GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

SS7CG4: The student will SS7CG4: The student will compare and contrast various compare and contrast various

forms of governmentforms of government

SIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENTSIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

1. Unitary – the central government 1. Unitary – the central government holds nearly all the powerholds nearly all the power

Saudi Arabia is a monarchy (King) and Saudi Arabia is a monarchy (King) and is an example of unitary governmentis an example of unitary government

2. Confederation – local government 2. Confederation – local government has all the powerhas all the power

League of Arab States or OPEC is an League of Arab States or OPEC is an exampleexample

SIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENTSIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

3. Federal government – power is 3. Federal government – power is shared between different levels of shared between different levels of governmentgovernment

Israel is an exampleIsrael is an example

4. Autocratic government – the ruler 4. Autocratic government – the ruler has absolute power to do whatever has absolute power to do whatever he wishes and enforces whatever he wishes and enforces whatever laws he chooseslaws he chooses

Saudi Arabia is an exampleSaudi Arabia is an example

SIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENTSIX TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

5. Oligarchy – “government by the few”; a 5. Oligarchy – “government by the few”; a small group takes over the government small group takes over the government and makes all the decisionsand makes all the decisions

Syria is an exampleSyria is an example

6. Democratic government – a great deal 6. Democratic government – a great deal of power is left in the hands of the of power is left in the hands of the people; decisions are made by majority people; decisions are made by majority votesvotes

Israel is an exampleIsrael is an example

Two types of Democratic Two types of Democratic GovernmentsGovernments

Parliamentary DemocracyParliamentary Democracy Parliamentary form of democratic Parliamentary form of democratic

government – the people elect a government – the people elect a Parliament that makes and carries out the Parliament that makes and carries out the laws for the countrylaws for the country

The leader is called a Prime Minister and is The leader is called a Prime Minister and is the head of the government; he is chosen the head of the government; he is chosen by the party that has the majority by the party that has the majority representatives in Parliament representatives in Parliament

There is usually a “King” or “Queen” that There is usually a “King” or “Queen” that has no power has no power

Two types of Democratic Two types of Democratic GovernmentsGovernments

Presidential form of democratic Presidential form of democratic government – a President is chosen government – a President is chosen separately from the legislatureseparately from the legislature

Legislature passes the laws, the Legislature passes the laws, the President makes sure they are President makes sure they are enforcedenforced

The President is Head of State and The President is Head of State and head of the government head of the government

GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENTSS7CG5: The student will explain SS7CG5: The student will explain

the structures of the national the structures of the national governments of SW Asia (Middle governments of SW Asia (Middle

East)East)

ISRAELISRAEL

Parliamentary democracy Parliamentary democracy People elect representatives from People elect representatives from

different political partiesdifferent political parties Israeli parliament is called the KnessetIsraeli parliament is called the Knesset All citizens over the age of 18 can voteAll citizens over the age of 18 can vote Many Israeli laws are influenced by the Many Israeli laws are influenced by the

Orthodox Jews (religion)Orthodox Jews (religion) Elections are held every 4 years Elections are held every 4 years

SAUDI ARABIASAUDI ARABIA

Hereditary monarchy Hereditary monarchy Government is lead by a King who Government is lead by a King who

comes from a family that has ruled for comes from a family that has ruled for several generationsseveral generations

The King rules until he dies or chooses The King rules until he dies or chooses to give up powerto give up power

The citizens have very little influence as The citizens have very little influence as the ruler makes all the decisions the ruler makes all the decisions

Laws are based on the teaching of the Laws are based on the teaching of the Quran and are called Shariah lawQuran and are called Shariah law

IRANIRAN

Theocracy Theocracy God is seen as the true leader of the God is seen as the true leader of the

government and the country’s religious government and the country’s religious leaders serve as the political leadersleaders serve as the political leaders

Iran is seen as a theocratic republic Iran is seen as a theocratic republic because the government is led by both an because the government is led by both an elected parliament and religious leaderselected parliament and religious leaders

Shia religious leaders are called Shia religious leaders are called AyatollahAyatollah Iranian citizens over the age of 16 can vote Iranian citizens over the age of 16 can vote

in all elections in all elections