3. The United Kingdom is a Parliamentary Democracy… Parliament is an essential part of UK politics. Its main roles are: Examining and challenging the work of the government Debating and passing all laws (legislation) Enabling the government to raise taxes
4. Parliament’s Two House System The business of Parliament takes place in two Houses: 1. House of Commons 2. House of Lords
5. It is the role of the citizens in the UK to vote & elect the members of the House of Commons. The political party in the House of Commons with the most votes chooses the Prime Minister. The House of Commons is responsible for making laws for the country. The House of Commons
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7. It plays an important part in revising legislation and keeping a check on government by scrutinizing its activities.
9. Most members of the House of Lords are nobles who have inherited their titles. The House of Lords
10. 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. Leadership
29. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia became a democracy. The role of the citizens is to freely elect the nation’s 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 Russia’s Democracy
30. The 1993 constitution created a dual executive branch that consists of a Prime Minister and a President, but the president is the dominant figure. The Russian president has more power than an American president . He or she can issue orders that become laws even if they are not passed by the legislature! Leadership
31. This is the Parliament of the Russian Federation. It consists of two chambers: 1. The Federation Council 2. The State Duma The Federal Assembly
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33. Russians have to learn how to function in a democracy instead of under communism where most decisions were made for them by the government.
34. Government officials need to learn that laws apply to them just like they apply to all of the people.
35. In the past, the Russian government punished those individuals who criticized their decisions. Now, officials have to learn to accept disagreements over government policies.What this all means for the people of Russia…