Leaders | A new social contract in the Gulf

Arab petrostates must prepare their citizens for a post-oil future

Better schools and a political voice would be a start

Saudi fans attend the "MDL Beast Fest", an electronic music festival, held in Banban on the outskirts of the Saudi capital Riyadh on December 19, 2019. - Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Prince Mohammed has sought to shake off his country's ultra-conservative image -- lifting a ban on cinemas and women drivers while allowing gender-mixed concerts and sporting extravaganzas. The relaxed social norms in a kingdom have been welcomed by many Saudis, two-thirds of whom are under 30. (Photo by Fayez Nureldine / AFP) (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images) — Image: Getty Images

Feb 9th 2023

Fancy going to a rave in Saudi Arabia? The countries of the Gulf face a daunting transition away from fossil fuels in the coming decades. But another transition is happening in parallel that is just as striking: a shift from state-led economies and conservative social norms towards somewhat more liberal and open societies. That prospect is thrilling. Millions of people will enjoy new freedoms and opportunities. But it is also disconcerting, because it brings the risk of social instability if autocratic governments fail to adapt. Whether the Gulf countries succeed in redrawing their social contracts matters not only to their people, but also to the world, because of their clout in oil and gas and their role in exporting cultural values across the Muslim world.

This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Hedonism in the desert”