World Governments

Great Britain aka The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland aka United kingdom, UK, Britain Government: Democracy – Constitutional Monarchy - Queen Elizabeth II – figurehead – no real power

Constitution : “unwritten” – no formal document – made up of statutes (written laws) and unwritten customs & practices Parliament : - Unitary – executive & legislative powers in one central agency

- Bicameral – 2 houses : House of Lords – limited powers - judicial -no longer hereditary (was undemocratic!) House of Commons – popular elections Prime Minister – leader of majority party - - David Cameron - 5/10 646 seats * Head of government * Selects cabinet members (ministers) to head executive departments

Russian Federation 46 provinces 21 republics 9 territories 4 autonomous districts 1 autonomous province 2 federal cities – Moscow, St. Petersburg *** federal system – different levels of government *** All have equal representation in Federation Council – but different levels of autonomy (independence)

Russian Government Representative democracy (theoretically) Constitution – 1993 President – head of state – Vladimir Putin Prime Minister / Premier– head of government Dmitry Medvedev Premier appointed by President …hmmmm…

of president Legislature : - Bicameral Federal assembly – - Federation Council – appointed by Federation officials - State Duma – popular election * multi-party – Communist party one of several Judiciary : - all judges for all courts appointed for life by Federation Council on recommendation of president 168 members 450 members

People’s Republic of China Aka China Government : Communist State run by Communist Party of China (CPC) - guaranteed power by Constitution – top party members hold highest gov’t & military positions - control elections

Government Structure National People’s Congress – legislative body - membership largely determined by Communist Party - elects President for 5 year term -”single candidate” elections - Hu Jintao – President since 2003 also: - General Secretary Communist Party of China - Chairman of the Central Military Commission

- main Executive body – appointed by National People’s Congress State Council - main Executive body – appointed by National People’s Congress - chaired by the Premier – chosen by CPC - includes heads of each governmental department & agency Wen Jiabao about 50 members

Judicial System Nationwide system of “people’s courts” Supervised by Supreme People’s Court - judges appointed by National People’s Congress