1. European Government Systems
United Kingdom
Germany
Russia

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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