Comparing SE Asian Governments

Comparing SE Asian Governments

India

• The type of government is parliamentary democracy
• The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the national government, and the President is the head of state
• The Prime Minister is elected by members of parliament from the majority party
• There is a bicameral parliament called Sansad
• Indians 18 and older can vote in elections for one house of parliament
• The constitution guarantees certain rights and equality for women
• Elements of the former caste system and untouchable workers still remain

Japan

• The type of government is parliamentary democracy
• The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the government, the Emperor serves in a ceremonial role as head of state
• The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in parliament, while the Emperor is hereditary
• There is a Bicameral parliament which is called the Diet
• Citizens 18 and older can vote in elections for both houses of parliament
• The country is faulted for not providing enough opportunities for younger people

South Korea

• The type of government is presidential democracy
• The President is chief executive and head of state, and the Prime minister assists president
• The President is elected by the people, and the Prime minister is chosen by the president and National Assembly
• There is Unicameral legislature called National Assembly
• Citizens age 19 and older can vote for nearly all members of National Assembly, citizens also directly elect a president
• Their freedom is still not absolute, it is a crime to sympathize with N. Korea
• Censored songs, plays, and books are writings in Japanese
• Discrimination of workers from other Asian countries is present

North Korea

• The type of government is autocracy (communist state)
• There is a Military supreme commander, chief of state and premier
• The Supreme commander is hereditary
• The Chief of state serves as head of state
• The premier leads the government and oversees the cabinet
• The Supreme People's Assembly meets once a year to ratify decisions already made by the Korean Workers' Party
• Citizens 17 and up can vote, but only the Korean Workers' Party can select candidates
• Citizens do not have extensive influence in government
• Individual rights are extremely restricted by government

China

• The type of government is Autocracy/Oligarchy (communist state)
• The premier is the chief executive and highest-ranking government official, and the president serves as the head of state
• Legislature of China elects the president
• The president nominates a premier, and Congress approves them
• Legislature is called the National People's Congress
• It mostly approves decisions already made by the Chinese Communist Party
• Chinese citizens 18 and up can vote, but only members of the Chinese Communist Party can be candidates
• People have no way to change government through elections
• The government restricts people's rights which includes speech, religion, press, etc.