RONALD O.

ONGUDA
POLITICAL SYSTEM IN SOUTHWEST ASIA
Country ARMENIA AZERBAIJAN BAHRAIN CYPRUS GEORGIA IRAN IRAQ ISRAEL JORDAN KUWAIT LEBANON OMAN PALESTINE QATAR SAUDI ARABIA SYRIA TURKEY UAE YEMEN Form of Government Presidential republic Presidential republic Constitutional monarchy Presidential republic Presidential republic Theocratic republic Parliamentary republic Parliamentary republic Constitutional monarchy Constitutional monarchy Parliamentary republic Absolute monarchy Semi-presidential republic Constitutional monarchy Absolute monarchy Semi-presidential republic Parliamentary republic Absolute monarchy Presidential republic Party System Multi-party Dominant-party State-dominated party Multi-party Multi-party State-dominated party Multi-party Multi-party Multi-party State-dominated party Multi-party No party Dominant-party State-dominated party No party Dominant-party Multi-party No party Dominant-party Elections Partly Free Not Free Not Free Free Partly Free Not Free Not Free Free Partly Free Partly Free Partly Free Not Free Not Free Not Free Not Free Not Free Partly Free Not Free Not Free

AB Economics IIIA

Ideology Democracy Semi-Democracy Traditional Democracy Semi-Democracy Islamic Semi-Democracy Democracy Semi-Democracy Semi-Democracy Semi-Democracy Traditional Islamic Traditional Islamic Totalitarianism Democracy Traditional Semi-Democracy

The political situation in Southwest Asia is generally characterized by struggles, conflicts, and violence as the region modernizes and embraces new ideas. Tensions in the region are often caused by the irreconcilable differences among its people. Peace and stability remains unattainable as Arabs and Israelis fought over the statehood of Palestine. Armenia and Azerbaijan clash over territorial disputes, while Georgia struggles to enforce its sovereignty over areas controlled by foreign-backed rebels. Cyprus remained divided between Greeks (South) and Turks (North) which are both defiant over their right in the island. On the other hand, Irans nuclear program is seen as a threat by Israel which seeks help from the West. The internet technology also had enormous impact on the politics of the region by providing massive awareness among the people of Southwest Asia. It helped sparked the Arab Spring which seeks reform and change in the governments of the Arab countries. The ensuing Syrian Civil War is becoming more destructive which caused international attention. Moreover, freedom and human rights are severely limited due to the tyrannical political system prevailing in the region. Only few people enjoy free and fair elections, while many are ruled by authoritarian governments.