Essential Question: What are the similarities and differences in leadership, voting rights, and personal freedoms in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran? Standard: SS7CG5a. 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.

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Form of Leadership Chief of State: Head of Government: Leader of a country who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions, but who may not be involved with the day-to-day activities of the government. Head of Government: A country’s top administrative leader who is designated to manage the day-to-day activities of the government.

Form of Leadership Chief of State Head of Government

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Israel is a Unitary System with a Parliamentary Democracy How is power distributed? How do citizens participate?

Israel

Structure of Government: Israel Israel has a unitary system of government where the central government in Jerusalem handles most government functions.

Form of Leadership: Israel The president is the head of state. The prime minister is the head of government.

Role of the Citizen: Israel Citizens over 18 can vote for members of the legislature [Knesset].

Other Facts: Israel Israel has three branches of government Although it has no constitution, it has enacted a series of “Basic Laws” that detail fundamental rights. Some of the recent human rights problems include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper] discrimination against Arabs in terms of equal education and job opportunity discrimination against women terrorist attacks against citizens

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. What does that mean?

Saudi Arabia

Structure of Government: Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. The right of succession is hereditary.

Form of Leadership: Saudi Arabia The king is both chief of state and head of government. The king’s power is limited by Islamic law.

Role of the Citizen: Saudi Arabia Male citizens over 21 can vote.

Other Facts: Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia does not have a constitution as Islamic law governs. Saudi Arabia does not have a legislature or political parties. [In 2011, the country held elections on a nonparty basis for half of the seats on the municipal councils around the country, but women were not able to vote or run] Some of the human rights problems include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper] Citizens’ lack of the right and legal means to change their government Restrictions on universal rights such as freedom of expression, including on the internet, and freedom of assembly, association, movement, and religion A lack of equal rights for women, children, and noncitizen workers.

Iran is a theocratic republic with a presidential system. What does that mean?

Iran

Structure of Government: Iran Iran is a theocratic republic with a presidential system. The government of Iran is based on Islamic law.

Form of Leadership: Iran The chief of state is the Supreme Leader of Iran, who is a religious leader and has the final say on all matters. The Supreme Leader does control some executive power such as commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The head of government is the president, but he may be removed by the Supreme Leader at any time.

Role of the Citizen: Iran Citizens over 18 can vote.

Other Facts: Iran Iran has an elected legislative branch The president is elected by popular vote, but the Supreme Leader who is appointed for life has more power. Some of the human rights problems include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper] The government’s manipulation of the electoral process, which severely limited citizens’ right to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections

Other Facts: Iran Some of the human rights problems include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper] Politically motivated violence and repression Denial of fair public trials Lack of an independent judiciary [courts] Ineffective implementation of civil court procedures Interference with privacy, family, home, and correspondence Severe restrictions on freedoms of speech (including via the internet) and press Severe restrictions on academic freedom Severe restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, association, and religion Some restrictions on freedom of movement

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