European Government

What is government?

• A system by which a group of people is organized

• A type of business

• A form of entertainment

• A kind of sport

What are some things you expect of your government?

• Roads, laws, raise an army, print money, emergency services, schools

• Organize parties, create movies, build amusement parks

• Sell products, provide discounts, offer free meals

• Host concerts, design fashion, write novels

What does government expect of citizens?

• Pay your taxes, obey the laws, serve in military, serve on jury

• Write books, paint pictures, sing songs

• Travel the world, explore space, climb mountains

• Cook meals, sew clothes, build furniture

What is the legislative branch responsible for?

• Enforcing the laws

• Writing the laws for a state/county/country

• Interpreting the laws

• Managing the military

What is a bicameral legislature?

• A legislative branch with one house

• A legislative branch with two houses

• A legislative branch with three houses

• A legislative branch with no houses

What is a unicameral legislature?

• A legislative branch with one house

• A legislative branch with two houses

• A legislative branch with three houses

• A legislative branch with no houses

What is the executive branch responsible for?

• Makes the laws

• Carries out or enforces the laws made by the legislative branch

• Interprets the laws

• Settles disputes between citizens

What is the judicial branch responsible for?

• Creates new laws

• Enforces the laws

• Settles disputes between citizens or disputes about the laws

• Manages the economy

What is autocracy?

• Power is held by a single person; citizens have few rights

• Power is shared among many people; citizens have many rights

• Power is held by a group of people; citizens have no rights

• Power is held by elected representatives; citizens have some rights

Give an example of autocracy.

• United States

• Germany under Adolf Hitler

• Canada

• United Kingdom