Essential Question: What are the similarities and

differences in leadership, voting rights, and personal freedoms in Israel, Saudi

Arabia, and Iran?Standard:SS7CG5a. 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.

Governments of the Middle East Activator

Government Matching Pair Cards

Form of Leadership

Chief of State:Leader of a country who represents the state at official and

ceremonial functions, but who

may not be involved with the day-to-day

activities of the government.

Head of Government:A country’s top administrative leader who is designated to

manage the day-to-day activities of the

government.

Form of Leadership

Chief of State Head of Government

Use the Middle East Government Chart

Israel

Israel is a Unitary System with a Parliamentary

Democracy

How is power distributed? How do citizens participate?

Israel

Structure of Government: Israel

Israel has a unitary system of government where the central

government in Jerusalem handles most government

functions.

Form of Leadership: Israel

The president is the head of state.

The prime minister is the head of government.

Role of the Citizen: Israel

Citizens over 18 can vote for members of

the legislature [Knesset].

Other Facts: Israel

Israel has three branches of government Although it has no constitution, it has

enacted a series of “Basic Laws” that detail fundamental rights.

Some of the recent human rights problems include: [http://

www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]

o discrimination against Arabs in terms of equal education and job opportunity

o discrimination against womeno terrorist attacks against citizens

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy.What does that

mean?

Saudi Arabia

Structure of Government: Saudi

Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy. The right of

succession is hereditary.

Form of Leadership: Saudi

ArabiaThe king is both chief of state and head of

government. The king’s power is limited

by Islamic law.

Role of the Citizen: Saudi Arabia

Male citizens over 21 can vote.

Other Facts: Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia does not have a constitution as Islamic law governs.

Saudi Arabia does not have a legislature or political parties. [In 2011, the country held elections on a nonparty basis for half of the seats on the municipal councils around the country, but women were not able to vote or run]

Some of the human rights problems include: [http://

www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]

o Citizens’ lack of the right and legal means to change their government

o Restrictions on universal rights such as freedom of expression, including on the internet, and freedom of assembly, association, movement, and religion

o A lack of equal rights for women, children, and noncitizen workers.

IranIran is a theocratic

republic with a presidential system.

What does that mean?

Iran

Structure of Government: Iran

Iran is a theocratic republic with a presidential system. The government of Iran is

based on Islamic law.

Form of Leadership: Iran

The chief of state is the Supreme Leader of Iran, who is a religious leader and has

the final say on all matters.

The Supreme Leader does control some executive power such as commander-in-

chief of the armed forces.

The head of government is the president, but he may be removed by

the Supreme Leader at any time.

Role of the Citizen: Iran

Citizens over 18 can vote.

Other Facts: Iran Iran has an elected legislative branch The president is elected by popular

vote, but the Supreme Leader who is appointed for life has more power.

Some of the human rights problems include: [http://

www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]

oThe government’s manipulation of the electoral process, which severely limited citizens’ right to change their government peacefully through free and fair elections

Other Facts: Iran Some of the human rights problems include: [

http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]

o Politically motivated violence and repressiono Denial of fair public trialso Lack of an independent judiciary [courts]o Ineffective implementation of civil court

procedureso Interference with privacy, family, home, and

correspondenceo Severe restrictions on freedoms of speech

(including via the internet) and presso Severe restrictions on academic freedomo Severe restrictions on the freedoms of assembly,

association, and religiono Some restrictions on freedom of movement

Use your Government Chart to Complete the

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