The U.S and U.A.E Governments: Comparative Characteristics

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Definition of Republic & Monarchy
Similarities
Differences
Conclusion
References

Introduction

In the current world scenario, there exist the following political systems: Republic , Democracy , Dictatorship , Theocracy , Communism , and Monarchy .

Definition of Republic & Monarchy

The word republic comes from the Latin words res publica meaning public affair that in turn indicates a country that is owned and controlled by its people. The United States of America is a Federal Republic that is governed by representative democracy (Politicsdefined.com). Article IV, Section 4 of the countrys Constitution states: The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government. There is also an important phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance which states: and to the republic for which it stands (Thisnation.com).

The word monarch is derived from the Greek words monos arkheim that signifies one ruler. A monarchy is a type of government that features a monarch as head of state. The U.A.E, which comprises 7 emirates is unofficially considered to be a federal state as a whole, but since each of its 7 components are monarchies, each having its own monarch known as an Emir, the country is officially designated as a monarchy (Politicsdefined.com), albeit a monarchy with a difference, namely, it is a sort of joint monarchy where the 7 monarchs comprise the Supreme Council that runs the country (UAE-embassy.org).

Similarities

The first similarity between the U.S and U.A.E governments is that both are headed by Presidents who in turn are assisted by Vice Presidents. In the U.S, President Barack Obama is assisted by Vice President Joe Biden, while in the U.A.E, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan is assisted by Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum . The President and Vice President of the U.A.E are elected for a term of 5 years (UAE-embassy.org) which is also the case in the U.S.

The second similarity is that the judiciary forms an important part of both governments that controls the law and order situation in the country. In the U.S, the Supreme Court is at the highest level, followed by the trial courts, appellate courts, and other lower courts. In the UAE, it is the Federal Supreme Court that is the countrys highest court, followed by the Courts of First Instance and other lower courts (Mapsofworld.com).

The third similarity between both governments is that they adhere to international laws, support the United Nations Organization in its role as the global watchdog, and make appreciative efforts to support U.N recommendations and resolutions. A good example of this is both nations positive response by sending some of their troops to form an international military force authorized by the U.N that ultimately ejected Iraq from Kuwait during the 1990/1991 Gulf War.

Differences

The first difference between the two governments is their decision making process. The U.S.s Republican system allows the U.S people to elect a small number of representatives called Senators who form the Congress which is entrusted with arriving at policy decisions on behalf of the people of the country (Thisnation.com). National governing power is divided between a central/federal government and state/provincial governments (Politics.defined.com). In the U.A.E, while it is assisted by the Cabinet and a 40-member parliament , it is the Supreme Council that is the ultimate authority in arriving at policy decisions. It has the power to approve or reject any decision that is recommended by the Council of Ministers or the FNC (UAE-embassy.org).

The second difference between the two governments is that while people elect their representatives to rule them in the U.S Republic, the population of the U.A.E has very little say in the governance of their countries . The Emirs who comprise the Supreme Council, who also elect the President and Vice President from among its members, are monarchs. They hold their status as head of state of their respective emirates for life. They are succeeded by members of the same royal family that has ruled each emirate (Politics.defined.com). It is these Emirs, who, as members of the totally authoritative Supreme Council, rule the country (UAE-embassy.org).

The third difference lies in the composition of the cabinet in both countries. The U.S cabinet is headed by the countrys vice president and contains the heads of 15 executive departments, namely, State, Agriculture, Commerce, Defence, Veterans Affairs, Education, Health & Human Services, Treasury, Energy, Transportation, Interior, Homeland Security, Labour, Housing & Urban Development and Justice. It is the U.S President who, subject to confirmation by the U.S Senate, appoints the Secretaries (About.com). The U.A.E cabinet is headed by the prime minister who in turn appoints the cabinet . The U.A.E cabinet includes 2 deputy prime ministers, 5 ministers of state and the heads of 18 executive departments, namely, Defence, Finance, Interior, Presidential Affairs, Foreign Affairs, Education, Higher Education & Scientific Research, Public Works, Foreign Trade, Cabinet Affairs, Energy, Economy, Social Affairs, Health, Culture, Youth & Community Development, Environment & Water, Labour and Justice (UAE-embassy.org).

The fourth difference is that both governments are governed by constitutions that do not provide equal rights for men and women. Like the U.S, women in the U.A.E face no discrimination in matters like legal status, right to education, right to inherit property, access to employment, health and family welfare benefits. They do face discrimination in their right to run for public office. While women in the U.A.E were totally banned from this right before 2006, new regulations passed in December that year has now allowed them a partial reprieve women can now hold office only in the FNC and even then subject to a limiting number of one-fifth of that organization. A further concession was allowed to female in November 2008 when their term of office was extended from 2 to 4 years (UAE-embassy.org).

Conclusion

Although both countries have governments of differing political systems, they exist as honourable nations in the present world order. An impartial review of both governments does indicate that their individual political system is suitable to their countrys size, type and volume of their natural resources and the composition and needs of their population. This goes on to prove that, irrespective of which political system a government follows, it is the integrity of its leaders and officials in various levels that ultimately decides how well its objective is achieved.

References

Forms of Government. Politicsdefined.com. 2005. Web.

Is the United States a Democracy? Thisnation.com. 2009. Web.

The UAE Government. Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Washington D.C. 2009. Web.

United Arab Emirates Judiciary. Mapsofworld.com. 2008. Web.

What Is the Presidents Cabinet? About.com. 2009. Web.

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