Comparing European Governments:

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Comparing European Governments

• United Kingdom, European Union Germany, Russia

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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

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The Parliamentary System of the United Kingdom
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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)

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Parliaments Two House System

• The business of Parliament takes place in two
  Houses
• 1. House of Commons
• 2. House of Lords

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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.

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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.

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Leadership

• 1. Prime Minister
• 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.

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The Federal System of the Federal Republic of
Germany
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Germanys Democracy

• Like the United States, Germany is a federal
  republic
• a national government and state governments share
  powers.
• Technically, its government is a Federal
  Parliamentary Representative Democratic
  Republicwhew! (You dont have to write this one
  down!)

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Leadership/ Germany

• 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. Germanys
  president has very little power, and mainly
  carries out ceremonial duties.

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Dont 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

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Parliaments Two Houses

• 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 Germanys political power.
• Members elect the Chancellor.

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Russian Federation
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Russias Democracy

• After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia became
  a democracy.
• The citizens elect the nations 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

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The Federal Assembly Russia

• This is the Parliament of the Russian Federation.
• It consists of two chambers
• 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

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Leadership Russia

• 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

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