European Government Systems United Kingdom Germany Russia

Review of Government Types Distribution of Power ▫Unitary  Central government has all the power ▫United Kingdom Regional Authority Central Authority

Review of Government Types Distribution of Power ▫Confederation  Loose Alliance – European Union  Political units control their own laws  Central government makes decision only on issues that affect the entire group Central Authority Regional Authority

Review of Government Types Distribution of Power ▫Federal  Power divided between central government and smaller political units - Germany Central Authority Regional Authority

Review of Government Types Citizen Participation ▫Autocracy  One leader controls power  Citizens do not participate ▫Oligarchy  Small group controls power  Small group of citizens are the only ones that participate ▫Democracy  People have full and equal rights to participate

Parliamentary v. Presidential Parliamentary ▫Head of the executive branch (Prime Minister) is chosen from the legislature (Parliament). ▫Prime Minister is accountable to their party in the legislature.  Executive power is vested in a cabinet  Cabinet is composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature ▫Stays in power as long as their party stays in power.  Example... Great Britain, Germany, Canada, Australia. Presidential ▫Democratically elected position  Independent of the legislature ▫A president presides over an executive branch that is separate from the legislature  Examples... USA, Mexico

Summarizing Activity – True or False 1.Citizens participate fully in a democracy. 2.Citizens participate fully in an autocracy. 3.The central government controls all power in a unitary system. 4.Federal systems divide power between a central government and smaller units.

Chief of State vs. Head of Government Chief of State ▫Leader who represents the state at official and ceremonial functions  May not be involved in the day-to-day functions of the government Head of Government ▫Top administrative leader who is to manage the day-to-day activities of the government

United Kingdom Parliamentary Democracy ▫Prime Minister – head of the government – Parliament holds the power  PM is a member of the House of Commons and leader of their party  PM isn’t directly voted for by the public – leader of the majority party ▫Monarch – ceremonial head of state – holds very little power ▫Parliament has two houses  House of Lords – position is appointed – no elections  House of Commons – elected by the public – 5 yr. term ▫Citizens are granted basic rights and personal freedoms  Right to vote – 18 yrs. old  Freedom of speech, press, religion and assembly

British Legislature Voters - Public Parliament House of Lords House of Commons Prime Minister Elects Leader of Majority Appointed

Let’s Review... United Kingdom Chief of StateHead of Government GovernmentVoting Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Prime Minister Monarchy - Hereditary Prime Minister - Leader of the majority party - Not directly elected House of Commons - Members elected - 5 yr. terms House of Lords - Appointed to position - No elections 18

Germany Federal Republic ▫Powers of the central government are restricted ▫Local government (states, colonies) retain some degree of self-government Breakdown of Powers ▫President – head of state with limited power ▫Chancellor – head of government – majority of power  Elected by Germany’s Parliament Voters – at the age of 18 ▫Able to directly determine who is chosen to represent them in the government  Guaranteed the right to vote and equal rights  Guaranteed freedom of speech, religion and press

German Legislature Federal Convention Voters – Public State Governments President Bundestag (Federal Assembly) Bundestag (Federal Assembly) Bundesrat (Federal Council) Bundesrat (Federal Council) Parliament Chancellor ElectsElectAppoint Members Elects

Let’s Review... Germany Chief of StateHead of Government GovernmentVoting PresidentChancellorPresident - 5 yr. term - Elected by a Federal Convention (All members of Federal Assembly and equal number of representatives from the state parliaments vote) Chancellor - 4 yr. term - Elected by an absolute majority in the Federal Assembly Bicameral Legislature - Federal Council (Bundesrat) - No elections - Federal Assembly (Bundestag) - Popular Vote – 4 yr. term 18

Russia Federal ▫Power is shared between the federal and local governments ▫Federal government influences both individuals and regional units Voters – 18 years old ▫Able to vote for representatives ▫Guaranteed the right to vote and equal rights  Guaranteed freedom of speech, religion and press  Freedoms are limited due to government pressure  Government owns national TV and radio stations - censor ▫President is elected by the people. – Head of State ▫Prime Minister appointed by the President. – Head of Gov’t Legislature – much weaker than the President  Legislature consists of 2 houses  Federal Council and the State Duma

Russian Legislature Voters - Public President Elects Appoints with approval of the Duma State Duma Federation Council Federal Assembly Voters - Public Elects Prime Minister

Let’s Review... Russia Chief of StateHead of Government GovernmentVoting PresidentPrime Minister (Premier) President - 4 yr. term - Elected by popular vote - No Vice President Premier - 4 yr. term - Elected by an absolute majority in the Federal Assembly Federation Assembly - Federation Council - Appointed – 4 yr. terms - State Duma - Popular Vote – 4 yr. term 18