Middle Eastern Government &

Economic Systems

• Parliamentary Democracy: People elect representatives from political groups to run the government

• People 18 and older vote for their leaders• These people make the laws (this is known

as the legislature)• The leader of the nation and government is

called the: Prime Minister – this person helps make the laws with the legislature.

• Israel's parliament is called the Knesset.

Israel’s Government: Copy all…

• Ruled by an Absolute Monarchy (king), the king makes all of the decisions and has absolute power

• The power is handed down generation-to-generation.

• Citizens DO NOT vote

• There is no written constitution

• The king rules until he dies

• Law is based on Islam and the Qur'an (this is referred to as Shariah Law).

Saudi Arabia’s Government:Copy All

Theocratic Republic: a government that is run by following the practices/beliefs of a religion. (Iran = Islam)

Iran does “elect” leaders (that is what makes it a republic) but the elections are often dishonest and corrupt.

Iran has a president but he has limited power

The Ayatollah, or the religious leader, of Iran has ultimate power of the country.

Iran’s Government:

1. What are the 2 forms of democratic governments we have learned about?

2. What kind of government rules with a small group of people who act like dictators?

3. What is the name of Israel’s Parliament? 4. What is an Absolute Monarchy? 5. What is the Ayatollah? 6. What is Shariah Law? 7. Who can vote in Israel?

Government Questions—Complete with your partner:

• 8. What is the name of the government where the central government holds most of the power & local government only helps?

• 9. What is the government where central & local power is shared?

• 10. What is an autocratic government?• 11. What kind of democracy allows for the

leader to make decisions with the legislature?• 12. Why do individual voters have more

power in a democracy than in an autocracy or oligarchy?

• 13. What is the name of the branch of government who makes the laws?

Government ?’s Continued…

Most developed economy in Middle East

Mixed Economy - mostly MARKET. Does not have a lot of natural resources, so

it imports a lot of goods Makes most of it’s money by producing &

exporting: electronics, medical devices, & transportation equipment.

Israel’s Economy:

• Produces the most OIL in the world!

• Mixed economy, but mostly COMMAND. The government controls most of the economy.

• The government (the king) puts a lot of money into creating technology to help them advance

• Schools, hospitals, and roads have all been built with the money brought in from oil

• One of the richest nations in the world because it’s rich in oil & natural gas, and controls most of OPEC!

Saudi Arabia’s Economy:

• Mixed Economy, mostly COMMAND (the govt controls many industries).

• Produces: textile, oil refineries, iron, steel, food, and machines. Most important export for Turkey is AGRICULTURE (farming).

• The nation is trying to modernize, but it is a slow process.

Turkey’s Economy

1. Traditional, Command, Market systems…. define the 3 types of economic systems. Then give an example of a country/region that has each.

2. What three questions must each country ask themselves when figuring out what products to make?

3. Why do most countries have a mixed economy?

Economic System Questions!

4. What is specialization? 5. What is an example of a political trade

barrier? 6. What is an example of a physical trade

barrier? 7. What Does GDP stand for & what is it? 8. What is an Entrepreneur? 9. What is a tariff?

Economics Continued…

• 10. What is an embargo?• 11. What is human capital?• 12. What is the purpose of an exchange

rate?• 13. What does import mean?• 14. What does export mean?• 15. What is a quota?• 16. Give an example of why a country might

put an embargo on another country.

Econ ?’s…