•ISRAEL ISRAEL •IRANIRAN •SAUDI SAUDI ARABIAARABIAComparing & Contrasting SW Asian Comparing & Contrasting SW Asian

GovernmentsGovernments

ISRAELISRAEL

System of Government•Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy•Parliamentary Democracy: Citizens vote for members of the Knesset. •Legislative Branch…UNICAMERAL

•Holds most power in government

•120 members who serve 4-year terms

Leadership•President: Reuven Rivlin (2014)•Head of Country•Ceremonial role, not much power

•Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu•Head of Government

•Knesset • Legislative Branch•(US: Congress:: Israel: Knesset)

Becoming A Leader•President: •Elected by Knesset for a 7-year term

•Prime Minister: •Chosen by Knesset•Head of largest political party in Knesset

•Knesset: •Elected by popular vote by citizens.

Citizen Rights• All citizens 18 years & older can vote for Knesset.

•Can travel in & out of Israel freely, but citizens must carry a blue ID card when traveling across West Bank.

•Basic freedom of speech & press.

SAUDI SAUDI ARABIAARABIA

System of Government•Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy•No Democracy •They are an AUTOCRACY!•Absolute Monarchy•Governed by Sharia law!

Leadership

•King: Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (2005)•Head of the country & government!

Becoming A Leader•You have to be born in the family in order be king!

•Heir: Half-brother Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud•In 2006 a decree was made that created a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but this new system will not go into effect until after Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud becomes king.

Citizen Rights•Must be Muslim to be citizen.•Public practice of any other religion other than Islam is against the law.•Men: 21 & older can vote in local elections.•Women: •Very little freedom•Can vote in local elections•Cannot drive & must dress modestly.

•Limited freedom of press & speech.

IRANIRAN

System of Government•Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy•Presidential Democracy•Theocracy•Governed by Sharia law.

Leadership•Supreme (Religious) Leader:• Known as the AYATOLLAH•Ali Hoseini-Khameni (1989)•Head of the State

•President:•Head of Government•Hassan Rouhani (2013)

Becoming A Leader•Ayatollah (Supreme Leader): •Appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts, a group of religious leaders.

•President: •Elected by popular vote to a 4-year term

Citizen Rights•All citizens 18 & older can vote.•No freedom of press or speech.•Must obey strict Sharia law.•Women: little freedom.