Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran Comparison Matrix

State of Israel Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership Parliamentary Democracy DemocraticUnitary -Prime Minister - “President” (ceremonial)

State of Israel continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen Parliament is called Knesset 120 members elected to 4 year terms All citizens can vote at the age of 18 Participate in free and fair elections Freedom of speech and the media – citizens are allowed to criticize the govt. Men and women have equal rights

Checking for Understanding Circle the correct answer A.Israel is a parliamentary democracy. True or False B. President is elected by the Knesset (parliament). True or False

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership MonarchyAutocraticUnitaryKing

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen King has a Consultative Council that advises him –150 seats; appointed by the king (in the future half the of council will be elected) citizens are not allowed to vote for the king “Majlis” are open meetings to petition King or other officials Legal system is based on Sharia law system men over the age of 21 can vote if they ever have an election Citizens cannot criticize the government or its leaders No freedom of speech or press Must follow strict social and religious rules

Checking for Understanding Circle the correct answer 1.The right of succession is hereditary (passed down through the family). True or False 2. The role of the citizen in Saudi Arabia is to obey the King. True or False

Islamic Republic of Iran Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership Theocracy (even though they call themselves a Parliamentary Democracy) Oligarchic (or Autocratic, depending on who you ask) Unitary chief of state Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini- KHAMENEI Ceremonial head of state is “President” Mahmud AHMADI- NEJAD

Islamic Republic of Iran Islamic Republic of Iran continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen Assembly of Experts -86 elected religious scholars Expediency Council -authority over the all three branches of government Council of Guardians - six clerics that determine if legislation is in accord with Sharia Islamic Consultative assembly 290 seats; members elected to 4 year terms All citizens over 16 can vote for Consultative Assembly Citizens cannot vote for the Supreme Leader, chosen by Assembly of Experts Legal system is based on Sharia law system Citizens cannot criticize the government or its leaders No freedom of speech or press Must follow strict social and religious rules

Checking for Understanding Circle the correct answer 1. Iran is a theocratic republic with a presidential system. True or False 2. The Supreme Leader is selected by the Council of Experts. True or False

Governments of Israel, Saudi Arabia, & Iran Comparison Matrix

State of Israel Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership Parliamentary Democracy DemocraticUnitary -Prime Minister - “President” (ceremonial)

State of Israel continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen Parliament is called Knesset 120 members elected to 4 year terms All citizens can vote at the age of 18 Participate in free and fair elections Freedom of speech and the media – citizens are allowed to criticize the govt. Men and women have equal rights

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership MonarchyAutocraticUnitaryKing

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Kingdom of Saudi Arabia continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen King has a Consultative Council that advises him –150 seats; appointed by the king (in the future half the of council will be elected) citizens are not allowed to vote for the king “Majlis” are open meetings to petition King or other officials Legal system is based on Sharia law system men over the age of 21 can vote if they ever have an election Citizens cannot criticize the government or its leaders No freedom of speech or press Must follow strict social and religious rules

Islamic Republic of Iran Type of Government Autocratic, Oligarchic, or Democratic? Unitary or Federal? Form of Leadership Theocracy (even though they call themselves a Parliamentary Democracy) Oligarchic (or Autocratic, depending on who you ask) Unitary chief of state Supreme Leader Ali Hoseini- KHAMENEI Ceremonial head of state is “President” Mahmud AHMADI- NEJAD

Islamic Republic of Iran Islamic Republic of Iran continued Type of Legislature Role of Citizen – Voting Rights Personal Freedoms of the citizen Assembly of Experts -86 elected religious scholars Expediency Council -authority over all three branches of government Council of Guardians - six clerics that determine if legislation is in accord with Sharia Islamic Consultative assembly 290 seats; members elected to 4 year terms All citizens over 16 can vote for Consultative Assembly Citizens cannot vote for the Supreme Leader, chosen by Assembly of Experts Legal system is based on Sharia law system Citizens cannot criticize the government or its leaders No freedom of speech or press Must follow strict social and religious rules