Saudi women behind the wheels: why the Saudi government lifted the driving ban on women

Abstract

This paper discusses why the Saudi government lifted the driving ban on women. Through the framework of social constructivism the paper examines three factors that could drive the government: campaigns against the ban, and Saudi Arabia’s economic, and international situation. The hypothesis is that the first two factors were not sufficient conditions in the process, but the economic stuation created a window of opportunity. The methodology is the review of the literature and media news coverage, an interview with an expert, and the analysis of Saudi citizens’ manifestations on social media. The study concludes that the campaigns and the foreign policy were not sufficient conditions, but the economic situation of Saudi Arabia led to the policy change.