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> So it sounds like they at least want to shed the more regressive parts of the traditional Islamic culture in Saudi Arabia to bring in international visitors w
by microcolonel 9y ago
> So it sounds like they at least want to shed the more regressive parts of the traditional Islamic culture in Saudi Arabia to bring in international visitors who are reticent to visit or invest in Saudi Arabia because of the way the laws treat women/homosexuals/etc.
It seems more like they're just dancing around the issue to me. Neom is still under the full control of a Sunni theocracy, it just has separate regulatory structures, like a SEZ in China.
- rtkwe 9y agoJust taking the FAQ at face value it seems like they will have free reign to decide what the laws are surrounding issues like this inside Zeom. Just going by the language there they'll be able to set their own laws about those issues. Of course that could all be just fluff and come to nothing but I think they know it's in their own self interest to open up and give this area more autonomy than the special economic zones in China in order to appease and attract investors/tourism without having to change the culture of the actual country.
- Udik 9y agoIs it easier to change the culture and the way of life of a country by introducing changes at a slow, steady pace, over a long period of time; or is it easier to do it by introducing abrupt changes in a small area, and then extend the area progressively until it covers the whole country? Might be what they're trying to do?
- forkLding 9y agoLike in Hong Kong? In the end, its up to the government, and I dont think they want to abolish the absolute monarchy and introduce in democracy yet as it takes away the power of the Al-Saud family and might leave them vulnerable to political enemies
- TheSpiceIsLife 9y agoI don't believe absolute monarchy and liberal society are necessarily mutually exclusive.