European Government Unit Master Notes Sheet

European Government Unit Master Notes Sheet Name______

Describe how each Governmental System Distributes Power: Who makes decisions? Who carries them out? Who makes laws? Who has the power? Unitary Government Confederation Government Federal System - A government system in which - A system made up of a - The federal system has 2 levels of gov’t: there is one level of voluntary association of 1) National gov’t (federal gov’t) government (for the whole independent states. 2) State and local gov’t country) that takes care of all government functions. - They are controlled by a very - Power is shared between the 2 levels. The weak central government. constitution outlines the powers of each level. - Central gov’t has all the power. - Power is held by independent - Federal gov’t: Makes laws, taxes, raise Local gov’t just carries out the states. armies, make treaties with other countries, laws that are made by the - Example of confederation: and declares war with other countries. National Government. European Union - State gov’t: Education, emergency services, - Examples: Poland, UK, France - many have failed in the past they also make laws and collect taxes. and Spain

Explain the role of the citizen in each of the following types of Governments: Autocratic (Autocracy) Oligarchic (Oligarchy) Democratic (Democracy) Autocracy = One person rules. A gov’t in which a few powerful Type of government that is ruled by the Opposite of democracy. individuals rule. These few people. Power is with the people. people make all the laws and - All political power held by decisions. 2 types of democracy: one person. - Direct democracy-Citizens participate and - The citizens have no input - This form of gov’t is rare today. make the laws themselves. (Example-small into decisions or laws. town meetings, where each person votes on all - South Africa was an example laws and rules) - Examples: rule by until 1994. - Indirect democracy-Elected King/Queen , dictatorship, - The citizens have no input representatives make the laws for the citizens. absolute monarchy, Germany into decisions or laws. (Example: US Congress, British Parliament) under Hitler, Russia under Stalin, etc. - Very rare today Citizens have a great deal of input into government and participate through - As a result, there are not very voting. many of this type of gov’t in the world today.

Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments: Parliamentary Presidential - Led by the Prime Minister - President is the leader of the government - He is selected by the majority group in - President is elected by the people the parliament - President has veto power - The parliament is elected directly by the - Legislative branch can override that veto people - President selects his cabinet and can remove them as - Parliament can remove the Prime well Minister and replace him with someone - President has checks on his power through a system of else checks and balances

Ex. Of this system include: U.S., Mexico, Indonesia, South Korea and Philippines European Government Unit Master Notes Sheet (Page 2) Name______

Compare the following Countries’ systems of governing addressing the forms of leadership and the role of the citizen in terms of voting and personal freedoms and rights United Kingdom Germany Russia Legislature/Lawmaking body (name) Parliament Parliament Federal Assembly

Houses of the legislature 2 2 2 (number and names) House of Commons Bundestag Federal Council

House of Lords Bundestrat State Duma

How are the members of the different houses chosen? House of Commons is Bundestag is elected by the Federal Council members elected. citizens of the German appointed by states (2 per states. state) State Duma elected by the House of Lords is selected Bundestrat selected from people. by Prime Minister working the states. with the Monarch. Head of Government Prime Minister Chancellor President

Selected from the majority Selected from the majority Elected by people party of House of Commons party of Bundestag Head of State Queen President President (Selected by states) (assisted by Prime Minister) President selects the Prime Minister Citizen’s Freedoms freedom of religion, speech freedom of religion, speech Human and civil rights All people are equal in the Right to vote, own property Right to vote, own property eyes of the law. right to life and dignity, freedom of Right to a trial by jury Public aid offered to those speech, and the right to who need it privacy.

Describe the purpose of the European Union and the relationship between member nations. (What is it? Why was it needed? What problems did it solve? What actions has it taken? Why?) The E.U. was originally started to help remove trade barriers. It is a union of independent nations that join to better life in Europe through cooperation among its members. Not only do the nations remove tariffs and try to better trade, but they also work to better the environment and to solve disputes among member nations. They have made it easier to travel and work in the member nations as well. They developed a common currency (Euro) to make trading fast and easy as well.