MIDDLE EASTERNGOVERNMENT SYSTEMS

ISRAEL

SAUDI ARABIA

IRAN

TERMS TO KNOWLEGISLATIVE BRANCH

*Branch of government that makes the laws. A country’s legislative branch or group can be called different names. In the U.S., it’s called Congress. The other branches are executive and judicial.

BICAMERAL

*Means the legislature (division of gov that makes laws) has two chambers.

**Ex.) U.S. Congress (our legislature) has the House of Representatives & the Senate.

***UNICAMERAL – Means legislative group has one chamber.

CHIEF OF STATE

*Represents the country/state at ceremonial functions; but, is not involved in day to day government activities.

HEAD OF GOVERNMENT

*Represents the leader who manages day to day decisions and activities of the government.

PARLIAMENT

*The legislative group in a parliamentary democracy. Similar to our Congress.

ISRAELGOVERNMENT TYPE: Parliamentary Democracy

LEADER(S): President & Prime Minister

-President is head of state (has a ceremonial position similar to Japan’s emperor). -Prime Minister is head of government (has majority of government power).

LEGISLATURE: The legislature is unicameral (what?) and is called the Knesset.

CITIZEN’S ROLE: 18 and older can vote for members of the Knesset.

ISRAELCITIZEN’S ROLE CONTINUED:

VOTING PROCESS

PRIME MINISTERAppointed by President (Chooses head of Majority Party)

PRESIDENT

Elected by Knesset

KNESSET (Legislative Group)Elected by the People

SAUDI ARABIAGOVERNMENT TYPE: Monarchy

LEADER(S): King & Prime Minster. It’s the same person with 2 titles. He is also chief of state and head of government.

-Passed down through the royal family; however, there is a council that elects which family member or prince becomes the next Saudi King. The al-Saud family has been in rule since the 1920’s. -The king rules by listening to religious advisers and following Islamic Sharia Law. What???

LEGISLATURE: Is unicameral. It is called the Consultative Council and the 150 members are appointed by the monarch (king).

CITIZEN’S ROLE: The citizens of Saudi Arabia have no role in the voting process. Government members who are male & 21 participate in electing government officials.

SAUDI ARABIA

VOTING PROCESS

No more election process

Consultative Council (legislative group)

Appointed by king / prime minister

KING / PRIME MINISTERAppointed through the royal family.

CITIZEN’S ROLE CONTINUED:

IRANGOVERNMENT TYPE: Theocratic Republic (Theocracy)

LEADER(S): Supreme Leader of Iran (Ayatollah) & President

-The Supreme Leader is a religious leader/expert who has the final say on all matters. He is the Head of State.-President is head of government. He has the majority of government power; but, the Supreme Leader can over rule him at any time. -Government decisions are based on Islamic Sharia Law.

LEGISLATURE: Unicameral. Called the Islamic Consultative Assembly. Citizens of Iran vote for the members.

CITIZEN’S ROLE: 18 & Universal (men & women can vote).

IRANCITIZEN’S ROLE CONTINUED:

VOTING PROCESS

PRESIDENTElected by the People in a Popular Vote

SUPREME LEADER

Appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts (86 Islamic Religious Scholars)

ISLAMIC CONSULTATIVE ASSEMBLY Elected by the People in a Popular Vote

PLEASE CONSTRUCT A CONTINUUM TO SHOW CITIZEN

PARTICIPATION & PERSONAL FREEDOMS IN ISRAEL, SAUDI

ARABIA, & IRANWEAK STRONG