European Government SystemsUnited KingdomGermanyRussia

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•Parliamentary

▫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

1. Citizens participate fully in a democracy.

2. Citizens participate fully in an autocracy.

3. The central government controls all power in a unitary system.

4. Federal systems divide power between a central government and smaller units.

Chief of State vs. Head of Government

•Chief of State▫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

British LegislatureVoters - Public

Parliament

House of LordsHouse of Commons

Prime Minister

Elects

Leader of Majority

Appointed

Let’s Review . . . United KingdomChief of State Head of

Government

Government Voting

MonarchQueen Elizabeth II

Prime Minister

Monarchy - Hereditary

Prime Minister - Leader of the majority party - Not directly elected

House of Commons - Members elected - 5 yr. terms

House of Lords - Appointed to position - No elections

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Germany• Federal Republic

▫ 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 LegislatureFederal Convention

Voters – Public State Governments

President Bundestag(Federal Assembly)

Bundesrat(Federal Council)

ParliamentChancellor

Elects

Elect Appoint Members

Elects

Let’s Review . . . Germany Chief of State

Head of Government

Government Voting

President Chancellor President - 5 yr. term - Elected by a Federal Convention (All members of Federal Assembly and equal number of representatives from the state parliaments vote)

Chancellor - 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

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Russia• Federal

▫ 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

Russian LegislatureVoters - Public

President

Elects

Appoints with

approval of the Duma

State Duma

Federation Council

Federal Assembly

Voters - Public

Elects

Prime Minister

Let’s Review . . . RussiaChief of State

Head of Government

Government Voting

President Prime Minister

(Premier)

President - 4 yr. term - Elected by popular vote - No Vice President

Premier - 4 yr. term - Elected by an absolute majority in the Federal Assembly

Federation Assembly - Federation Council - Appointed – 4 yr. terms

- State Duma - Popular Vote – 4 yr. term

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