2.  Saudi Arabia essentially operates as a near-absolute monarchy. It has no national legislative body, political parties, or democratic elections. The king does not have unfettered power. Saudi Arabia was an absolute monarchy until 1992, at which time the Saud royal family introduced the country's first constitution. The legal system is based on the sharia (Islamic law). he kingdom of Saudi Arabia is almost entirely the creation of King Ibn Saud (1882–1953). A descendant of Wahhabi leaders, he seized Riyadh in 1901 and set himself up as leader of the Arab nationalist movement  http://www.infoplease.com/country/saudi- arabia.html#ixzz31pR0C8b5.

3.  How does the government system affect the rights of women and other minorities in Saudi Arabia?  The Saudi guardianship system continues to treat women as minors. Girls and women of all ages are forbidden from traveling, studying, or working without permission from their male guardians. In 2009 the Ministry of Commerce, though not other ministries, stopped requiring women to conduct ministerial business through a male representative. On September 25 King Abdullah announced that women will be able to vote in municipal elections in 2015. The government continued to exclude women as voters or candidates in the September 2011 municipal elections, despite a two-year delay to allow for logistical preparations to include women. [-http://www.hrw.org/world- report-2012/world-report-2012-saudi-arabia]

4.  What type of government governs Saudi Arabia?  Saudi Arabia has a monarchy. The Basic Law adopted in 1992 declared that Saudi Arabia is a monarchy ruled by the sons and grandsons of King Abdul Aziz Al Saud, and that the Holy Qur'an is the constitution of the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). There are no officially recognized political parties. Following the first municipal elections in 2005, elections to select half of all municipal councilors took place in September 2011. The king has broad powers with limitations coming from a need to observe Shari'a and other Saudi traditions  [-http://globaledge.msu.edu/countries/saudi- arabia/government]

5.  What influences its government and politics and how does that differ from the U.S.?  The export of oil influences the Saudi Arabian government. Its differs from the U.S because the U.S depend on the export of oil for the influence's of their government. The Saudi government also exerts considerable influence over the local press in other Arab countries. The Saudi government has signed “media protocols” with the ministries of information in several Arab countries that, in effect, obligate them to censor any news that discusses internal Saudi politics or criticism of state officials.  http://www.cpj.org/attacks96/countries/middleast/s audiarabialinks.html]

6.  What makes a government effective ?  An effective government protects the rights of its people, ensures their protection from foreign invaders, and institutes just laws with the consent of the governed. Of course, this government has never existed anywhere. it's job is to try and please the masses. Also a it’s a government that productive or is capable of producing a result. And also care about its people  [https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid =20061004171020AAay8W7] and [- http://www.thefreedictionary.com/effective]

7.  Is the Saudi Arabian government effective? Explain ?  No Saudi Arabia government is not effective because it does not protect the rights of its people. For example because the women and girls of Saudi Arabia does not have equal rights to men. Therefore they are not protecting the rights of their people. Also there is a problem with terrorism in Saudi Arabia and that’s a sign of not being a effective government  [http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_makes_Saudi_Arab ia_government_effective]

8.  Graphic Organizer—Compare / Contrast Government of Saudi Arabia to United States  Overview – General information on politics and government  Two journal entries  How does the government system affect the rights of women and other minorities in Saudi Arabia?  Focus questions [ 1 paragraph long each question ]