Color Me Green: Saudi Arabian Identity and the Manifestations of Power

This study examines tribal, Islamic, and national identity in Saudi Arabia and the
relationship between identity and socio-political institutions as agencies of the Saudi
state. The Western understanding of identity differs from the understanding of identity in
Saudi Arabia. An examination of the Other in Saudi society is a critical component
toward understanding the concept of identity in Saudi Arabia.
The ability of state structures to use socio-political institutions as integrating
mechanisms that provide assistance to communities is commendable. Yet, when those
same institutions assume a critical role in identity formation, reproduction, and/or
oppression, then an examination of those institutions to ascertain whether or not they are
representative of the communities or merely the state structure should be undertaken.
This study examines the effects of the imposition of state structures of power on
historical tribal and Islamic communities.