Introduction
In the contemporary world, different countries have different forms of government with some being run by president, others by prime minister while others are still being run by king or queen. The world now being a global village, all governments are aiming at uniting their regions to achieve the dream of one world. Uniting the world will require putting all individual differences aside and forge ahead towards one goal. The world has already been split into three depending on economic endowment thus; first, middle and third world. Good governance helps achieve the best results which are driven by good political will and non tolerance to corruption. Most countries in the continent, Africa, have been described as dictatorial and non democratic and in most cases involved in resources misuse, thus making them lag behind in economic issues. The government may be described as the “body within a community….a political or organizational entity which has the authority to make and enforce rules, laws and regulations” (Rasmussen, Thomas, Peterson, Steven, Heinemann and Robert, 1995).
Governments can be of several types; authoritarian, constitutional monarchy, constitutional republic, democratic states, dictatorial, plutocracy, oligarchy, theocracy, or totalitarian. The government of Morocco and the government of US are two governments that govern two different areas and hence difference is inevitable.
This report brings out the differences between the governments of Morocco and the United States of America. It outlines the major differences in the forms of system each government is using in the executive, judiciary and legislature; it also gives the differences between other aspects of the state or country such as; flags, constitutions, common laws, colonizers and suffrage.
Descriptions of Moroccan government
Morocco is a Constitutional monarchy ruled by a King who has powers to appoint or dismiss the Prime Minister. It has a bicameral parliament consisting of 325 members (chamber of representative elected for five years terms, 295 elected by constituencies and 30 from a national lists of women), 270 seat chamber of advisors in the upper house chosen for nine year term from professional association trade unions and elected local councils.
The king is head of state and the Prime Minister is the head of government. The king has powers to dissolve legislature. There are 29 officially recognized political parties in this democratic country. 16 administrative divisions are present and are administered by Walis (governors) appointed by the king. The flag has:- green pentacle (five pointed linear stars) known as Sulayman’s (Solomom’s) seal in the center of the flag; red green are traditional colors in Arab flags (Morocco Africa para. 9). Morocco was colonized by the French and got independence on 2 March 1956 (Moroccan Government para. 2). It is governed by the Islamic common law although the French and Spanish civil laws are al so entrenched in the constitution, which regulates the operations of the monarch which is not yet under the jurisdiction of the ICJ. For one to vote in Morocco, he must be 21 years and above (Morocco Africa para.12).
Description of the US government
US is a Federal republic with strong democratic tradition, it is administered in 50 states and 1 district. It got its independence on 4 July 1776 from Great Britain. Its constitution was enacted on 17th Sept 1787 and became effective 4 March 1789. Legal systems are based on English common law, the judicial review of legislative acts and it accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations. Its Suffrage is 18 years of age universal. The Executive branch is made of the Chief of state and the head of government who is the president. The Vice president is appointed by the president who serves as his assistant while the Cabinet is also appointed by the head of state with senate approval. In terms of elections; president and his vice are elected on the same ticket by a college of representatives who are elected directly from each state, for a four years term. The federal government is entrenched in the constitution where the three branches (executive, legislature and judicially) work independently (Morocco Africa para. 6).
The legislature is made up of a house of representative (435 voting members) each representing a congress district. Each state has two senators represented in the house, hence a total of 100 senators serving for a term of six years. One third of the senate stands to be re-elected every two years while the judicial system has supreme courts where justices are appointed for life by the president with confirmation of the senate. Political parties are three which are the Democratic Party, Green party, Republican Party (Rasmussen, et. al. 1995). The US flag contains stars that tend to be a representation of the fifty American states and the white stripes provide a representation of the thirteen original colonies in America.
Differences
As seen in the descriptions, the differences of the government range in style, working and structure; each country has its unique way of governing its citizens towards a better and working nation. No one can leave out the factor of location when it comes to differences. US is in North America while Morocco is in Africa. The best thing to bring out is most of the countries in Africa are third world countries and Morocco is no exception while US is a first world country. The difference in number of states is also visible where US has 50 states while Morocco has 16 states (Moroccan Government para. 7).
The difference in the common law that governs them is evident with the US being governed by common English laws while Morocco by common Islam laws. The structure and form of government in the US is federal while that of Morocco is constitutional monarchy. The federal system in the US gives them a better democratic position than when one king is entrusted with most of the orders and appointment. Succession tends to be the norm in Morocco as the current King succeeded his father in 1999. The king also serves as the country’s spiritual and moral guide. In America the president is given the constitutional powers for four years where now President elect Barrack Obama will rule for four years then go back to the electorate for re-elections. This gives rooms for other leaders who have other qualities to lead the nation. While the president is both head of government and head of state in US, the King is the head of state and the Prime Minister is Head of government in Morocco (United States North America para. 8).
The difference in the numbers in the house is also an aspect where in Morocco there are 325 members in the higher chambers and 270 in the lower chambers, while US has 435 in the congress and 100 senators. Moreover, the Moroccan government or constitution reserves 30 seats for female representatives, while the US government’s representatives are all elected by the people (Rasmussen, et al., 1995).
The parliament representatives in Morocco are elected every five years and the lower house council for nine years while in US it is done after six years for the congress men and four years for the senators. The president works as the head of state and the head of government in US but does not act as a spiritual leader, which is the case in Morocco.
The number of political parties in each country is different with the US having three political parties and Morocco having 29 officially recognized parties. Morocco has not accepted ICJ jurisdictions while US has, though with reservations. The difference in suffrage at 18 and 21 years in the countries make a big gap in the age of people to be involved in democratic activities. The flag and national anthem is a symbol used to unite the citizens of a country and they mean and look different in each country.
Conclusion
In the light of all these differences, the vision and mission of making a united globe is laid at stake by the form of government that each country has global unity can be effectively realized where each country experiences internal cohesion and unified source of power, otherwise the situation becomes shaky and unpredictable. These differences are brought about by cultures, religion among other diversities. All forms of government in any place should promote democracy, unity and freedom, while giving opportunities to every individual. This will enhance better administration of the people, which brings about development and success. Morocco has vested many powers in the King which he can misuse indiscriminately, a case witnessed in most African countries where the powers are vested on individuals, who misuse them with impunity
People are now well educated about their rights and are forsaking traditions to be able to live in a world full of opportunities. The US has been a good example of good democracy where the rule of law is respected by everyone including the president himself. The governments of Africa have also been used as specimen by western nations to test government systems before they are applied, making it unethical for these nations to continue with their dominance. Morocco, though seen as dictatorial has reformed in gender equality as can be seen by the reservation of 30 seats for women. This should serve an example for others to consider the marginalized, disabled, the youth, and gender in the running of the government so as to be a government of the people, by the people and to work for the people.
Works Cited
“Morocco Africa.” Morocco Africa: Government. Travel Document Systems. 2009. Web.
“Moroccan Government.” Moroccan-American Trade. 2009. Web.
Rasmussen, Thomas H. et al. American Government. Columbus, McGraw-Hill Professional. 1995. Web.
“United States North America”. United States North America: government. Travel Document Systems. 2009. Web.