​Forms of Government-Write This

• In some types of governments, one person or a small group has all the power. This often happens in monarchies or dictatorships. Leaders in these governments can stay in charge for a long time, and regular people don't get much say in how things are run. The leaders might limit people's rights, like freedom of speech or religion.

• In autocratic governments, power is controlled by a single individual or small group. Examples include monarchies, dictatorships, and oligarchies (rule by few). There are few limits on the leader’s power.

​Forms of Government

• On the flip side, in democracies, power comes from the people. They have specific rights, such as the right to life and freedom. People in a democracy get to vote to decide on rules and leaders. The significant difference is who holds the power – either the leaders in charge or the people themselves.

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​Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where the royal family has all the power, and people have very little say.

• Tribal elders and religious leaders will consult the monarchy and members of the royal family on important matters. In the end, however, all decisions are made by the king.

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​Turkey

• Turkey was formed in 1923, after the fall of the Ottoman Empire.

• Turkey has operated as a democracy--with a few exceptions.

  • Between 1960 and 1980, Turkey experienced several military coups but every time the issues were resolved, the government returned to democratic rule.

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​Israel

Israel, since 1948, operates as a democracy, but sometimes limits certain rights for security reasons.

Forms of Economy

• There are three main economic systems: traditional, command, and market.

  • In a traditional economy, customs and beliefs decide what gets produced. This happens a lot in less developed countries, where goods are often made by people or animals, not machines.

  • In a command economy, the government owns everything and decides what gets produced and how it's distributed.

  • Market economies are based on private ownership and voluntary exchange
    

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Most countries have mixed economies, blending command and market systems. Israel and Turkey, for example, regulate some economic activities to ensure fairness. Saudi Arabia mainly uses a command economy, but it sells its main product, oil, using a free-market system.

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​Economic Organizations

• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

• OECD is a large organization with 35 members. One of those members is the United States. Many of its other members come from the Middle East. Two of these are Israel and Turkey. The organization promotes democracy and free-market economies.

• OPEC is a mid-size organization made up of the world’s major oil-exporting countries. There are 12 members. Saudi Arabia is a member of OPEC. Together, OPEC’s members hold about 80 percent of the world’s known oil reserves and produce about 60 percent of the world’s oil exports.

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Saudi Arabia is the world’s largest exporter of oil. About 40 percent of the country’s economy comes from oil. As a result, the health of Saudi Arabia’s economy rests heavily on the price and sale of oil and oil products.

Turkey’s economy has long been dominated by agriculture, but it has recently begun to encourage investment in industries like motor vehicles and electronics.

Israel

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• Despite limited natural resources, Israel is a leader in alternative energy technology. While heavily relying on fossil fuels, efforts are made to reduce pollution. Offshore natural gas reserves in the Mediterranean Sea offer a cleaner energy source.

• A significant part of Israel's land is desert, but high-tech farming, including efficient drip-irrigation, allows it to produce most of its food. Israel exports this technology to countries with similar challenges. Specializing in products like olives, mangoes, and avocados also boosts its agricultural economy.
  

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• Since its establishment in 1948, Israel has prioritized security due to conflicts with surrounding Arab states. The country invests heavily in military equipment, surveillance, and security for tourist areas. While economically advanced, Israel faces challenges like poverty, income inequality, and high housing prices. The government's initiative to provide housing, known as "the settlements," from Palestinian territory has sparked controversy.

• Israel operates as a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislative branch called the Knesset. The president holds a ceremonial role, while the prime minister makes policy decisions. The judicial branch is independent. Citizens vote for political parties, and coalition-building is common as no single party usually has a majority in the Knesset. The prime minister, selected by the president, has forty-five days to form a government.

  
  
  

Saudi
Arabia

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• A significant portion of Saudi Arabia's workforce comprises foreign workers, approximately 7.5 million, playing a crucial role in the economy. However, this has led to high unemployment among Saudi citizens.

• Until recently, women in Saudi Arabia had limited rights, including the right to drive. In the 2015 elections, women were allowed to run for office and vote, resulting in the election of 20 female candidates. The legal system is based on the Qur'an and Islamic principles, and critics of the government are outlawed, with no tolerance for open protests.

  
  
  

Turkey

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• Manufacturing is the largest sector, producing motor vehicles, machinery, petrochemical products, and electronics, surpassing traditional sectors like textiles. Despite small-scale farms, Turkey produces a diverse range of fruits and vegetables to meet domestic needs.

• Turkey has a multi-party system, and elections are held every five years for the parliament. The country has experienced internal disorder and terrorism since its independence in 1923. During times of instability, the military has intervened, leading to coups, with a failed attempt in 2016. This event prompted constitutional amendments to strengthen the presidency and diminish the military and parliamentary influence.