Middle East Governments

SS7CG5 The student will explain the structures of the national governments

of Southwest Asia (Middle East).

Middle East Governments

• Element “a”– Compare the parliamentary democracy of the

State of Israel, the monarchy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the theocracy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting rights and personal freedoms.

State of Israel

• Parliamentary democracy

• Secular, not based on religion

• Leader: Prime Minister, Binyamin NETANYAHU

State of Israel

• Citizens elect representatives to the Knesset (the legislature), the major political party of the Knesset then choose the Prime Minister

• All citizens can vote at the age of 18

• Personal freedoms: speech, press, religion

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Hereditary monarchy

• Based on the Islamic religion

• Leader: King Abdullah

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• King inherits the power

• Men over 21 can vote

• Few personal freedoms, not allowed to speak out against their government, limited human rights

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia has become infamous for its religious police (known by the Arabic word "mutaween"), who have the power to arrest unrelated men and women caught socializing, seize products regarded as "un-Islamic" and enforce Islamic dress codes and dietary laws

Islamic Republic of Iran

• Theocracy- government based on religion

• Political leader is also the religious leader

• Leader: Supreme Leader

• Also have a president

• Hassan Rouhani

Islamic Republic of Iran

• Supreme Leader is chosen by the Assembly of Experts (reigns for life)

• Citizens (men and women) can vote at the age of 18- president is elected

• Few personal freedoms

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