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