Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who is the head of government in Germany?
Who is the head of government in Germany?
The President of Germany holds significant executive powers.
The President of Germany holds significant executive powers.
False (B)
What is the role of the President of Germany?
What is the role of the President of Germany?
Ceremonial role with substantial reserve powers
The Chancellor is the head of government, while the ________ is the head of state.
The Chancellor is the head of government, while the ________ is the head of state.
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Match the following roles with their descriptions in the German government:
Match the following roles with their descriptions in the German government:
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What is a significant feature of the organization of courts mentioned?
What is a significant feature of the organization of courts mentioned?
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Germany has a weak Constitutional Court.
Germany has a weak Constitutional Court.
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What type of review is almost all state actions subject to?
What type of review is almost all state actions subject to?
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Germany has a powerful ______ Court.
Germany has a powerful ______ Court.
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Match the following terms with their descriptions:
Match the following terms with their descriptions:
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What does the Basic Law allow individuals to do if their rights have been violated by the state?
What does the Basic Law allow individuals to do if their rights have been violated by the state?
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Individuals can file a complaint without exhausting all stages of appeal in the regular court system.
Individuals can file a complaint without exhausting all stages of appeal in the regular court system.
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What type of rights can individuals complain about under the Basic Law?
What type of rights can individuals complain about under the Basic Law?
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Individuals may file a complaint to the court when their constitutional rights have been violated by the _____ .
Individuals may file a complaint to the court when their constitutional rights have been violated by the _____ .
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What is the primary duty of state authority concerning human dignity?
What is the primary duty of state authority concerning human dignity?
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Human dignity is considered inviolable according to the principles stated.
Human dignity is considered inviolable according to the principles stated.
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What shall be the duty of all state authority regarding human dignity?
What shall be the duty of all state authority regarding human dignity?
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According to Article 9, there is a guarantee of __________.
According to Article 9, there is a guarantee of __________.
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What type of state is the Federal Republic of Germany defined as?
What type of state is the Federal Republic of Germany defined as?
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All state authority in Germany is derived from the government.
All state authority in Germany is derived from the government.
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In which type of system does the Federal Republic of Germany operate?
In which type of system does the Federal Republic of Germany operate?
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The Federal Republic of Germany is defined as a ________ and social federal state.
The Federal Republic of Germany is defined as a ________ and social federal state.
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Which of the following is a way that the people exercise their power?
Which of the following is a way that the people exercise their power?
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The exercise of power is limited to legislative bodies only.
The exercise of power is limited to legislative bodies only.
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Name one method by which people can exercise their power in government.
Name one method by which people can exercise their power in government.
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The people may express their preferences through elections and other ________.
The people may express their preferences through elections and other ________.
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Match the following governmental functions with their description:
Match the following governmental functions with their description:
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Study Notes
Germany
- Germany was taken over by the Nazi dictatorship in the 1930s
- This period, along with the subsequent expansionism policy, led to Germany's defeat in World War II
- After the war, Germany was partitioned/ divided by the victorious Allied forces.
- The western part was occupied by the US, Britain, and France, becoming West Germany (capital: Bonn).
- The eastern part was occupied by the Soviet Union, becoming East Germany (capital: East Berlin).
- West Germany became a major European industrial power and joined the EEC
- East Germany remained under Soviet domination until the collapse of communism in Eastern Europe.
- East and West Germany reunited on October 3, 1990.
The Federal Republic of Germany
- A federal parliamentary republic based on representative democracy
- The Chancellor is the head of government, and the President of Germany is the ceremonial head of state.
- The President has a ceremonial role but substantial reserved powers
- Executive power is vested in the Federal Cabinet
- Federal legislative power is vested in the Bundestag and the Bundesrat
- Major political parties include the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Christian Social Union (CSU), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Left Alliance (Greens)
Federal Legislature
- Power is divided between the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.
- The Bundestag is directly elected by the German people.
- The Bundesrat represents the regional states
- The Bundestag is more powerful, and needs only the Bundesrat's consent for certain legislation.
Bundestag
- Established in 1949
- More powerful than the Bundesrat
- Directly elected by the German people (4-year terms)
- Uses personalized proportional representation
Elections (Article 38)
- Bundestag members are elected through general, direct, free, equal, and secret elections.
- Representatives are not bound by orders/instructions and only answerable to their conscience.
- Citizens 18 and older can vote, and those of age to be elected can run
- Regulations are determined by federal law.
The Executive Branch
- Head of State: President of Germany
- The President's role is ceremonial
- Actions/public appearances represent the state; all laws/decrees must be signed by them before taking effect.
- Presidents can veto laws against the constitution
- Head of Government: Federal Chancellor
- Elected by the Bundestag
- Cannot be removed from office until a successor is agreed upon via constructive vote of no confidence.
Constructive Vote of No Confidence
- A parliament can remove a head of government only if a positive majority for a successor is present.
- To remove a Chancellor, a successor must be nominated and approved.
Judicial Branch
- Totally independent
- Organization of courts is traditionally strong
- Subject to judicial review (almost all state actions)
- Powerful Constitutional Court allows citizens to challenge actions by the state that violate their constitutional rights.
- Handles disputes between state institutions and can outlaw political parties whose goals violate the principles of the Constitution
Ordinary Courts
- Deal with criminal & most civil cases
- Highest Ordinary Court is the Federal Court of Justice of Germany
Specialized Courts
- Consider cases on administrative, labour, social, fiscal, and patent law
Constitutional Courts
- Focus on judicial review and constitutional interpretation
- Highest Constitutional Court is the Federal Constitutional Court.
Germany Constitution
- Article 1: Human dignity
- Human rights are inviolable
- States are obliged to protect human dignity
- Article 9: Freedom of association
- All Germans have the right to form/join corporations/associations
- Associations cannot violate the law/Constitution (must not work against international understanding)
- Article 20: Basic institutional principles
- Germany is a democratic and social federation state
- Governmental powers come from the people
- Legislature follows the Constitution and all government actions must obey the laws and principles
- Citizens have the right to resist actions seeking to abolish the constitution (if no other remedy is available)
Foreign Relations
- Member of NATO, OECD, G8, G20, World Bank, IMF, European Union
- Large contributor to the budgets of the European Union (27%) and the United Nations (8%)
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Description
Test your knowledge on the roles and responsibilities within the German government. This quiz covers key features such as the positions of the Chancellor and the President, the Constitutional Court, and the rights of individuals under the Basic Law. Perfect for anyone looking to understand the German political system better.
