ABSTRACT
The technocratic elite seemed to enjoy wealth and prestige in addition to enormous power and some, such as Zaki Yamani, were considered all-powerful in the West. The new elites' growing criticism of the royal family's corrupt practices and extravagance, while many of the former benefited far more from the commission system and kickbacks, hardened the ruling class's opposition to 'democratise' the regime. The new elites were polarised by social status determined by position, income, level of education, origin, and connections with the ruling class. The Saudi 'lower classes', with the exception of an insignificant element, faithfully support the regime, its policy and the conservative Wahhabi character of the Saudi kingdom. Oil wealth and its distribution to all levels of Saudis through welfare services, subsidies and the like, and by the senior princes directly to their constituencies, helped maintain the links between the regime and the people. Young, educated and dynamic princes gradually replaced ineffective provincial governors of the older generation.
