The Middle East (Southwest Asia) FSMS 7th Grade Social Studies; Unit 2 Governance (Role of Religion) September 28th – 30th; Days 25-26 Georgia Standard SS7CG5(a)

The Middle East Government/Civic Understandings Standard SS7CG5 The student will explain the structures of the national governments of Southwest Asia (Middle East). (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.

FIRST FIVE AGENDA MESSAGE: TODAY is the deadline for all late/missing assignments before Progress Reports come out on Wednesday November 8th. No school Tuesday for Election Day. Standard: Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Monday; 11/6/17: Which government in SWA is most like that of the United States? Warm Up: What two forms of government best describe the United States? TODAY WE WILL Review Governmental Structure (Distribution of Power & Citizen Participation) Introduce the Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran

SWA Comparative Governments E.Q. Answer for Monday, November 6th: Israel has a Parliamentary Democracy while the U.S. has a Presidential Democracy Warm-Up Answer: Federal System (governmental power is shared equally between the Central government & local governments) & Presidential Democracy (People vote directly for the President)

FIRST FIVE AGENDA MESSAGE: ELECTION DAY. SCHOOL HOLIDAY FOR STUDENTS. Standard: Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Tuesday; 11/7/17: No E.Q. Today. Warm Up: No Warm-Up Today. TODAY WE WILL

FIRST FIVE AGENDA: Progress Reports go home TODAY. Homework Assignment, Writing Prompt: Write 2-paragraphs about the recent changes in the Saudi Arabian government over the weekend. Due TOMORROW! Standard: Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Wednesday; 11/8/17: Which country has recently experience a major shift in their government? Warm Up: Name the head of state in a Parliamentary democracy. TODAY WE WILL Government Structure and Citizen Participation Comparative Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran

SWA Comparative Governments E.Q. Answer for Wednesday, November 8th: At least 11 princes and dozens of government ministers were arrested in a surprise anti-corruption purge launched by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the next in line to the Saudi throne. Warm-Up Answer: The Prime Minister

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran Israel Israel is a parliamentary democracy. It has a government in which the people elect representatives from a group of different political parties.

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran Israel cont. The Israeli parliament is called the Knesset and its leader is called the Prime Minister. There are several main political parties in the Knesset, but there are also many smaller parties represented.

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Israel cont. All Israeli citizens over the age of 18 are allowed to vote for members of the Knesset. While most of Israel’s Jewish citizens see themselves as secular, (meaning they do not feel the country’s laws should be based solely on religious beliefs) many Israeli laws are influenced by the Orthodox Jews, (those who want government policy to be made according to religious law). Orthodox Jews represent about 25% of the Israeli population.

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Israel cont. Elections are held every four years, unless the party in power begins to lose the support or confidence of a majority of the Knesset members. In that case, elections for a new Knesset may be held earlier than scheduled.

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia is ruled by a hereditary monarchy, which means the government is led by a king who comes from a family that has ruled the country for several generations. The king of Saudi Arabia has been a member of the al-Saud family since the 1920’s. The king and his advisors, many of whom are his family members or influential business and religious leaders in the country, make the laws.

FIRST FIVE AGENDA: Pop-Quiz Today on Government Structure! Standard: Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. Thursday; 11/9/17: What are the two forms of democracy? Warm Up: Name the head of state in a Parliamentary democracy. TODAY WE WILL Democracy Comparative Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for Thursday, November 9th: Warm-Up Answer: Presidential Democracy Parliamentary Democracy Warm-Up Answer: Prime Minister

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Saudi Arabia cont. There is no constitution, and the king rules for life. The people do not choose the king. When a king dies, the Saudi family announces who the next king will be from among their male family members. Much of Saudi law is based on what these religious leaders say is law found in the Quran, the Muslim holy book. Laws based on the teachings of the Quran are known as Shariah law. Nearly all Saudi citizens are Muslims.

FIRST FIVE AGENDA MESSAGE: THANK A VETERAN TODAY FOR SERVING OUR COUNTRY & PROTECTING OUR FREEDOMS! Standard: Compare the governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran focusing on the form of leadership and the role of the citizen (voting rights & personal freedom). E.Q. for Friday; 11/10/17: What unique form of government does Iran have? Warm Up: What are the similarities and differences between a Presidential & Parliamentary Democracy? TODAY WE WILL Comparative Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran

ANSWERS E.Q. Answer for Friday November 10, 2017: Iran is a “Theocracy” where God is seen as the head of the government. As a result religious leaders have a major role in government. Warm-Up: Similarities: People vote in both Differences: Titles of Heads of government (President vs. Prime Minister) How the President & Prime Minister are elected, the President is elected by a direct vote of the people in one step. The Prime Minister is first elected to Parliament and only then is elected Prime Minister by the Parliament in two steps. The Prime Minister always serves in a dual role as a Prime Minister and as a member of Parliament The President serves as President only

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran A theocracy is a government in which God is seen as the true leader of the government and the country’s religious leaders also serve as it’s political leaders. Iran is interesting, because even though the country does have a popularly elected president and legislature, religious leaders also play an important role in the government’s leadership. As a result some classify Iran as a theocratic republic. Iranian citizens over the age of 16 are eligible to vote in elections.

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran cont. Most Iranians are members of the Shia sect of Islam. The Shia generally believe that their religious leaders should play an active role in making political decisions, so many Shia clerics (or religious leaders) are also involved in Iranian politics. Many of these religious leaders take the title Ayatollah. (This is a title given to Shia religious leaders who have been recognized for their scholarship and understanding of religious law).

The Middle East Government/Civics Understandings Israel/Saudi Arabia/Iran cont. Iran cont. Because Iran has so much oil wealth and is a leading member of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), the decisions made by the Iranian government have an impact on economies of countries all around the world.