................................................47 2.8 Conclusion .................................................................................................................49 Chapter 3 ....................................................................................................................50 Locating Security Theories: Understanding Saudi National Security..................50 3.1 Introduction..............................................................................................................51 3.2 The Meaning of Security and National Security...................................................52
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