1. Southwest Asia
Today
Dubai, UAE

2. Standard SS7CG5 The 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.

3. Governments of Middle East
TYPES of GOV’T:
Absolute Monarchy
Dictatorship
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
Parliamentary
Presidential
Theocracy
King Abdullah (SA),
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (Ir.),
Ayatollah Khomeini (Ir.),
Benjamin Netanyahu (Is.)

4. Israel Parliamentary Democracy
Prime 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.

5. Israel Prime Minister is Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu
President is a ceremonial role
Major issue is security.
All citizens can vote and speak freely.

6. Saudi Arabia
Saudi 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

7. Saudi Arabia
The 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!

8. Iran Islamic revolution in 1979
Islamic republic
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the Head of State.
Religious leader – theocracy
“Supreme Leader” according to Koran
Election in 2005 of President – Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
Results were disputed
Candidates must be approved prior to running for office.
See U.S. as their enemy.

9. Iraq
Saddam 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 Maliki
Parliamentary Government
U.S. soldiers are leaving
Violence continues to disrupt stability

10. Afghanistan United 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!

11. Assessment Israel Iran Saudi Arabia a. Democracy Monarchy Theocracy
Ayatollah Khomeini
Benjamin Netanyahu
King Abdullah

12. Georgia 7th Grade Standards
Compare and contrast the economic systems in Israel, Saudi Arabia and Turkey
Evaluate how the literacy rate affects the standard of living
Explain the primary function of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Explain how most countries have a mixed economy located on the continuum between pure market and pure command.

13. Standard of Living vs. Literacy Rate & GDP per capita
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)
Literacy Rate – percentage of the population at a specific age that can read and write
GDP per capita – GDP based on population
Are literacy rate and GDP linked to standard of living?

14. High vs. Low Standards of Living
Israel
Literacy rate – 97%
GDP per capita - $31,400
Manufacturing
Saudi Arabia
Literacy rate – 79%
GDP per capita - $24,500
Oil production
Yemen
Literacy rate – 50%
GDP per capita - $2700
Oil production
Afghanistan
Literacy rate – 28%
GDP per capita - $900
Agriculture

15. Other Standards of Living
United 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)
Iraq
Literacy Rate - 74%
GDP per person $3,800
Cuba
Literacy Rate 99.9%
Second highest in world
GDP per person - $9,900
China
Literacy Rate – 95.9%
GDP per person - $7,600
Population – 1,346,780,000

16. World Literacy Map

17. The Eastern Mediterranean
Includes Turkey*, Jordan, Israel*, Lebanon, Syria, and Palestinian territories
Faced many conflicts
Struggle to achieve peace
Camp David Accords
Not much oil but they do have areas with mild climates and fertile lands
Farming is important

18. Turkey Mild Mediterranean climate and largest population (78,000,000)
Agriculture for local use
Exports cotton and tobacco
Produces textiles, steel, and cars
Gradually moved from gov’t-directed economy to more private enterprise
75% of people live in cities

19. Israel Highly 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

20. Arabian Peninsula OPEC Saudi Arabia*, Yemen, Oman
Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries
Decides how much oil to produce and the price
12 member nations around the world
Saudi Arabia*, Yemen, Oman
Oil exports support economies
Oil discovered in 1930’s
Major suppliers of the world’s energy
Petrochemicals
products made from petroleum and natural gas
plastics, cosmetics, detergents, fertilizers, etc.

22. Saudi Arabia World’s leading producer of oil
Schools, 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

23. The Persian Gulf Countries
Includes 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

24. Economic continuum
Command T SA I
Market • • • •

25. Assessment Literacy Rate GDP Qatar OPEC Turkey Saudi Arabia Israel
Highest GDP per person in the Middle East
Total of goods and services sold in a country
Organization which keeps oil prices high for the world
Eastern Mediterranean nation with modern economy and 78 million people
Lowest GDP per person ($900) and lowest literacy rate (28%)
% of people over 15 who can read and write
24th in world GDP, modern economy, financial center, diamond industry
World’s largest oil producer
Literacy Rate
GDP
Qatar
OPEC
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
Israel
Afghanistan