Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Compare the types of leadership in Iran and Saudi Arabia. How are they the same, how do they differ? *why should both be considered...

I would define authoritarian government as one in which the government does not have to obey any (or many) rules.  The government can act in any way that it wishes.  It will generally try to repress its people -- it will take away their rights in order to keep itself in power or in order to maintain the system that it likes (regardless of what the people think).  I think it is fair to say that both Iran and Saudi Arabia qualify.


In its defense, Iran is democratic to some extent.  It does have elected officials.  However, the last election showed that the people in power are not likely to allow the opposition to take power away from them.  Iran also has an unelected religious leadership that can overrule the elected government.  This religious leadership has imposed a certain set of rules (based on their religious values) on their people.


Saudi Arabia is perhaps less brutal with its people.  On the other hand, it is not even democratic.  It is a hereditary monarchy.  In Saudi Arabia, the people have no say in choosing their national government.  The government is also quite willing to impose its values.  For example, women are not allowed to drive and are required to have male guardians who must approve of all their actions.


So both are authoritarian and both are somewhat of theocracies.  Iran has more democracy, but Saudi Arabia is perhaps less brutal.

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