Comparing European Governments: United Kingdom, Germany, & Russia

Standard SS6CG5 Explain the structure of modern European governments. a. Compare the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (United Kingdom), the federal system of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany), and the federation of the Russian Federation (Russia), distinguishing the form of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms

Vocab. & Stds. to review 1st… Vocab. & Stds. to review 1st… *Hint- they are in the front of this notebook!* SS6CG1 & 4 The student will compare and contrast various forms of government. a. Describe the ways government systems distribute power: unitary, confederation, and federal. b. Explain how governments determine citizen participation: autocratic, oligarchic, and democratic. c. Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: parliamentary and presidential. SS6E1 The student will analyze different economic systems. a. Compare how traditional, command, and market, economies answer the 3 economic questions of 1-what to produce, 2-how to produce, and 3-for whom to produce. b. Explain how most countries have a mixed economy located on a continuum between pure market and pure command.

The Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary Democracy… Its main roles are: Examining and challenging the work of the government Debating and passing all laws (legislation) Enabling the government to raise taxes (controls taxes)

Parliament’s Two House System The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses (“bicameral”): 1. House of Commons (“HOC”) 2. House of Lords (“HOL”)

The House of Commons Citizens elect members of the House of Commons The political party with the most votes chooses the Prime Minister. The House of Commons is responsible for making laws for the country.

The House of Lords plays an important part in revising legislation and keeping a check on government The House of Lords has little power. Most members of the House of Lords are nobles who have inherited their titles.

Leadership 1. Prime Minister 2. Head of State (King or Queen) This role is the real head of government. He or she is the leader of the Parliament and is the chief executive of the country. 2. Head of State (King or Queen) This role is only symbolic; the Head of State holds very little political power. Although, the Queen is an important symbol of national unity.

Media to watch & respond to… Constitutional Monarch--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVv0vBGk yd4 UK's parliament & gov. explained--> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmGCwi QvhH0 Obertopia video on parliamentary democracy vs. Presidential democracy (like the USA has): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmlOOL 2XuIs

After watching the videos above, complete these fill-in-the blank questions & Cut this out and glue it into your notebook right after your PowerPoint notes. The Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom (SS6CG5)   1. Parliament is the lawmaking body of the U.K. and it composed of the __________________, ________________________, and the _________________________. The monarch is considered part of _________________________ too. 2. Today, Lords are elected by the House or appointed to office by the ________________. The House of Lords has ____________ power but can make suggestions of ways to improve a bill that is on its way to becoming a law. 3. The ________________ of the U.K. elect the members of the House of Commons in a general election. 4. The power in the House of Commons comes from its control of the _________________, which gives it the _________________ power in the government. 5. After the election, the leader of the political party with most members in the House of Commons is asked by the monarch to become ____________________________, which is the head of the government, or chief executive, and the government on a day-to-day basis. 6. The ______________________ is the official head of state and a symbol of the country. Their duties are mostly ceremonial and restricted by the constitution of the United Kingdom. 7. Citizens of the U.K. have personal freedoms like those in the ___________________________, such as freedom of speech, the right to a fair trial, the right to own property, and the right to security.

The Federal System of the Federal Republic of Germany

Germany’s Democracy: Like the United States, Germany is a “federal republic” a national government and state governments share powers. Technically, it’s government is a Federal Parliamentary Representative Democratic Republic…whew! (You don’t have to write this one down!)

Leadership 1. Chancellor: This is the real head of government, similar to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He or she is chosen by Parliament, and is the chief executive of the country. 2. President: Chosen by a federal convention. Germany’s president has very little power, and mainly carries out ceremonial duties.

Don’t copy this information. Just read it. Former President Bush welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the Oval Office She is the 1st woman and the first East German to hold this position

Parliament’s Two Houses (bicameral) 1. Bundesrat (Upper House) Mainly an advisory council, but must approve laws and amendments Holds little political power Representatives are not elected directly by the people 2. Bundestag (Lower House) The citizens vote for & elect members to this House. Holds most of Germany’s political power. Members elect the Chancellor.

Russian Federation

Russia’s Democracy After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia became a democracy. The citizens elect the nation’s leaders. Like the United States, Russia is a “federal republic” the power is divided between national and state governments with a president who leads the nation

The Federal Assembly This is the Parliament of the Russian Federation. It consists of two chambers (bicameral): 1. The Federation Council (Upper House) Selected by government officials Power is limited 2. The State Duma (Lower House) Chosen by the people Main legislative branch

Leadership The 1993 constitution created a dual executive branch that consists of a Prime Minister and a President, but the president is the dominant figure. President Head of state- Commander-in-Chief Chosen by the people Leader of country Prime Minister Chosen by President- approved by Duma