European Government Systems United Kingdom Germany Russia

Review of Government Types Distribution of Power Unitary Central government has all the power Confederation Loose Alliance Political units control their own laws Central government makes decision only on issues that affect the entire group Federal Power divided between central government and smaller political units

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 vs. Presidential Executive power is vested in a cabinet Cabinet is composed of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature Ie. United Kingdom, Germany, Canada & Australia Presidential President is constitutionally independent of the legislature Ie. USA, Mexico, Brazil

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

Chief of State vs. Head of Government 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

Leader of Majority Appointed 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 State Head of Government Government Voting Monarch Queen Elizabeth II Prime Minister Monarchy - Hereditary - 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 Breakdown of Powers Voters – at the age of 18 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) Bundesrat (Federal Council) Parliament Chancellor Elects Elect Appoint Members

Let’s Review . . . Germany Chief of State Head of Government Voting President Chancellor - 5 yr. term - Elected by a Federal Convention (All members of Federal Assembly and equal number of representatives from the state parliaments vote) - 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 Voters Legislature – much weaker than the President Power is shared between the federal and local governments Federal government influences both individuals and regional units Voters 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. Prime Minister appointed by the President. Legislature – much weaker than the President Legislature consists of 2 houses Federal Council and the State Duma

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

Let’s Review . . . Russia Chief of State Head of Government Government Voting President Prime Minister (Premier) - 4 yr. term - Elected by popular vote - No Vice President Premier - 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