Understanding Civics and Government: Europe STUDY GUIDE KEY

Standard SS6CG4(a) – Describe ways government systems distribute power

1. What term describes a confederation? Partners

2. Which country in Europe has a federal government? Germany

3. What is the main reason that the British Commonwealth is called a confederation? member countries Are voluntary members

4. Who holds all the power in a unitary government? The central government

Standard SS6CG4(b) – Explain how governments determine citizen participation

5. In which types of government do citizens have no voting rights? oligarchy and autocracy

6. An autocracy puts the power of the government in the hands of whom? A single person

7. How do autocratic rulers come to power? through their bloodline

8. What is an oligarchy? a small group of people who govern

SS6CG4(b) – Describe the two predominant forms of democratic governments

9. In what way are the prime minister and the president alike? They are in charge of the military and run the government

10. Why is the president of France more powerful than the prime minister? The prime minister has no real power in the government.

11. Who has the most government power in the parliamentary system? A member of parliament

12. What do both parliamentary and presidential systems have in common? Citizens elect lawmakers and the leader heads the military

13. What are some limitations to being president? The president cannot make laws

SS6CG5(a) – Compare governments used in UK, Germany, and Russia

14. Which representative body of Parliament has the least power? House of Lords

15. To be prime minister, a person must first be elected to which governing body? House of Commons

16. Which part of government is responsible for making the laws for the United Kingdom? Parliament

17. The United Kingdom is to House of Commons as Germany is to Bundestag

18. How are members of the Bundestag selected? Elected by the voters

19. In the German welfare state, who receives guaranteed benefits? Unemployed citizens

20. In the Russian Federation, which office do the people elect? President

21. Who is the Russian head of state? President

22. How is the Russian prime minister selected? by appointment of the president with Duma approval

23. The rights of the citizens in Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom are (similar/dissimilar)… They are very similar

SS6CG5(b) – Describe the purpose of the European Union and member nations

24. Why was the European Union created? Make Europe more competitive in world markets

25. What is the currency for MOST EU countries? Euro

26. What is a correct comparison between the EU and United States? The EU has more people and a higher total Gross Domestic Product than the United States.

27. Which problem is handled by individual EU member countries instead of the EU government? Training the country’s army