Petrodollars, having catapulted Saudi Arabia to the forefront of the global economy, now fuel the Kingdon's industrial-development process. The rapid influx of oil-generated funds into this developing country carries its own set of chracteristics and demands. Government officials and Saudi and non-Saudi academicians and industry representatives offer varied views and responses to the economic and international complexities of development. Moving from a general overview to specific economic and political topics, the book emphasizes the importance of carefully developed government growth programs to the creation of a well-balanced and industrially diverse society. Contributors examine the roles of the petroleum sector and technology transfer, trace the interdependence of Saudi Arabia and the industrialized countries, and analyze the roots of indigenous and imported inflation. They also consider Saudi Arabia's new role in international finance and development assistance. A discussion of the special historical and cultural factors that affect the Saudi transition from tribal society to industrialized nation provides a background for understanding the particular human-resource needs and goals of the nation. The book concludes with an analysis of the Third Development Plan as a blueprint of the development objectives and government-spending priorities in manpower, industrialization, and the agricultural and petroleum sectors. 10 figures, 20 tables.