Name ________________________________ Part 1:Study Guide ANSWER KEY
Government Systems of the Middle East
1. What is the difference between a Federal and Unitary government structure? In a unitary
system the central authority decides how and to who decision making power will be
given. Unitary DOES NOT MEAN the country has a dictator or is autocratic or
oligarchic. In a federal system, the power to make those kinds of decisions is shared
between the national government and regional or local government within the
country.
2. What is the difference between an autocratic, oligarchic and democratic government (role
of citizen)? Autocratic- citizens have no role/ Oligarchic- a few or small group of
citizens have a role/ Democratic- all qualified citizens have a role (usually through
voting)
3. What type of government structure/system is OPEC? EXPLAIN THE DISTRIBUTION OF
POWER. Confederation- NO COUNTRY HAS A CONFEDERATION AS THEIR SYSTEM OF
GOVERNMENT. The countries belonging to OPEC GIVE THE POWER TO THE
ORGANIZATION; WITHOUT THE MEMBER NATIONS OPEC WOULD BE POWERLESS.
4. Unitary, Confederation, or Federal? EXPLAIN WHY.
a. Israel UNITARY_~ THE PARLIAMENT IS THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY
b. Iran UNITARY_~ The National government/Supreme Leader maintains
control over the entire country_______
c. Saudi Arabia UNITARY_~ The King (monarchy) has total power; there is no
constitution other than the Quran____
5. What type of government allows ALL qualified citizens to elect (vote for) their leaders?
A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT/DEMOCRACY (DEMOS=PEOPLE)
6. When a citizen INDIRECTLY elects the leader of their country, WHO do they elect (VOTE
FOR)? LEGISLATURE (Parliament)
7. What type of government is described in #6? PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY
8. When a citizen DIRECTLY elects the leader of their country, what type of government is it?
PRESIDENTIAL DEMOCRACY
9. In which type of government, does a small group of a ‘few’ citizens make decisions or have
any type of role in government? OLIGARCHY/OLIGARCHIC
10. How are the members of the small group decided? USUALLY RELATED TO THEIR
POLITICAL PARTY (COMMUNISTS) OR RELIGION (IRAN???)
11. How is a democratic government different than an oligarchic one? IN A DEMOCRATIC
GOVERNMENT ALL CITIZENS HAVE POWER AND IN AN OLIGARCHY ONLY A SMALL
GROUP DOES (OLI=FEW)
12. Another name for the parliament is LEGISLATURE (law making body)_____
13. What are the two types of democratic governments? PARLIAMENTARY &
PRESIDENTIAL
14. What is the difference between the two types of democratic governments from #13? IN A
PRESIDENTIAL DEMOCRACY CITIZENS ACTUALLY VOTE DIRECTLY FOR THE LEADER
AND THE LEGISLATURE SEPERATELY; IN A PARLIAMENTARY DEMOCRACY, THEY
ONLY VOTE FOR THE LEGISLATURE. THE LEGISLATURE ELECTS THE PRIME
MINISTER/LEADER BASED ON THE MAJORITY PARTY THAT WAS ELECTED.
15. Which branch of government is responsible for making and carrying out laws in a
parliamentary system? LEGISLATURE_________________
16. What is the form of leadership in Israel? PRIME MINISTER – head of the political
party with the most members of the parliament (Knesset)______
For 17-20 (not 19) choose from these words: UNITARY, FEDERAL, AUTOCRATIC,
OLIGARCHIC, AND DEMOCRATIC
17. Two words that describe the State of Israel are UNITARY- (PARLIAMENTARY)
DEMOCRACY
18. Two words that describe Saudi Arabia are UNITARY- (ABSOLUTE) MONARCHY ~ the
King has absolute authority.
19. Iran’s official name is: Islamic Republic of Iran. Explain why this is a really good name for
Iran. ISLAMIC B/C ITS LAWS ARE BASED ON ISLAM, REPUBLIC B/C CITIZENS ARE
PERMITTED TO VOTE AND IRAN B/C THAT’S ITS NAME.
20. What are the 3 words that describe Iran’s government? EXPLAIN WHY. UNITARYOLIGARCHIC-REPUBLIC-UNITARY B/C THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE IN CONTROL
AND MUST APPROVE CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT; CITIZENS ELECT
PRESIDENT AND LEGISLATURE
21. How does the leader of Israel come to power? He/she is the leader THE POLITICAL
PARTY WITH THE MOST MEMBERS ELECTED TO THE PARLIAMENT.
22. How does the leader of Saudi Arabia come to power? HE INHERITS HIS POSITION by
birth
23. How does the leader of Iran come to power? THE PRESIDENT IS ELECTED BY
POPULAR VOTE, THE SUPREME LEADER IS APPOINTED FOR LIFE
24. Who is the Supreme Leader and where is he located? THE MOST POWERFUL PERSON
IN IRAN AND HE IS ALSO THE RELIGIOUS LEADER
25. What is unique about the leadership of Iran that Saudi Arabia and Israel do not have?
THE LEADERS OF BOTH COUNTRIES MAKE LAWS BASED ON RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS
OF THE QURAN
26. What is similar about the governments of Iran and Saudi Arabia? THEY ARE BOTH
THEOCRACIES~ IRAN IS A THEOCRATIC REPUBLIC & SAUDI ARABIA IS A
THEOCRATIC MONARCHY
27. Explain this statement: Iran looks like a presidential democracy but it doesn’t function
like one. SINCE ALL CITIZENS ARE PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT AND
LEGISLATURE, IT LOOKS LIKE A DEMOCRACY BUT THE ELECTIONS ARE CORRUPT
(SHADY) AND THE SUPREME LEADER HAS TO APPROVE WHO RUNS FOR OFFICE AND
ALSO HAS FINAL AUTHORITY OF MOST THINGS (OVER THE PRESIDENT)
28. What term (autocratic, oligarchic or democratic) is associated with the ‘role of the citizen’
in Israel? Explain why. SINCE ALL CITIZENS ARE PERMITTED TO VOTE FOR PRESIDENT
AND LEGISLATURE, IT LOOKS LIKE A DEMOCRACY BUT THE ELECTIONS ARE
CORRUPT (SHADY) AND THE SUPREME LEADER HAS TO APPROVE WHO RUNS FOR
OFFICE AND ALSO HAS FINAL AUTHORITY OF MOST THINGS (OVER THE PRESIDENT)
29. What term (autocratic, oligarchic or democratic) is associated with the ‘role of the citizen’
in Iran? Explain why. OLIGARCHIC- BECAUSE THE RELIGIOUS COUNCIL AND SUPREME
LEADER CONTROL MUCH OF THE GOVERNMENT, INCLUDING WHO CAN RUN FOR
OFFICE BUT IT IS ALSO A DEMOCRACY B/C ALL CITIZENS CAN VOTE.
30. What term (autocratic, oligarchic or democratic) is associated with the ‘role of the citizen’
in Saudi Arabia? Explain why. AUTOCRATIC B/C THE KING HAS ABSOLUTE POWER AND
CONTROL. A SMALL % OF CITIZENS CAN VOTE IN LOCAL ELECTIONS BUT THE KING
STILL HAS CONTROL
31. Place Iran, Israel, and Saudi Arabia on the continuum based on the personal freedoms of
the citizens.
Free
Partly Free
ISRAEL
Not Free
IRAN
SAUDI ARABIA
32. Explain why you placed them on the continuum where you did.
Iran- IRAN IS MORE FREE THAN SAUDI ARABIA B/C IT DOES ALLOW ALL CITIZENS
THE RIGHT TO VOTE BUT ELECTIONS ARE OFTEN RIGGED AND LEADERS ARE OFTEN
CORRUPT; PERSONAL FREEDOMS ARE VERY LIMITED
Israel- ISRAEL ALLOWS ALL CITIZENS THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN FREE AND FAIR
ELECTIONS; CITIZENS ENJOY POLITICAL AND PERSONAL FREEDOMS
Saudi Arabia- NO CITIZENS ARE PERMITED TO VOTE FOR LEADERS; PERSONAL
FREEDOMS ARE SEVERLY RESTRICTED
Economic Systems of the Middle East
31. What does it mean to have a ‘mixed’ economy? EVERY COUNTRY HAS AT LEAST SOME
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF THE ECONOMY AND SOME CONSUMER/PRODUCER
INPUT
32. Why do countries specialize? TO MAKE MONEY TO GET THE GOODS AND SERVICES
THEY ARE UNABLE TO PRODUCE THEMSELVES.
33. Give an example of how specialization has encouraged international trade with countries
in the Middle East. PETROLEUM PRODUCTS ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AROUND THE
WORLD AND THE MIDDLE EAST HAS A MAJORITY OF IT BUT THEY ARE MOSTLY
DESERT AND MUST TRADE TO GET THINGS THEY ARE UNABLE TO PRODUCE.
34.Explain how OPEC can impact the economy of most countries in the world. SINCE MOST
OF THE WORLD IS DEPENDANT UPON OIL FOR ENERGY B/C OF INDUSTRY, ETC.
OPEC’S CONTROL OF PRODUCTION AND COST AFFECTS MOST COUNTRIES WHO
NEED THEIR OIL.
35. Which country in the Middle East has more of a command economy? IRAN
36. Which country in the Middle East has more of a market economy? ISRAEL
37. What is entrepreneurship? SOMEONE WHO INVESTS THEIR OWN MONEY TO START
A BUSINESS HOPING TO MAKE A PROFIT.
38. Which Middle Eastern country has more entrepreneurs? ISRAEL
39. Explain why entrepreneurs are good for a country’s economic strength. THEY CREATE
NEW JOBS FOR PEOPLE WHICH GIVES WORKERS MONEY; IF PEOPLE ARE MAKING
MONEY THEY WILL USUALLY ALSO SPEND MORE MONEY WHICH IS GOOD FOR THE
GDP/ECONOMY
40. What are capital goods? MACHINES AND TECHNOLOGY USED TO PRODUCE GOODS
41. In what areas does each of the countries invest in capital goods?
Israel _AGRICULTURE AND TECHNOLOGY__ Saudi Arabia __OIL PRODUCTION______
Iran __OIL PRODUCTION____________________
42. Explain why an embargo would probably be a useful trade barrier for OPEC to use. SINCE
SO MANY COUNTRIES DEPEND ON THEIR OIL, OPEC COULD SEVERELY HURT THEIR
ECONOMIES IF THEY STOPPED TRADING OIL THAT THEY NEEDED FOR ENERGY TO
RUN FACTORIES, ETC.
43. If a country has a high literacy rate, what conclusion can you make about the country’s
investments and GDP? THEY HAVE A HIGH LITERACY RATE B/C THEY EDUCATE THEIR
CITIZENS. EDUCATED CITIZENS ARE ABLE TO GET BETTER JOBS AND MAKE MORE
MONEY WHICH CAUSES THE GDP TO INCREASE.
44. Explain how investments made in human capital and capital goods (CAPITAL
INVESTMENTS) can increase the GDP.
Human Capital- BETTER TRAINED WORKERS PRODUCE HIGHER QUALITY
GOODS/SERVICES AT A FASTER PACE WITH FEWER ERRORS
Capital goods- MODERN MACHINERY AND TECHNOLOGY HELP PRODUCE HIGHER
QUALITY GOODS AT A FASTER PACE.
45. Explain how allowing private ownership of business can increase the GDP. MORE
BUSINESSES= MORE JOBS; MORE JOBS= MORE WORKERS WHO ARE GETTING PAID;
MORE WORKERS GETTING PAID= WORKERS BUYING MORE DURABLE (LONG
LASTING GOODS- LIKE CARS AND HOUSES)
46. Explain the relationship between literacy rates and standard of living. HIGHER
LITERACY RATES = HIGHER STANDARD OF LIVING
47. The governments of both Iran and Saudi Arabia control their largest industry. What is it?
OIL
48. Explain why Turkey is moving more toward the market side of the economic continuum
than it used to be. TURKEY IS NOW ALLOWING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRIVATE
OWNERSHIP OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY AND LESS GOVERNMENT CONTROL
49. A tariff is called a ‘protective trade barrier’. What does it protect? THE TAX ON IMPORTS
MAKES IMPORTED GOODS COST MORE; THAT ‘PROTECTS’ GOODS MADE WITHIN THE
COUNTRY B/C THEY WILL HAVE A LOWER PRICE TO CONSUMERS WHICH WILL MAKE
IT MORE ATTRACTIVE TO BUY.
50. In what areas does Israel specialize? AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY
51. Place each country on the economic continuum. (Turkey, Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia)
Command
Market
TURKEY
IRAN
SAUDI ARABIA ISRAEL
Explain why you put them there.
Turkey- STILL HAS GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF INDUSTRY BUT IS ALLOWING
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP
Israel- ALLOWS THE MOST PRIVATE OWNERSHIP/ENTREPRENEURS BUT STILL HAS
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OF MOST AGRICULTURE AND HIGH TECH INDUSTRY
Iran- OIL IS THE MAIN INDUSTRY AND THE GOVERNMENT CONTROLS IT
COMPLETELY. THEY DO NOT INVEST MUCH MONEY IN OTHER INDUSTRIES OR
ENCOURAGE ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Saudi Arabia- GOVERNMENT STRICTLY CONTROLS THE OIL INDUSTRY BUT ALLOWS
PRIVATE OWNERSHIP IN MANY OTHER INDUSTRIES
52. Even though Iran has a higher GDP, the citizens do not have a higher standard of living.
Explain why. THE GOVERNMENT INVESTS HEAVILY IN OIL (CAPITAL GOODS) BUT
THEY DO NOT USE THEIR HUGE PROFITS TO BENEFIT THEIR CITIZENS. THEY SPEND
MUCH OF THEIR MONEY ON MILITARY BUDGETS.
53. Saudi Arabia has used profits from the oil industry to improve the standard of living for
the citizens. What kinds of things have they done to accomplish that? IMPROVED SCHOOLS,
ROADS, HOSPITALS, ETC. THEY HAVE ALSO INVESTED IN TECHNOLOGY TO GROW
CROPS IN THE DESERT CLIMATE.
54. In Israel, the government does control certain industries. What are they?
AGRICULTURAL AND HIGH TECH INDUSTRY