Feeling at Peace. Emotions in Saudi Arabia`s Relations to Iran

Abstract

Emotions in theories of international relations have gained prominence the past years,but this is still an underdeveloped and neglected contribution in understanding relations between states. Daniel Shapiro (2010) has developed a theory in the cross section of international relations and cognitive theory. His Relational Identity Theory highlights important implications of emotional concerns that a group experiences towards another group. This thesis investigates how the study of emotions in international relations can help us understand Saudi relations to Iran between 2011 and 2014 in a new way beyond traditional theories of international relations. It examines the official Saudi discourse on Iran to illuminate the type of emotional concerns that are embedded in the discourse, and what preconditions and possible changes for Saudi foreign policy this entails. The relational identity theory explains that the implications of these emotional concerns frame the regional environment in such a way that the Saudi political elite is facing strong incentives to disregard cooperation and prospects of mutual gains with Iran. This case study shows in a very concrete way how the relational identity theory can be applied, and what additional information can be gained from such a study.