Modern Europe – Government Vocabulary 2014
1. constitution – a document outlining the duties, powers, rights, and responsibilities of the government
2. head of state – the chief representative of a country to other countries . . . often has ceremonial responsibilities . . . often holds no real decision making power
3. chief executive – the person who is responsible for making decisions and running the government on a day-to-day basis . . . holds real power
4. legislature – the group of elected representatives who have the power to make laws
5. monarch – the king or queen of a country
6. Parliament- the lawmaking body of the United Kingdom
7. House of Lords – the less-powerful part of the United Kingdom’s parliament whose members are elected by members, or are appointed by the monarch and can only make suggestions about laws
8. House of Commons – the powerful part of the United Kingdom’s parliament whose members are elected by the citizens in a general election and control’s the country’s budget
9. Bundestag – the “lower house” but more powerful part of Germany’s parliament whose members are directly elected by the citizens
10. Bundesrat – the “upper house” but less powerful part of Germany’s parliament whose members are selected by the various state governments and who deal with laws that affect the states (such as education and local issues)
11. Basic Law – the name of the constitution of Germany
12. Federal Assembly – name given to the Russian Federation’s legislature
13. Federation Council – that part of the Federal Assembly whose members are appointed by the state governments . . . represent the states interests at the federal, or central government level
14. State Duma – that part of the Federal Assembly whose members are elected directly by the citizens
15. European Union (EU) – a group of 27 European countries united to bring more advantages to members that might not be available to the smaller nations . . . works to improve trade, education, farming, and industry among the members