Dictatorships, Oligarchies, Head of State, The role of Religion

Dictatorships and Oligarchies

Dictatorship

In Dictatorships: 1. Individuals or small groups of people control all of the state institutions 2. These people: obtain power using violence.

There is no real citizen participation

Characteristics

There is no separation of powers

There is no rule of law: the rulers can break the law without being punished

Some dictatorships have democratic institutions. They hold elections and have parlaments. However:

They are no true democracies

In a republic: the head of state is the president

States are republics or monarchies

In a monarchy: the head of state is the king or queen.

The Head of State

Is the official leader of the state.

However, other states consider religion as a private choice, so they treat all religions equally.

The Role of Religion

If we classify states by how they treat religion, there are three main groups:

For many people in the worl, their religion is a very important part of their lives.

Secular State: have no official religion. Citizens are free to practise any religion.

Some states: give special privileges to the religion that is practised by most people in the country. .

Confessional states: have an official religion.Theocracies: are ruled by leaders

Case study: Saudi Arabia

Punishments for crimes: whipping, amputation and death penalties

Saudi Arabia: is a theocracy. This country is ruled according to islamic law.

He governs with a Council of Ministers. This Council is made up of members of the Royal Family

King: Abdullah bin Abd al-Aziz: is the head of state and the head of government.

It is against the law to practise other religions

The elections are not free and fair:

Sometimes not everyone can vote and results are manipulated

The Parliament: Is controlled by the rulers. Can´t make its own decissions

States that are really dictatorships are often called false democracies

In dictatorships: the head of state is the dictator

Many states have a prime minister (the head of the government, not the head of the whole state.

The prime minister is often the most powerful person in the state