International Studies comparison paper of Bahrain and Singapore from 2009

2. Bahrain and Singapore
Kingdom of Bahrain Republic of Singapore
Constitutional Monarchy Parliamentary Republic
Independence – August 15, 1971 Independence – August 9, 1965
Constitution – February 14, 2002 Constitution – June 3, 1959;
amended 1965
Chief of State – King HAMAD Chief of State – President S R
bin Isa Al-Khalifa Nathan
Head of Government – Prime Head of Government – Prime
Minister KHALIFA bin Salman Minister LEE Hsien Loong
Al-Khalifa

3. Bahrain and Singapore
Middle East Southeast Asia
Arabian Gulf Singapore Strait
273 square miles 265 square miles
100 mile coastline 120 mile coastline
728 thousand people 4.6 million people
Oil, natural gas, fish, pearls Fish, deep water ports

4. Bahrain and Singapore

5. Bahrain and Singapore
Bahraini Dinar (BD) Singaporean Dollar (SD)
5.2% unemployment 5.4% unemployment
GDP – $13 Billion (USD) GDP – $132 Billion (USD)
GDP Per Capita - $17,773 GDP Per Capita - $29,474

6. Bahrain
LEGISLA TU RE EX ECU TIVE JU D ICIA RY
B ic a m e ra l P a rlia m e n t
C h ie f o f S ta te A p p o in ts H ig h C iv il A p p e a ls C o u rt
in ts K in g (In d e p e n d e n t w / rig h t o f
A ppo H e re d ita ry ju d ic ia l re v ie w )
S h u ra (C o n s u ltiv e ) C o u n c il
(4 0 M e m b e rs )
4 -y e a r te rm
s
int
po
P
Ap
U
Appoints
H e a d o f G o v e rn m e n t
B P rim e M in is te r
L
He
I
ad
s
C
C o u n c il o f R e p re s e n ta tiv e s
E le c ts C o u n c il o f M in is te rs
(4 0 M e m b e rs )
(C a b in e t)
4 -y e a r te rm
P o litic a l S tru c tu re o f th e B a h ra in i G o v e rn m e n t

7. Singapore
EX ECU TIVE LEGISLATU RE
U n ic a m e ra l P a rlia m e n t
JU D ICIA RY
E le c ts
C h ie f o f S ta te H ig h C o u rt
P re s id e n t A p p o in ts (A d v is e d b y P rim e M in is te r) ( S u p re m e C o u rt)
6 -y e a r te rm C h ie f J u s tic e
A p p o in ts (A d v is e d b y C h ie f J u s tic e )
Ap
Appoints
po
int
s
E le c ts
P a rlia m e n t
P 84 m em ber
5 -y e a r te rm S u b o rd in a te C o u rts
U
Appoints
B H e a d o f G o v e rn m e n t
P rim e M in is te r 9 P o litic a lly N e u tra l
(3 O p p o s itio n a l
L P o litic a l P a rtie s )
C o u rt o f A p p e a l
I
C
T h e C a b in e t
P o litic a l S tru c tu re o f th e S in g a p o re a n G o v e rn m e n t

8. Bahrain and Singapore
Executive and Legislative
Executive Executive
King/Monarch - Hereditary President – Elected by popular vote (6-year
term)
Prime Minister - appointed by the King
Prime Minister – appointed by the President
Council of Ministers – cabinet appointed by
The Cabinet – appointed by President, on the
King
advice of Prime Minister
Legislative Legislative
Bicameral Legislature – 80 members known Unicameral Legislature – 84 members elected
as the National Assembly. by popular vote, at least 1 minority.
Consultative Council – 40 members 9 politically neutral members may be
appointed by King nominated by the President
Chamber of Deputies – 40 members elected 3 additional members may be appointed from
by direct popular vote. oppositional political parties.
Elected for 4 - 6 year terms
Appointed and elected for 4 year terms
Voting – All citizens over age 21.
Voting – All citizens over age 18.

9. Bahrain and Singapore
Judiciary & Military
Judiciary Judiciary
High Civil Court of Appeals – Appointed by Supreme Court – Chief Justice appointed by
President, on advice of Prime Minister.
Head of State
Subordinate Courts – appointed by President,
Based on Islamic Law (Sharia) and Tribal on advice of Chief Justice
Law Based on English Common Law; has not
Judiciary is independent with right to accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
judicial review. Court of Appeals.
Military Military
Bahrain Defense Force (BDF) – 8,250 Army – 50,000
Ground Force (Air Defense) – 1,500 Air Force – 13,500
Naval Fore – 1,200 Navy – 9,000
4.9% of GDP
4.5 % of GDP
Association of Southeast Asian Nations
Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) (ASEAN)
Arab League Five-Power Defense Arrangement
United Nations

10. Bahrain and Singapore
Bahrain’s Tree of Life Singapore’s Lion Head
Symbol of powerful life sustaining force Singa Pura – Lion City
Shajarat al-Hayah Symbolizes courage, strength and excellence, and resilience
4 century old mesquite tree in the face of challenges.
One of nature’s most baffling creations Mane’s five partings - Nation's ideals of democracy, peace,
progress, justice and equality
Flag Significance Flag Significance
Five points – Symbolize the five pillars of Islam Crescent Moon - represents a rising young nation
Red – Traditional color for flags of Persian Gulf Five Stars - Nation's ideals of democracy, peace,
states progress, justice and equality

11. Bahrain and Singapore
References
•CIA - The World Factbook - Bahrain (May 14, 2009). Retrieved June 29, 2009, from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/BA.html
•CIA - The World Factbook - Singapore (January 15, 2009). Retrieved June 29, 2009, from
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/SN.html
•Singapore Government Directory Interactive - PARLIAMENT OF SINGAPORE (2009, June 24, 2009). Retrieved
June 29, 2009, from http://app.sgdi.gov.sg
•SINGOV: Government Who's Who (2004, November 3, 2008). Retrieved June 29, 2009, from
http://www.gov.sg/whoiswho.htm
•Supreme Court Singapore - Justice in Singapore (July 6, 2009). Retrieved July 7, 2009, from
http://app.supremecourt.gov.sg/default.aspx?pgID=1
•Your Official Gateway to Singapore (July 6, 2009). Retrieved July 7, 2009, from http://app.www.sg/