Standard:
SS7CG5a. 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,
leadership
 and the role of the
distinguishing the form of
citizen in terms of voting rights and personal freedoms.


Chief of State:
Head of Government:
Leader of a country
who represents the
state at official and
ceremonial functions,
but who may not be
involved with the dayto-day activities of the
government.
A country’s top
administrative leader
who is designated to
manage the day-to-day
activities of the
government.
Chief of State
Head of Government
Israel is a Unitary System with
a Parliamentary

Democracy
Israel has a unitary system of
government where the central
government in Jerusalem handles
most government functions.
The president is the head
of state.
The prime minister is the
head of government.
Citizens over 18 can vote
for members of the
legislature [Knesset].
 Israel
has three branches of government
 Although it has no constitution, it has
enacted a series of “Basic Laws” that detail
fundamental rights.
 Some of the recent human rights problems
include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]
o discrimination against Arabs in terms of
equal education and job opportunity
o discrimination against women
o terrorist attacks against citizens
Saudi Arabia is a


monarchy.
Saudi Arabia is a
monarchy. The right of
succession is hereditary.
The king is both chief of
state and head of
government. The king’s
power is limited by
Islamic law.
Male citizens over
21 can vote.
 Saudi
Arabia does not have a constitution as Islamic
law governs.
 Saudi Arabia does not have a legislature or political
parties. [In 2011, the country held elections on a nonparty basis
for half of the seats on the municipal councils around the country,
but women were not able to vote or run]
 Some
of the human rights problems include:
[http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]
o Citizens’ lack of the right and legal means to change
their government
o Restrictions on universal rights such as freedom of
expression, including on the internet, and freedom of
assembly, association, movement, and religion
o A lack of equal rights for women, children, and
noncitizen workers.
Iran is a theocratic republic


with a presidential
system.
Iran is a theocratic republic
with a presidential system.
The government of Iran is
based on Islamic law.
The chief of state is the Supreme Leader of
Iran, who is a religious leader and has the
final say on all matters.
The Supreme Leader does control some
executive power such as commander-in-chief
of the armed forces.
The head of government is the president, but
he may be removed by the Supreme Leader at
any time.
Citizens over 18
can vote.
 Iran
has an elected legislative branch
 The president is elected by popular vote, but
the Supreme Leader who is appointed for life
has more power.
Some
of the human rights problems
include: [http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]
o The government’s manipulation of the
electoral process, which severely limited
citizens’ right to change their government
peacefully through free and fair elections
 Some
of the human rights problems include:
[http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper]
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Politically motivated violence and repression
Denial of fair public trials
Lack of an independent judiciary [courts]
Ineffective implementation of civil court procedures
Interference with privacy, family, home, and
correspondence
Severe restrictions on freedoms of speech (including via
the internet) and press
Severe restrictions on academic freedom
Severe restrictions on the freedoms of assembly,
association, and religion
Some restrictions on freedom of movement
Turn to an elbow partner and
discuss the question below:
In all three of the Middle East
governments studied, citizens
could vote. Why then aren’t all
three of the countries
considered democracies?
First, who holds the supreme
power in a democracy?
The people hold the supreme power
in a democracy.
Israel is a democracy, but who holds the
supreme power in Saudi Arabia? Iran?