Dubai, UAE

Southwest Asia Today

Standard SS7CG5The student will explain the structures of the national governments of Southwest Asia (Middle East)a. 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 Middle East

TYPES of GOV’T:Absolute MonarchyDictatorshipAutocracyOligarchyDemocracy

Parliamentary Presidential

TheocracyKing Abdullah (SA), Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

(Ir.),Ayatollah Khomeini (Ir.),Benjamin Netanyahu (Is.)

Israel

Parliamentary DemocracyPrime Minister and Parliament are

elected by the people (exception to the rule)

Parliament known as Knesset (120 members, 4 yr. terms)

Coalition government of many parties. 32 different governments since Israel was established in 1948.

IsraelPrime Minister is Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu President is a ceremonial roleMajor issue is security.All citizens can vote and speak freely.

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia is an Islamic absolute monarchy

(king inherits his position)The Qur'an is declared to be the constitution of

the country, which is governed on the basis of Islamic law (Shari'a). No elections or political parties.

Voting rights: males, age 21 or older; women beginning in 2015

Saudi ArabiaThe King of Saudi Arabia is both head of state and

the head of government, but decisions are made on the based on advice from his brothers (princes), other family members, and some religious leaders.

King Abdallah has ruled since 2005.Law is according to king’s decree.King is the government!

IranIslamic revolution in 1979

Islamic republic Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is

the Head of State. Religious leader – theocracy “Supreme Leader”

according to KoranElection in 2005 of President

– Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Results were disputed Candidates must be approved

prior to running for office. See U.S. as their enemy.

IraqSaddam Hussein (former dictator)was

captured (2003) by U.S. and tried by the Iraqi government.

U.S. has sponsored elections but split between Sunni, Shia, and Kurds has made free elections difficult.

2010 Open and free elections of:Prime Minister – Kamal Al MalikiParliamentary Government

U.S. soldiers are leavingViolence continues to disrupt stability

AfghanistanUnited States – goal

– stabilize and bring democracy.

Constitution set in 2004 with help of N.A.T.O.

Hamad Karzai – president elected in 2009.

Democracy has been slow to grow!

Assessment 1. Israel2. Iran3. Saudi Arabia

a. Democracyb. Monarchyc. Theocracy

A. Ayatollah KhomeiniB. Benjamin

NetanyahuC. King Abdullah

Georgia 7th Grade StandardsCompare and contrast the economic systems

in Israel, Saudi Arabia and TurkeyEvaluate how the literacy rate affects the

standard of livingExplain the primary function of the

Organization of Petroleum Exporting CountriesExplain how most countries have a mixed

economy located on the continuum between pure market and pure command.

Standard of Living vs. Literacy Rate & GDP per capita

Literacy Rate – percentage of the population at a specific age that can read and write

GDP per capita – GDP based on population

Standard of Living – the degree of wealth and material comfort available to the general population of a country.

GDP – total value of all goods and services (Gross Domestic Product)Are literacy rate and GDP linked to standard of

living?

High vs. Low Standards of Living

IsraelLiteracy rate – 97%GDP per capita -

$31,400Manufacturing

Saudi ArabiaLiteracy rate – 79%GDP per capita -

$24,500Oil production

YemenLiteracy rate – 50%GDP per capita -

$2700Oil production

AfghanistanLiteracy rate – 28%GDP per capita -

$900Agriculture

Other Standards of LivingUnited States

Literacy Rate – 99%GDP per person -

$47,200 (312,407,000)Qatar

Literacy Rate – 93.1%GDP per person

$179,000 (< 300,000 people)

IraqLiteracy Rate - 74%GDP per person $3,800

Cuba Literacy Rate 99.9%

Second highest in worldGDP per person -

$9,900

ChinaLiteracy Rate – 95.9%GDP per person -

$7,600Population –

1,346,780,000

World Literacy Map

The Eastern MediterraneanIncludes Turkey*,

Jordan, Israel*, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinian territories

Faced many conflictsStruggle to achieve

peaceCamp David Accords

Not much oil but they do have areas with mild climates and fertile lands

Farming is important

TurkeyMild Mediterranean

climate and largest population (78,000,000)

Agriculture for local useExports cotton and

tobaccoProduces textiles, steel,

and carsGradually moved from

gov’t-directed economy to more private enterprise

75% of people live in cities

IsraelHighly developed

and industrial economy

High tech manufacturing, financial services, and agriculture

Government owns many businesses but is gradually privatizing companies

#24th largest economy in world

Diamond Exchange Area

Arabian PeninsulaSaudi Arabia*, Yemen,

OmanOil exports support

economies Oil discovered in 1930’sMajor suppliers of the w

orld’s energyPetrochemicals

products made from petroleum and natural gas

plastics, cosmetics, detergents, fertilizers, etc.

OPECOrganization of

Petroleum Exporting Countries

Decides how much oil to produce and the price

12 member nations around the world

Saudi ArabiaWorld’s leading producer

of oilSchools, hospitals, roads,

and airports built with oil income

Building new industries to diversify economy

95% of oil industry operated by government

Relies on specialized labor from other countries

Gov’t trying to increase private ownership of business

The Persian Gulf CountriesIncludes Kuwait,

Bahrain, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Profits from oil exports used to build strong, wealthy economies

Education, health care, and other services provided to citizens for free

Diversifying economy in case oil runs out

Economic continuum

Command

Market

••••SAT I

6364 68

Assessment

1. Literacy Rate2. GDP3. Qatar4. OPEC5. Turkey6. Saudi Arabia7. Israel8. Afghanistan

A. Highest GDP per person in the Middle East

B. Total of goods and services sold in a country

C. Organization which keeps oil prices high for the world

D. Eastern Mediterranean nation with modern economy and 78 million people

E. Lowest GDP per person ($900) and lowest literacy rate (28%)

F. % of people over 15 who can read and write

G. 24th in world GDP, modern economy, financial center, diamond industry

H. World’s largest oil producer