Comparison of the Systems of Governments of the United Kingdom, Germany, and Russia
I. United Kingdom
A. Type of government - Unitary – Parliamentary Democracy
B. Lawmaking Body – Parliament
1. Made up of – House of Lords and House of Commons (and the monarch)
a. House of Lords
1) Membership – either elected by House of Lords or appointed by the monarch
2) Power – very little, only make suggestions as to how to improve laws
b. House of Commons
1) Membership – citizens chose members by voting in a general election
2) Power – comes from control of the nations budget (money)
2. Prime Minister
a. Is the person who is the leader of the party with the most members in the House of Commons (monarch asks them to serve – but this is just a formality)
b. Is the chief executive
3. Monarch
a. Serves as head of state
b. Has little power, as their role is restricted by the constitution.
C. Personal f reedoms – like those in the USA – citizens are: treated equally; enjoy the right to worship, freedom of speech, fair trial, own property, and right to security.
II. Germany
A. Type of government - Federal, Parliamentary Democracy
B. Lawmaking Body
1. Is a type of p arliament
2. Made up of – the Bundestag and Bundesrat
a. Bundestag
1) Membership – elected by citizens of each state
2) Power – is more powerful than the Bundesrat – deals with issues affecting the entire nation
3) Selects the Chancellor who is chief executive and head of military
4) President
a.) is head of state
b.) is chosen by members of the parliament
b. Bundesrat
1) Represents interests of state governments
2) Membership – selected by each state government, numbers based on each state’s population
3) Power – deals with laws and issues that affect the states, such as education
C. Basic Law
1. Is the name of the constitution
2. Guarantees: freedom of religion and expression, citizens’ right to be treated equally, freedom of the press, and protection of family
3. Makes Germany a welfare state guaranteeing benefits if people are unemployed, poor,
disabled, old, or sick
III. Russia
A. Type of government - Federal, Democracy
B. Governed by a constitution that outlines roles of leaders
1. President
a. is head of state and chief executive
b. is elected by the citizens
2. Prime minister
a. is selected by the president
b. is co-chief executive
C. . Lawmaking Body
1. Is called the Federal Assembly
2. Made up of – the Federation Council and the State Duma
a. Federation Council
1.) Membership – two are appointed by each state
2.) Represent the state governments
3.) Approves president’s choices of people to fill government jobs
b. State Duma
1.) Membership – are elected by the citizens
2.) Controls the budget and makes laws
3.) Approves president’s choice for prime minister
D. Constitution guarantees – human and civil rights for citizens; rights to be treated equally, life, dignity, speech and privacy.