Middle East Government SS7CG3 Compare and contrast various forms of government.

Autocratic government in which one person possesses unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role in the government. (like a dictatorship or even a monarchy)

Democratic a government in which the supreme power is vested in the people an exercised by them directly or indirectly through a system of representation usually involving periodically held free elections.

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION Below are citizen participation examples AUTOCRATIC DEMOCRATIC Government where one person has unlimited power and the citizen has little if any role or rights. Government where the citizens have all the power either directly or indirectly through free elections. SAUDI ARABIA ISRAEL, TURKEY

Parliamentary (Israel & Turkey) 2 Types of Democracies Presidential (USA) Parliamentary (Israel & Turkey)

Parliamentary a democracy having a parliament, a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature. May have a Prime Minister elected by the legislature.

Presidential a system of government in which the president is constitutionally independent of the legislature.

Israel Legislative branch – “Knesset” (think of “Congress) Citizens vote for members of the Knesset, but cannot vote for the Prime Minister. This is a big difference compared to a presidential democracy. Men & women can vote – 18 years + Law provides for right to vote, freedom of speech (except if it risks national security), freedom of religion, right to privacy, right to fair trial etc. However, many instances exist of prejudice against its Arab citizens.

Turkey Legislative branch- “Grand National Assembly of Turkey”- 600 members Prime Minister – head of government, appointed by the president President- head of state, represents the country elected by the people

Monarchy a form of government in which supreme authority is held by a single hereditary ruler, such as a king

Saudi Arabia A monarch (king) is the hereditary ruler, usually the first born son of the king (birthright), no election. In Muslim monarchies a female cannot become queen like in other countries. The king and his relatives are known as royal families and usually control the wealth of a country. Only men 21 and over can vote when the government allows “sometimes” Human rights in Saudi Arabia are based on Sharia. Many political freedoms do not exist. Capital punishment given without due process. Religious and political minorities as well as women do not have many rights.