Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The following nations in Southwest Asia (often referred to as the Middle East) are widely characterized by political scientists as having autocratic or authoritarian systems of governance:
These states typically feature concentrated executive power, limited political pluralism, restricted civil liberties, and a lack of free, competitive elections. Governance models range from theocratic republics (Iran) to absolute monarchies (Saudi Arabia, Oman) and mixed systems with dominant ruling families or parties.