Makt eller religion? : En teoriprövande studie om konflikten mellan Saudiarabien och Iran

Sammanfattning: The conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran is a long-standing rivalry that began after the Iranian revolution in 1979. The conflict has deep roots in the regional balance of power and in religious differences. The rivalry has manifested itself in many states in the Middle East and where the two countries have taken opposing positions. The rivalry is multifaceted and complex, but this study contributes to a deeper understanding of the factors that give rise to the discernible rivalry. The purpose of the study is based on realism and constructivism as a theoretical framework where the ambition is to clarify to what extent the conflict's causes are characterized by an interest in consolidating power or in religious identity differences. The analysis points out that both theories have well-established arguments, but also highlights the cases where the theories lose their explanatory value.