Transcript Slide 1

This is Damascus and it is believed to be the oldest
continuously occupied city in the world. It was once part of the
Ottoman Empire but came under French control after WWI. It
became an independent country in the 1940’s.
From the 1940’s until 2000, President Hafiz al-Assad dictated
the people of Syria. He favored a strong military to match that
of the Israeli Government’s and to protect his rule from political
enemies from within the country.
Government Overview: Ostensibly a republic, in reality Syria
is an authoritarian, military-dominated regime where
opposition to the president is not tolerated, and, with the
succession of the previous president’s son, concern about
hereditary rule is plausible. Whereas the citizens may vote for
the president and members of parliament, they cannot
change the government; the president, for example, is not
actually elected but, rather, confirmed by unopposed popular
referenda. Parliament may assess and sometimes modify
laws proposed by the executive branch, but it may not initiate
laws. The president and his senior aides make most
decisions in the political, economic, and security sectors, with
a very limited degree of public accountability. The regime
does not tolerate political opposition and justifies itself by
maintaining a state of emergency that has been in effect
since 1963 as a result of the state of war that continues to
exist with Israel. A
With the constitution ceding primacy to the Arab Socialist Resurrection (Baath)
Party, all three branches of government are dominated by its views. The party is
both socialist (advocating state ownership of the means of industrial production
and redistribution of agricultural land) and revolutionary (espousing the goal of
carrying the socialist revolution to every part of the Arab world). However, since
August 1990 the regime has de-emphasized the socialist aspect in favor of
pursuing pan-Arab unity. The regime’s survival hinges on its strong desire for
stability and its success in giving groups such as religious minorities and
peasant farmers a stake in society. Perhaps more important, the expansion of
government bureaucracy has created a large class of citizens loyal to the
regime. The army and internal security apparatus, the units most responsible
for enforcing the regime’s stability, are loyal, effective, and dominated by the
Alawi sect, to which the Assad family belongs.
Following the death of Hafiz al Assad in 2000, his son Bashar was nominated
and confirmed as president. Bashar al Assad is a reform-minded president, and
although his reforms have been met with resistance from the old guard, the
country appears to have the potential for some modification of its system of
government. There reportedly have been calls to make the Baath Party less
influential in government and speculation that the president might push to
remove the article of the constitution granting the party primacy.
After his father’s death in 2000, Bashar al-Assad was “elected”
president of the socialist government of Syria. He has worked
to improve the countries economy by cutting military spending
and putting the money into the countries infrastructure like
power plants, rail roads and oil refineries.
• Three Major Ethnic groups: Arabs,
• Kurds, and Armenians.
• Religion- Sunni Muslim (74%),
• Alawite Muslim, Druze Muslim,(16%),
• Christian (10%),
• Jews make up very small%
• Women often Discriminated against,
• Lack many rights held by men
• and forced to wear Burquas
• (veil and dress that covers entire body)
•
•
•
•
•
Population: 17,585,540
Capital City: Damascus
Official Language: Arabic
Government: republic under an
authoritarian military-dominated
regime
• Chief of State: President Bashar alAsad
• Chief Domestic exports: crude oil,
petroleum, fruits, and vegetables.
Direct Democracy
Government in which all citizens have equal
power in decision making.
ADVANTAGES
1. Every citizen has equal
power in matters of
government. Every citizen is
involved in the decision
making.
2. Since all citizens are
involved in decision making,
there is a broad base of
support and loyalty.
3. Individual liberties are
protected.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Only works when a small
number of people are
involved. Ability to gather all
citizens in one place is
necessary.
2. Decision making
involving all citizens is timeconsuming. All citizens give
in-put, debate, etc...
Direct Democracy
(True Democracy)
Government in which all citizens have equal
power in decision making.
NO MIDDLE EAST
GOVERNMENT HAS
THIS TYPE OF
GOVERNMENT
The people of Lebanon are a diverse group of people. Once part
of the Ottoman Empire and controlled by the French after WWI,
Their culture and history have been mixed over time. This Arab
country’s religious majority is Islam but is broken into Sunni, Shiite,
and Druze. There is also a large Christian presence in this
country. Arabic is the primary language but many people still
speak French, a reminder of there presence and influence after
the war.
Lebanese Food
• Mezze- many small dishes of
food
•Kebbe-mutton pounded and
served with crushed wheat
Merchants
Lebanon is famous for its
merchants. Every type of product
and cuisine is available.
Religion and People
•Ethnic groups: 95% Arab, 4% Armenian
and 1% other
•Religions: 70% Muslim, 30% Christian
•Family important part of Lebanese culture
•Phoenicians, inventors of alphabet,
originated in Lebanon
Arts
•Booming art industry with many big
names
•Pop music is really popular
•Big theater and film making industry
•Total Land Area: 10,400 sq. km
(.7x size of Connecticut)
•Population: 3,727,703 (July ’03)
•Capital: Beirut
•Government Type: Republic
•Prime Minister Fuad SINIORA
•Chief of State: President Michel
SULAYMAN
•Chief Domestic Exports:
foodstuffs, tobacco, and textiles
•Languages: Arabic (off.), French,
English, Armenian
•Literacy Rate: 87.4%
Michel SULAYMAN was elected president by the
National Assembly for a six-year term (may not serve
consecutive terms); election last held 25 May 2008
(next to be held in 2014); the prime minister and
deputy prime minister appointed by the president in
consultation with the National Assembly
unicameral National Assembly or Majlis Alnuwab (Arabic) or
Assemblee Nationale (French) (128 seats; members
elected by popular vote on the basis of sectarian
proportional representation to serve four-year terms)
elections: last held in four rounds on 29 May, 5, 12, 19 June
2005 (next to be held in 2009)
election results: percent of vote by group - NA; seats by
group - Future Movement Bloc 36; Democratic Gathering
15; Development and Resistance Bloc 15; Free Patriotic
Movement 15; Loyalty to the Resistance 14; Qornet
Shehwan 6; Lebanese Forces 5; Popular Bloc 4; Tripoli
Independent Bloc 3; Kataeb Reform Movement 2; Syrian
National Socialist Party 2; Tashnaq 2; Syrian Ba'th Party 1;
Democratic Left 1; Democratic Renewal Movement 1;
Kataeb Party 1; Nasserite Popular Movement 1;
independent 4
Representative Democracy
Government in which people elect representatives who hold the
decision making power.
REPUBLIC
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
1. Citizens are involved in
decision making through their
representatives, lobbying, and
voting.
2. Representatives are aware
their job depends on meeting the
needs of their constituents.
1. Decision making is time
consuming. Desire of
representatives to please
everyone may cripple system.
3. More likely that all elements of
the population are represented.
4. Generally, reps are educated
and more-capable citizens who
can devote time needed to solve
complex problems.
2. Representatives may not
always agree with those they
represent.
3. Lack of involved citizenry
may allow special interest
groups to influence or
dominate representatives.
This country was created after WWI when Brittan, who was
in control of the area, named an Arab Prince as its
Monarch. In the 1940’s it became an independent state.
Most of its people are Bedouins. These nomadic people live
predominately in the dessert areas of Southwest Asia but
manage to squeak out living the same way their ancestors
have for thousands of years.
After World War II and the
establishment of Israel,
Hundreds of thousands of
refugees flooded into the
country from Palestine. This
influx of people put such an
economic strain on this
young country, that it still is
struggling to overcome it
even today.
Jordan’s harsh environment, lack of natural resources, and
shortage of fresh water makes it dependant on economic aide
from oil rich Middle East countries and the United States.
The democratic
reforms put in
place by the late
King Hussein offer
the people of
Jordan the best
chance to have a
say in the future
of their country
and their lives.
constitutional
monarchy
chief of state: King ABDALLAH II (since 7
February 1999); Prince HUSSEIN (born
1994), eldest son of King ABDALLAH II, is
considered to be first in line to inherit the
throne
head of government: Prime Minister Nader
al-DAHABI (since 25 November 2007)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the prime
minister in consultation with the monarch
elections: the monarch is hereditary; prime
minister appointed by the monarch
bicameral National Assembly or Majlis al'Umma consists of the Senate, also called
the House of Notables or Majlis al-Ayan (55
seats; members appointed by the monarch
from designated categories of public figures
to serve four-year terms) and the Chamber
of Deputies, also called the House of
Representatives or Majlis al-Nuwaab (110
seats; members elected by popular vote on
the basis of proportional representation to
serve four-year terms; note - six seats are
reserved for women and are allocated by a
special electoral panel if no women are
elected)
Constitutional
Monarchy
A government with a written plan, or constitution, that
includes a monarch as a ceremonial leader and a parliament
or other legislature to make the laws.
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
1. Citizens are involved in
decision making through their
representatives, lobbying, and
voting.
2. Representatives are aware
their job depends on meeting the
needs of their constituents.
1. Decision making is time
consuming. Desire of
representatives to please
everyone may cripple system.
3. More likely that all elements of
the population are represented.
4. Monarch has almost celebrity status
with the people. Are not held
responsible for unpopular decisions,
yet can help form public opinion
2. Representatives may not
always agree with those they
represent.
3. Lack of involved citizenry
may allow special interest
groups to influence or
dominate representatives.