Middle East
Governments
Review! Match the word and
definition.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Unitary
Confederation
Federal
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Parliamentary Democracy
Presidential Democracy
A. People vote for Parliamentary
members
B. Local governments hold the
power
C. Rule by the people
D. Rule by a few
E. Rule by one
F. The central government holds
all the power
G. Power is shared by central
and local governments
H. People vote for the president
separately from the
legislature.
Answers to Review
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
F
B
G
E
D
C
A
H
Vocabulary: write voc words on your voc. cards.
• Knesset: The Israeli Parliament
• Monarchy: Rule by a king or a queen
• Absolute Monarchy: type of government in which the
King, queen, or emperor has unlimited power
• Theocracy: a type of government in which God is seen
as the true leader and religious leaders serve as the
political leaders
• Theocratic Republic: a type of government which has
both religious leaders serving as political leaders and a
popularly elected president and legislature
• Autocracy: a type of government in which the ruler has
absolute power to do whatever he wishes and make and
enforce whatever laws he chooses; rule by one
Vocabulary
• Oligarchy: type of government in which a political party
or other small group takes over a government and
makes all the major decisions; government by the few
• Democracy: a type of government in which people play a
much greater role in deciding who the leaders are and
what decisions are made; rule by the people
• Unicameral: One legislative house
• Federal: a political system in which power is shared
between the national (central) and local governments
• Sharia Law: The law as stated in Islam's holy book, the
Qur'an
• Constitutional Monarchy: type of government in which
the power of the king or queen is limited by a constitution
Vocabulary
• Presidential: In this type of democratic government, people
elect the president and the legislature separately.
• Totalitarian Dictatorship: The ideas of a single leader are
glorified; the government is not responsible to the people and
tries to control all aspects of citizens' lives.
• Confederation: a political system in which the local
governments hold all the power and the central government
depends on the local governments for its existence
• Unitary: in this political system, the central government holds
all the power; local governments are under the control of the
central government.
• Parliamentary: a democratic form of government in which the
people vote for those who represent the political party they
feel best represents their views of how the government should
operate (member of parliament)
• Ayatollah: a Shi’a religious leader
GPS and E.Q.
• GPS SS7CG4a. Describe the ways
government systems distribute power:
unitary, confederation, federal.
• E.Q. How do government systems
distribute power?
Ways Government Distributes Power
Unitary
Central has all power
Regional
Regional
Authority
Authority
Regional
Authority
Centr
al
Authorit
y
Regional
Authority
Unitary
(Uni- means 1; all power is in 1 place)
• Power is held by the national (central)
government.
• Local governments, if any, are under the
national government’s control.
• Example: Saudi Arabia
King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa
Ways Government Distributes Power
Confederation
Regional/Local has all power
Regional
Authority
Regional
Authority
Centra
l
Authority
Regional
Authority
Regional
Authority
Confederation
• The local governments hold all the power.
• The central government has only as much
power as the local governments are willing to
give.
• Nowadays - countries form confederations to
band together for a specific purpose.
• Examples
– the League of Arab States
– OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries)
OPEC
Ways Government Distributes Power
Federation / Federal
Divided/Shared Power
Regional
Regional
Authority
Authority
Central
Authorit
y
Regional
Regional
Authority
Authority
Federal
• Power is shared or divided among
different levels of government.
• The central or national government has
more power than the local governments.
• Example: Israel
Ways Government Distributes
Power
All key powers
are held by the
central
government
Unitary
Strong central
government
State/regional
authorities
hold most of
the power
Federal
Confederation
Weaker central
government
Sample Test Question
In Nigeria’s government, power is divided
between Central and regional authorities.
This is an example of which government
type?
A. Unitary
B. Confederation
C. Federal
Federal
Corresponds to
SS6- CG1a, CG4a, CG6a
SS7- CG1a , CG4a, CG6a
CRCT Test Prep pages 98-99
282. In a unitary government system, most
of the power is in the hands of the
A. individual voters
B. king and advisors
C. local governments
D. central government
D. Central government
CRCT Test Prep pages 98-99
283. Which of the following countries would be a
good example of a unitary government?
A. Israel
B. Lebanon
C. Saudi Arabia
D. the United States
C. Saudi Arabia
CRCT Test Prep pages 98-99
284. In a confederation government system,
most of the power is in the hands of the
A. legislature
B. Individual voters
C. Local governments
D. Central government
C. Local governments
CRCT Test Prep pages 98-99
285. What is a weakness of a confederation government
system?
A. A confederation is very expensive.
B. Confederations are too large to rule effectively.
C. A confederation does not share power with its
members.
D. The central government has only as much power as
the local governments are willing to give.
D. The central government has only as much power as the
local governments are willing to give.
CRCT Test Prep pages 98-99
286. Which Southwest Asian country would be a
good example of a federal system of
government?
A. Iran
B. Israel
C. Kuwait
D. Saudi Arabia
B. Israel
GPS and E.Q.
• GPS SS7CG4b. Explain how governments
determine citizen participation: autocratic,
oligarchic, and democratic.
• E.Q. How do governments determine
citizen participation?
Low or No Participation
Autocratic
Low or No Participation
Oligarchic
Citizen Participation
Government Power
General Citizens’
Participation
Select Citizens’
Participation
Government Power
Citizen Participation
Government Power
How Governments Determine
High
Participation
Citizen Participation High
Participation
Low or No Participation
Democracy
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Autocratic
One person possesses unlimited
power.
The citizen has limited, if any, role in
government.
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Autocratic
• The oldest form of government.
• One of the most common forms of government.
• Maintain power through inheritance or ruthless
use of military and police power.
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Forms of Autocratic Govts.
•
Absolute or Totalitarian Dictatorship
• Ideas of a single leader glorified.
• Government tries to control all aspects of social
and economic life.
• Government is not responsible to the people.
• People lack the power to limit their rulers.
Examples- Hitler, Mussolini, Stalin
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Forms of Autocratic Govts.
•
Absolute Monarchy
• King, queen, or emperor exercises the supreme
powers of government/unlimited power.
• Position is usually inherited.
• People lack the power to limit their rulers.
• Absolute monarchs are rare today but from the
1400s to the 1700s they ruled most of Western
Europe.
• Examples- King of Saudi Arabia.
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Oligarchy
Government by the few.
Sometimes a small group exercises
control, especially for corrupt and
selfish purposes.
The citizen has a very limited role.
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Oligarchy
• The group gets its power from military
power, social power, wealth, religion or a
combination.
• Political opposition is usually suppressedsometimes violently.
• Examples:
• Syria – ruling political party makes most decisions
• Iran – small group of religious and political leaders makes
many of the decisions
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Autocracy & Oligarchy
• Sometimes claim they rule for the people.
• In reality, the people have very little say in
both types of government.
• Examples- May hold elections with only one
candidate or control the results in various ways.
• Examples- Even when these governments have a
legislature or national assembly, they often only
approve decisions made by the leaders.
How Governments Determine Citizen
Participation
Democracy
• People play a greater role in deciding who
the leaders are and what decisions are made.
• Decisions are often made by majority vote,
but laws are in place to protect individuals.
• Examples- Israel
Sample Test Question
What is a basic way citizens of a
democratic nation can influence the
government?
A. voting
B. working
C. obeying laws
D. consuming goods
voting
OAS Database Question - Corresponds to
SS6- CG1b, CG4b, CG6b
SS7- CG1b , CG4b, CG6b
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
287. Who makes most of the important
governmental decisions in an autocracy?
A. the ruler
B. the people
C. the court system
D. the elected legislature
A. The ruler
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
288. Which Southwest Asian country could
be described as an autocracy?
A. Iraq
B. Israel
C. Turkey
D. Saudi Arabia
D. Saudi Arabia
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
289. Who makes most of the important
governmental decisions in an oligarchy?
A. the king
B. the people
C. the legislature
D. a small group of powerful leaders
D. A small group of powerful leaders
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
290. Why do the individual voters have more power in a
democracy than they do in an autocracy or an oligarchy?
A. kings are always cruel rulers.
B. The voters get to choose the people who make the
laws.
C. All of the power stays in the hands of the local
governments.
D. Voters in democratic countries always choose
qualified leaders.
B. The voters get to choose the people who make the laws.
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
291. Which Southwest Asian country has a
democratic form of government?
A. Iran
B. Israel
C. Kuwait
D. Saudi Arabia
B. Israel
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
292. If the Saudi royal family controls the
government of Saudi Arabia, and the king is the
ruler, what type of government is this?
A. unitary
B. federation
C. confederation
D. parliamentary
A. unitary
CRCT Test Prep pages 99-100
293. If the Saudi royal family controls the
government of Saudi Arabia, and the king is the
ruler, which best describes Saudi Arabia’s
government?
A. democracy
B. dictatorship
C. monarchy
D. oligarchy
C. monarchy
GPS and E.Q.
• GPS SS7CG4c. Describe the 2
predominate forms of democratic
governments: parliamentary and
presidential.
• E.Q. How do parliamentary and
presidential democracies compare?
Parliamentary Democracy
• People elect legislature or parliament (lawmakers).
• Executive leaders (prime ministers or premiers)
are chosen in different ways in different
countries.
• Leaders may be voted out before the end of
their term if their political party loses power.
• In Israel, the political party in Parliament with the
most members chooses the prime minister.
Presidential Democracy
• Also called Congressional Form of Government.
• President is chosen separately from legislature
(lawmakers)
• President is chief executive and head of state.
• It is the duty of the president to see that the laws
passed by the legislature are enforced.
• Presidents do not lose their job if their political
party loses power.
Main Difference Between Presidential
and Parliamentary Democracies
• Parliamentary: voters elect Parliament
(legislature).
• Presidential: voters elect Congress
(legislature) AND President.
Sample Test Question
In which system of government does the
legislature select the executive leader of the
government?
A. democratic
B. communist
C. parliamentary
D. Totalitarian
parliamentary
OAS Database Question - Corresponds to
SS6- CG1c, CG4c, CG6c
SS7- CG1c , CG4c, CG6c
Sample Test Question
Which statement about Israel’s
parliamentary system of government today
is true?
A. Members of both houses of Parliament
are elected for life.
B. The queen decides which laws
Parliament will debate.
C. Members of Parliament do not belong to
political parties.
D. The prime minister is not directly chosen
by voters.
OAS Database Question - Corresponds to
D
SS6- CG1c, CG4c, CG6c
SS7- CG1c , CG4c, CG6c
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
294. Which branch of government is responsible
for making and carrying out the laws in a
parliamentary system of government?
A. executive
B. judicial
C. legislative
D. the monarch
C. legislative
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
295. The leader of a parliamentary system is
often called the
A. king
B. president.
C. governor.
D. prime minister.
D. Prime minister.
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
296. The leader of a parliamentary system is
chosen by?
A. the king
B. a popular vote of the people
C. a decision of the national courts
D. the political party with the most representatives
in the legislature
D. The political party with the most representatives
in the legislature
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
297. The Head of State in a parliamentary system is
often a person who has
A. no actual power.
B. a veto for laws passed by the legislature.
C. the most power in the national government.
D. a ceremonial role without much actual power.
D. A ceremonial role without much actual power.
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
298. In a presidential system of government, how is
a president chosen?
A. by a decision of the national courts
B. by a majority vote of the legislature
C. in a separate vote from the one that chooses
the legislature
D. by the political party with the most
representatives in the legislature
C. In a separate vote from the one that chooses the
legislature
CRCT Test Prep pages 101-102
299. What is the role of the president regarding the
laws passed by the legislature?
A. The president must enforce those laws.
B. The president can change the laws he doesn’t
like.
C. The president sends the laws to the states for
approval.
D. Laws passed by the legislature do not have to
go to the president for approval.
A. The president must enforce those laws.
Types of Government in the
Middle East
GPS and E.Q.
• GPS: SS7CG5a. The student will 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.
• E.Q.: How do the governments of Israel,
Saudi Arabia, and Iran compare?
Israel - Type of leader
• Israel is a parliamentary
democracy.
• The president is head of
state and serves in a
primarily ceremonial role
(Shimon Peres).
• The prime minister is the
head of government
(Benjamin Netanyahu).
Israel – Becoming the leader
• President is elected
by the Knesset
(parliament).
• After election,
President nominates
a member of the
Knesset to become
the Prime Minister
(following a vote of
confidence from the
Knesset)
Israel – Role of Citizen
• Citizens over 18 can vote for members of the
unicameral legislature called the Knesset.
Israel – Personal Freedoms
• Freedom of Speech – Yes
• Freedom of the Press - Yes
Saudi Arabia
• Saudi Arabia is by far
the largest country of
the Arabian
Peninsula.
• Non-Muslims are not
allowed to enter
Mecca, Islam’s holiest
city.
Saudi Arabia
• In the 1920s a local ruler
from the Saud family of
central Arabia conquered
his neighbors and in 1932
created the kingdom of
Saudi Arabia.
• Members of the Saud
family have ruled the
country ever since.
• Riyadh, a city near the
center of the country,
became the capital.
Saudi Arabia – Form of Government
• The government of
Saudi Arabia is an
Islamic Absolute
Monarchy ruled by
the sons and
grandsons of the
first king, Abd Al
Aziz Al Saud.
Saudi Arabia – Form of Government
• Saudi Arabia’s government
has no written constitution
or elected legislature.
However, its basic law of
government proclaims that
the Qur’an is the
constitution of the country
which is governed on the
basis of the Sharia (Islamic
Law).
Saudi Arabia – Title of Leader
• King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz
Al Saud is the current King of
Saudi Arabia and Head of the
House of Saud.
• Most government officials are
relatives of the king.
• The king may ask members of
his family, Islamic scholars,
and tribal leaders for advice on
important decisions.
Personal wealth:
$18 billion!!!
Saudi Arabia – Becoming the
Leader
• The right of succession is
hereditary (passed down
through the family).
• A newly established council
selects a successor among the
crown princes of the Saudi
royal family.
• The King’s power is limited by
Islamic law and he must build
consensus among religious
leaders and other influential
Saudis.
Saudi Arabia – Role of Citizen
(Voting Rights)
• There are no voting
rights or official
political parties in this
country.
• The role of the citizen
in Saudi Arabia is to
obey the King.
Saudi Arabia – Personal Freedoms
• Freedom of Speech – No
• Freedom of the Press - No
Iran – Type of Leader
• Iran is a theocratic republic
with a presidential system.
• The government of Iran is
based on Islamic law.
• The Supreme Leader of Iran,
who is a religious leader, is
chief of state and has final say
on all matters.
• The Supreme Leader is
commander-in-chief of the
armed forces.
Iran – Becoming the Leader
• The Supreme Leader is
selected by the Council of
Experts.
• The Council of Experts,
as well as the legislature
and president, are
elected by popular vote.
• While the president is
head of government, he
may be removed by the
Supreme Leader at any
time.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Iran – Role of Citizen
• There is universal suffrage (voting) for everyone
over 18.
• The role of the citizen in Iran is to obey the
Supreme Leader.
Iran – Personal Freedoms
• Freedom of Speech – No
• Freedom of the Press - No
• Copy following chart onto your DRC (Data
Retrieval Chart): “Compare Governments”
Israel
DRC:
Compare
Governments
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Leader
President
King
Prime Minister (Monarchy)
(Parliamentary
Democracy)
Supreme
Leader
(Theocratic
Republic)
Takes Power
by…
Election
Hereditary
Selected by
Council of
Experts
Role of
Citizen
Vote
Obey
Obey and
“Vote”
Personal
Freedoms
Freedom of
Speech: Yes
Press: Yes
Freedom of
Speech: No
Press: No
Freedom of
Speech: No
Press: No
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
300. The Israeli parliament (legislature) is
called the
A. Senate
B. Knesset
C. Congress
D. House of Representatives
B. Knesset
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
301. What role do religious leaders play in the
Israeli government?
A. They have some influence in making laws.
B. They are not allowed to run for political office.
C. Religious leaders always control which
candidates are elected.
D. They are guaranteed a certain number of
representatives in each election.
A. They have some influence in making laws.
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
302. Who is allowed to vote in Israeli elections?
A. all citizens 16 years of age or older
B. all citizens 18 years of age or older
C. only men who can prove they are Israeli
citizens
D. only those who were actually born in the State
of Israel
B. All citizens 18 years of age or older
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
303. How often are elections for the national
government held in Israel?
A. Elections are held every 6 years.
B. Party members are elected for life.
C. Religious leaders can require new elections
whenever they like.
D. Elections are held every 4 years unless the
ruling party calls for them to be held sooner.
D. Elections are held every 4 years unless the ruling
party calls for them to be held sooner.
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
304. Saudi Arabia is ruled by a
A. king.
B. popularly elected president.
C. representative government.
D. group of leading religious leaders.
A. king
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
305. How long does a monarch rule?
A. one elected term
B. a term of 10 years
C. as long as Parliament allows him to rule
D. until he dies or chooses to give up power
D. Until he dies or chooses to give up power
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
306. What role do the people play in a government
that is a monarchy like that of Saudi Arabia?
A. They have the power to vote a ruler out of
office.
B. The people get to approve the laws made by
the ruler.
C. They are guaranteed certain rights by their
written constitution.
D. They have little influence, as the ruler makes
most decisions.
D. They have little influence, as the ruler makes
most decisions.
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
307. What is Sharia law?
A. laws made by the king alone
B. laws based on Parliamentary democracy
C. laws based on the teachings of the
Qur’an
D. laws calling for a separation of church
and state
C. laws based on the teachings of the Qur’an
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
308. What is the definition of a “theocracy”??
A. a government that sees God as the supreme
ruler
B. a government that allows people to choose the
leaders
C. a system in which religious law and civil law
are separate
D. a system in which only religious leaders are
allowed to vote
A. a government that sees God as the supreme
ruler
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
309. Why is Iran sometimes called a theocratic
republic?
A. Iran’s religious leaders make all the laws for
the country.
B. Religious leaders decide which Iranian citizens
can vote.
C. The people of Iran have no say in choosing
their government leaders.
D. Iran’s government is led by both an elected
parliament and powerful religious leaders.
D. Iran’s government is led by both an elected
parliament and powerful religious leaders.
CRCT Test Prep pages 104-105
310. What is an Ayatollah?
A. a Christian priest
B. a Shi’a religious leader
C. The title of a local governor
D. a leader of a Jewish congregation
D. a Shi’a religious leader
Middle East Governments
Comic Strip Activity
Create 3 comic strips: one each of
Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran
In each…
Identify the title of the leader.
Identify how the person becomes the leader.
Determine what role the citizen plays in the government.
Determine personal freedoms (Freedom of Speech,
Freedom of the Press).