GOVERNMENTS! AGAIN

CITIZEN PARTICIPATION REVIEW!

Who am I? Democracy, Oligarchy, Autocracy ◦ In my country, we have a single ruler with unlimited power. ◦ In my country, citizens have the power to make changes in the government because they can vote. ◦ My country is governed by a small group of wealthy people.

Autocracy 1.Who holds the power in an autocracy? ◦ A single (ONE) ruler with unlimited power. 2.How do citizens participate in an autocracy? ◦ Citizens cannot vote for the ruler or vote on the country’s laws. 3.What are the benefits to an autocracy? ◦ Decisions for the country can be made quickly. ◦ There is a clear person in charge. 4.What are the problems with an autocracy? ◦ The needs of the citizens may be ignored. ◦ The leader may make poor or selfish decisions that hurt the citizens.

Autocracy 5. If citizens can’t participate in an autocracy, how do rulers get their power? ◦ Usually the power to rule the country is inherited (kings/queens) or is taken by military force. 6. What are two main types of autocracies ? ◦ Dictatorship – Leader uses force to control citizens. ◦ Absolute Monarchy- The monarch (King/Queen) has absolute power (not a constitutional monarchy!!!)

Oligarchy 1.Who holds power in an oligarchy? ◦ The country is ruled by a small group of wealthy people. 2.How do citizens participate in an oligarchy? ◦ Citizens do NOT vote for the rulers or vote on the country’s laws. 3.If citizens do NOT get to participate, how do the rulers take power? ◦ The group gets their power from either religion, military force, or wealth & resources.

Democracy 1.Who holds the power in a democracy? ◦ The citizens hold the power of the government. 2.How do citizens participate in a democracy? ◦ Citizens have the opportunity to participate in the government: ◦ All citizens have the opportunity to be a leader. ◦ All citizens have the opportunity to vote for leaders & laws.

Democracy ◦ What are the 2 types of democracies?

Presidential Democracy 1.Who is the leader of a presidential democracy? ◦ President 2.How is the leader of a presidential democracy? ◦ The citizens vote directly for the leader of the country. ◦ Citizens also vote for members of the legislature, but separately from the leader. 3.Does the leader make the laws in a presidential democracy? ◦ NO!! The leader of the country does not make the laws. The legislature does!!!

Parliamentary Democracy 1.Who is the leader (executive branch) of a parliamentary democracy? ◦ Prime Minister 2.How is the Prime Minister elected? ◦ The citizens vote for members of the legislature, not directly for the leader. ◦ The legislature then chooses the country’s leader among its members. 3.Does the Prime Minister make laws? ◦ YES! The leader is part of the legislature, so he/she has a hand in making laws.

POWER DISTRIBUTION REVIEW!

Power Distribution Each country has to decide how to divide power between the central government and regional government levels. This has nothing to do with the ruler/leader and the citizens!!!! There are 2 different levels of government in every country! 1.Central Government (also called National Government) 2.Regional Government (also called Local Governments) 1.States (Georgia, Florida, etc) 2.Providences (similar to states) 3.Territories (Puerto Rico) 4.Cities (Dallas, Atlanta) 5.Counties (Paulding)

Unitary 1.How does a Unitary Government divide power between its central (national) government and its regional (local) governments? ◦ All the power is held by the STRONG central government. ◦ STRONG central government assigns responsitibilties to the WEAKER regional governments. 2.What are some benefits to a unitary government? ◦ Having a strong central government allows it to make all major decisions quickly and easily. 3.What are some disadvantages to a unitary government? ◦ State and local governments have little control over their own government areas. ◦ Unitary governments may not be less democratic (when ordinary citizens get to vote) than other forms--it all depends on who is in charge!

Unitary Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt Weak regional Govt. Weak regional Govt. Strong Central Govt.

Confederation 1. How do confederate governments divide power between central and regional governments? ◦ Confederation is opposite of a Unitary government. ◦ In a confederation the STRONG REGIONAL governments assign powers and responsibilities to a WEAK CENTRAL government. 2. What is the benefits of a confederation? ◦ They voluntarily work together for some common purpose and agree to certain limits on their freedom of action. 3. What are some potential problems with a confederation? ◦ They have little power because a high percentage of members must agree to decisions made which is hard to obtain. ◦ Membership is usually voluntary & a country can decide to leave at any time.

Strong Regional Govt Strong Regional Govt Strong Regional Govt Strong Regional Govt Confederation Weak Central Govt. Strong Regional Govt. Strong Regional Govt

Federal 1.How does a Federal Government divide power between its central (national) government and its regional (local) governments? ◦ The central government and regional governments SHARE power. 2.What are some benefits to a Federal government? ◦ States or provinces are given considerable self- rule, usually through their own legislatures. ◦ Central government can be powerful, but does not have the ability to dissolve states or choose state leaders

Federal Central Govt. Regional Regional. Regional

European Governments: United Kingdom, Russia, & Germany

Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom ◦ Unitary System: the central government has all the power ◦ Democracy: citizens of the country hold the power (voting) ◦ Parliamentary Democracy: leader is elected through the legislature, not directly by the people

Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom ◦ Parliament is the lawmaking body of the United Kingdom ◦ Bicameral legislature (2 branches) ◦ House of Lords ◦ House of Commons

House of Lords

House of Commons

UK’s Leadership ◦ Prime Minister is the chief executive with the MOST power ◦ Leader of the British Parliament, works with legislative branch ◦ Runs the government ◦ Constitutional Monarch: ◦ The monarch (Queen) is the official head of state (a symbol for the country) ◦ Duties are mostly ceremonial ◦ Very little real power!!!

Queen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister – David Cameron 2013

UK’s Citizen Participation ◦ Citizens have personal freedoms like those in the US ◦ All citizens are treated equally and have the right to worship as they choose ◦ British citizens have right to vote for leaders, freedom of speech, right to a fair trial, the right to own property, and the right to security ◦ Citizens do not directly elect the leaders (only the House of Commons)

Germany

Federal System of Germany Federal System: the power is shared between the central government and the governments of the 16 states Democracy: citizens of the country hold the power (voting) Parliamentary Democracy: leader is elected through the legislature, not directly by the people

Parliamentary System of Germany ◦ Germany’s parliament is composed of two houses: the Bundestag and the Bundesrat (Bicameral) ◦ Germany’s constitution is called the Basic Law ◦ States that Germany is a welfare state: government guarantees people certain benefits when they are unemployed, sick, poor, or disabled

Germany’s Leadership ◦ Chancellor is the chief executive ◦ Runs the government ◦ Elected by the Bundestag (legislature)

Germany’s Chancellor – Angela Merkel 2013

Germany’s President – Joachim Gauck 2013

Germany’s Citizen Participation ◦ Citizens have same basic freedoms like those in the United Kingdom ◦ All citizens are treated equally and have the right to worship as they choose ◦ Have the right to vote, freedom of speech, right to a fair trial, the right to own property, and the right to security ◦ Citizens do not directly elect the leaders (only the Bundestag)

Russia

Federal System of Russian Federation ◦ Federal System: the power is shared between the central government and the governments of the states ◦ Democracy: citizens of the country hold the power (voting) ◦ Presidential Democracy: leader is directly elected by the people

Russian Federal Assembly ◦ Russia’s legislature is called the Federal Assembly and is divided into two parts: ◦ Bicameral (divided into two parts): ◦ Federation Council ◦ State Duma

Russia’s Leadership ◦ President is the chief executive with the MOST power ◦ Elected by the people (presidential democracy) ◦ Can disband the legislature ◦ President also selects a Prime Minister ◦ helps in the day-to-day running of the government ◦ Similar to USA’s vice president

Russia’s President – Vladimir Putin 2013

Russian Prime Minister -- Dimitri Medvedev 2013

Russia’s Citizen Participation ◦ Russia’s constitution guarantees human and civil rights for its citizens ◦ All people are equal ◦ Russians have the right to life and dignity, freedom of speech, and the right to privacy ◦ Citizens directly elect the leader

Government Questions ◦ 1: United Kingdom’s Government ◦ Describe the United Kingdom’s Government. Include the following: ◦ Must include info about System, Citizen Participation, Democracy Type, Leadership, and Citizen Rights from chart. ◦ 2: Russia’s Government ◦ Describe the Russia’s Government. Include the following: ◦ Must include info about System, Citizen Participation, Democracy Type, Leadership, and Citizen Rights from chart. ◦ 3: Germany’s Government ◦ Describe the Germany’s Government. Include the following: ◦ Must include info about System, Citizen Participation, Democracy Type, Leadership, and Citizen Rights from chart. 4: Best Government in Europe ◦ Write a paragraph using the BRACES format about which country (UK, Germany, or Russia) has the best government. Remember to explain WHY!!!!