social science unit 3

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social science unit 3The Constitution:Government:Is a democratic state, based on national sovereignty.Parliamentary monarchy. The King is the Head of State.He can´t pass laws.He is also symbolically Commander-in-Chief of the Spanish Armed Forces.Crown in hereditary.Organisation:17 Autonomous Communities and 2 Autonomous Cities.Statutes of Autonomy:define their:name.boundaries.symbols.language.Autonomous Communities are divided into:provinces.municipalities.Symbols:symbols:flag.coat of arms.national anthem.Castilian Spanish is the official language, but other languages are granted official in their Autonomous Communities.Citizens´rights and responsabilities:Rights:equality.freedom of speech.peaceful protests.healthcare and education.legal protection.freedom to work and travel.adequate housing.Responsabilities:pay taxes.respect the law.be tolerant towards other people´s:religion.culture.gender.race.take care of the enviroment.respect public services.Elections:Spanish citizens over 18 year can vote.Are held every four years, but they can be held earlier.Before the elections take place, political parties campaign and explain their ideas.There are more than 80 registered political parties.People vote by secret ballot.Voters take a ballot paper, put a mark next to the partie they want to vote and put the paper in an envelope so no one can see it until the votes are counted.
The State:Legislative power:Parliament in Spain, whose funcion is to represent all Spanish citizens, is divided into 2 legislative chambers:Congress of Deputies:lower chamber.members of this chamber are called deputies.approve or veto laws deputies belong to different political parties.the number of deputies depends on the number of votes they receive in the general elections.make joint decisions on budgets.control the Executive power.Senate:upper chamber.members of this chamber are called senators.make sure the Autonomous communities follow the Constitution.can pass laws but they can´t veto them.make joint decisions on budgets.control the Executive power.Executive power:the party that gets more votes on the elections form the Government.the Prime Minister is selected by members of the Congress.ministers propose ideas that later are voted on in Parliament.12 ministers in Spain:Health, Social Services and Equality.Education, Culture and Sport.Employment and Social Security.Economic Affairs and Competitiveness.Treasury and Public Administrations.Agriculture, Food and Enviromental Affairs.Defence.Interior.Justice.Public Works.Industry, Energy and Tourism.Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.Judicial power:Refers to courts and tribunals.Are composed of judges and magistrates.The highest judicial bodies are:Supreme Court:accept or reject sentences passed in lower courts.can start legal proceedingsagainst ministers, senators and the Prime Minister.Constitutional Court.has the power to decide whether laws are in accordance with the Constitution.Can also reject decisions by the Supreme Court if human rights have been violated.