Politics in a Democracy

196 of the 300 general questions belong to the topic Politics in a Democracy. All of them are listed here with the correct answer; the explanation is on each question's page.

1. In Germany, people are allowed to say something openly against the government because ...freedom of opinion applies here.
3. Germany is a constitutional state. What does this mean?All residents and the state must abide by the law.
4. Which right is one of the fundamental rights in Germany?Freedom of opinion
5. Elections in Germany are free. What does that mean?The voter may not be influenced or forced to vote in a certain way and may not be disadvantaged by the election.
6. What is the German constitution called?Basic Law
7. Which right is one of the fundamental rights guaranteed by the German constitution? The right to ...Freedom of belief and conscience
8. What is not written in the Basic Law of Germany?Everyone should have the same amount of money.
9. Which fundamental right in Germany applies only to foreigners? The fundamental right to ...Asylum
10. What is compatible with the German constitution?the fine
11. What is the constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany called?Basic Law
12. A party in the German Bundestag wants to abolish freedom of the press. Is that possible?No, because freedom of the press is a fundamental right. It cannot be abolished.
13. In parliament, the term "opposition" stands for...all MPs who do not belong to the governing party/parties.
14. Freedom of opinion in Germany means that I ...can express my opinion in letters to the editor.
15. What does the German constitution prohibit?Forced labour
16. When is freedom of opinion restricted in Germany?in the public dissemination of false allegations about individuals
17. The German laws prohibit ...Unequal treatment of citizens by the state.
18. Which fundamental right is guaranteed in Article 1 of the Basic Law of the Federal Republic of Germany?the inviolability of human dignity
19. What is meant by the right of "freedom of movement" in Germany?You can choose your own place of residence.
21. What is the coat of arms of the Federal Republic of Germany?
22. What form of government does Germany have?Republic
23. In Germany, most people in employment are ...employed by a company or public authority.
24. How many federal states does the Federal Republic of Germany have?16
25. What is not a federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany?Alsace-Lorraine
26. Germany is ...a democratic and social federal state.
27. Germany is ...a federal state.
28. Who elects the members of the Bundestag in Germany?the electorate
29. Which animal is the heraldic animal of the Federal Republic of Germany?Eagle
30. What is not a feature of our democracy?press censorship
61. What does "popular sovereignty" mean?The power of the state emanates from the people.
62. When the parliament of a German federal state is elected, it is called ...State parliament election.
63. What is not part of the executive in Germany?the courts
64. Today, the Federal Republic of Germany is divided into ...federal, state and local authorities.
65. It is not one of the tasks of the German Bundestag to ...to form the Federal Cabinet.
67. What is primarily a task of the federal states in Germany?School policy
68. Why does the state control the school system in Germany?because it is its task according to the Basic Law
69. The Federal Republic of Germany has a three-tier administrative structure. What is the name of the lowest political level?Municipalities
70. The German Federal President Gustav Heinemann gives Helmut Schmidt the certificate of appointment as German Federal Chancellor in 1974. What are the duties of the German Federal President?
71. Where does the German Chancellor spend the most time? He/she is most often ...in Berlin, because the Federal Chancellery and the Bundestag are located there.
72. What is the name of the current Chancellor of Germany?Friedrich Merz
73. The two largest parliamentary groups in the German Bundestag are currently ...CDU/CSU and AfD.
74. What is the name of the parliament for the whole of Germany?Bundestag
75. What is the name of Germany's current head of state?Frank-Walter Steinmeier
76. What does the abbreviation CDU mean in Germany?Christian Democratic Union
77. What is the Bundeswehr?the German army
78. What does the abbreviation SPD mean?Social Democratic Party of Germany
79. What does the abbreviation FDP mean in Germany?Free Democratic Party
80. Which court in Germany has jurisdiction to interpret the Basic Law?Federal Constitutional Court
81. Who elects the Federal Chancellor in Germany?the Bundestag
82. Who heads the German Federal Cabinet?the Federal Chancellor
83. Who elects the German Chancellor?the Bundestag
84. What is the main task of the German Federal President? He / She ...represents the country.
85. Who makes up the German Bundesrat?the government representatives of the federal states
86. Who elects the Federal President in Germany?the Federal Assembly
87. Who is the head of state of the Federal Republic of Germany?the Federal President
88. The parliamentary opposition in the German Bundestag ...scrutinises the government.
90. The German federal states participate in federal legislation through ...the Bundesrat.
91. In Germany, a change of government in a federal state can have an impact on federal politics. Governing becomes ...more difficult if it changes the majority in the Bundesrat.
92. What does the abbreviation CSU mean in Germany?Christian Social Union
93. The more "second votes" a party gets in a federal election, the ...more seats the party gets in parliament.
94. From what age can you vote in elections to the German Bundestag in Germany?18
95. What applies to most children in Germany?Compulsory school attendance
97. What do you pay automatically in Germany if you are permanently employed?Social security
98. When members of the German Bundestag change their parliamentary group, ...the government may lose its majority.
101. Trade unions are organisations representing the interests of ...employees.
103. What is called a "traffic light coalition" in Germany? The co-operation ...of SPD, FDP and Bündnis 90/Die Grünen in a government
105. What is one of the tasks of poll workers in Germany?They count the votes after the end of the election.
106. In Germany, voluntary election assistants help with the elections. What is one of the tasks of poll workers?They count the votes at the end of the election.
107. For how many years is the Bundestag elected in Germany?4 years
108. In a Bundestag election in Germany, anyone may vote who ...is a citizen of the Federal Republic of Germany and is at least 18 years old.
109. How often are there usually federal elections in Germany?every four years
110. For how many years is the Bundestag elected in Germany?4 years
111. Which act relating to the state of Israel is prohibited in Germany?publicly calling for the destruction of Israel
112. The elections in Germany are ...secret.
113. Elections in Germany are won by the party that ...gets the most votes.
114. Taking part in democratic elections in Germany is ...a right.
115. What does "active right to vote" mean in Germany?You can vote.
116. If you are allowed to vote in a federal election in Germany, does that mean ...active right to vote.
117. What is the minimum percentage of second votes that parties must receive in order to be elected to the German Bundestag?5 %
119. Elections in Germany are free. What does that mean?Every person can decide without coercion whether they want to vote and who they want to vote for.
120. The electoral system in Germany is a ...majority and proportional representation.
32. What is not state authority in Germany?Press
34. What is Germany not?a monarchy
36. Which measure creates social security in Germany?health insurance
37. What are the heads of government of most federal states in Germany called?Minister-President
38. The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social ...Federal state.
39. What does each German state have?its own government
40. With which words does the German national anthem begin?Unity and justice and freedom ...
41. Why is there more than one party in a democracy?because it represents the different opinions of citizens
42. Who decides on a new law in Germany?the parliament
43. When can a party be banned in Germany?if it fights against the constitution
44. Who cannot be directly elected as a citizen in Germany?the Federal President
45. Which insurance does long-term care insurance belong to?Social insurance
46. The German state has many tasks. Which task is one of them?It builds roads and schools.
47. The German state has many tasks. Which task is not one of them?It pays for holidays for all citizens.
48. Which body is not one of Germany's constitutional bodies?the Citizens' Assembly
49. Who determines school policy in Germany?the federal states
51. It is not part of a democratic constitutional state that ...people are arrested by a private police force without reason.
52. What does "popular sovereignty" mean? All state power emanates from the ...the people.
54. What is not a state authority in Germany?Directive
55. What does this picture show?
56. Which office is part of the local government in Germany?Public order office
57. Who is usually elected President of the German Bundestag?a member of parliament from the largest parliamentary group
58. Who appoints the ministers of the Federal Government in Germany?the Federal President
60. In Germany, the Bundestag and the Bundesrat belong to the ...Legislative.
243. Maik and Sybille want to hold a demonstration on the street with friends in their German neighbourhood. What do they have to do beforehand?You have to register the demonstration.
245. Who is not allowed to live together as a couple in Germany?Anne (13 years old) and Tim (25 years old)
246. At what age is one of legal age in Germany?18
252. In Germany ...you may only be married to one partner at a time.
253. Where do you have to register when you move in Germany?at the residents' registration office
254. In Germany, married couples are allowed to divorce. They usually have to observe the "year of separation". What does that mean?The spouses live their separate lives for at least one year. After that, divorce is possible
256. A married couple would like to open a restaurant in Germany. What do they absolutely need?a restaurant licence from the competent authority
262. What does the principle of equal treatment mean in Germany?No-one may be discriminated against because of a disability, for example.
266. When does the legal night's rest begin in Germany?at 10 pm
214. What are the colours of the German flag?black-red-gold
216. Which symbol can be seen in the plenary chamber of the German Bundestag?
121. A party wants to enter the German Bundestag. However, it must have a minimum share of votes. This means ...5 % hurdle.
122. Which principle governs elections in Germany? Elections in Germany are ...free, equal, secret.
123. What is the "5 % hurdle" in Germany?Minimum percentage of votes to get into parliament
124. The Bundestag election in Germany is the election ...the parliament for Germany.
125. In a democracy, one function of regular elections is to ...to allow a change of government according to the will of the majority of voters.
126. What do citizens entitled to vote in Germany receive before an election?a polling card from the municipality
127. Why is there a 5% threshold in the electoral law of the Federal Republic of Germany? It exists because ...many small parties make it difficult to form a government.
128. Members of parliament who are elected by the citizens are called ...Members of Parliament.
129. In Germany, the people elect ...the Bundestag.
130. Which ballot paper would be valid in a general election?
131. In Germany, a mayor is ...the head of a municipality.
132. Many people in Germany do voluntary work in their free time. What does that mean?They work voluntarily and unpaid in clubs and associations.
133. What is allowed in federal and state elections in Germany?You can vote by post.
134. They want to abolish the bus line that you always take to work. What can you do to preserve the bus route?I can take part in a citizens' initiative to preserve the bus route or set up an initiative myself.
135. Who do the trade unions represent in Germany?Employees
136. You go to the labour court in Germany for ...unjustified dismissal by your boss.
137. Which court in Germany is responsible for labour disputes?the labour court
138. What can I do in Germany if my employer has unfairly dismissed me?file an action for unfair dismissal
139. When does a trial take place in court in Germany? When someone ...has committed a criminal offence and is charged with it.
140. What does a lay judge do in Germany? He / she ...decides with judges on guilt and punishment.
141. Who advises people in Germany on legal issues and represents them in court?a lawyer
142. What is the main task of a judge in Germany? A judge ...works in a court and makes judgements.
143. A judge in Germany belongs to the ...Judiciary.
144. In Germany, a judge belongs to the ...judicial power.
145. In Germany, state power is divided. For which state authority does a judge work? For the ...Judiciary.
146. What do you call a procedure before a court in Germany?Process
147. What is the job of a judge in Germany?To dispense justice
148. What is one task of the police in Germany?to monitor compliance with the law
149. What is an example of anti-Semitic behaviour?denying the Holocaust
150. A lay judge in Germany is ...a lay judge.
274. You deliberately opened a letter addressed to another person in Germany. What did you disregard?the secrecy of correspondence
275. What is required for a divorce in Germany?the assistance of a lawyer
276. What should you do if you are treated badly by your contact person in a German authority?I can complain to the head of the authority.
279. Most apartment blocks in Germany have "house rules". What do these house rules say? It states ...Rules that all residents must adhere to.
280. If you want to defend yourself against an incorrect tax assessment in Germany, you must ...lodge an objection.
281. Two friends want to go to a public swimming pool in Germany. Both have a dark skin colour and are therefore not allowed in. Which right is violated in this situation? The right to ...Equal treatment
283. What do you do if you receive an incorrect invoice from a German authority?I lodge an objection with the authority.
286. Which organisation in a company helps employees in case of problems with the employer?the works council
287. You would like to terminate your employment with a company in Germany. What do you have to consider?the notice period
288. What is the reason for Germany's special responsibility for Israel?from the National Socialist crimes against Jews
290. You have bought a television in Germany. You unpack the television at home, but it does not work. The television is broken. What can you do?complain about the television
158. The "Third Reich" was a ...dictatorship.
161. What characterised the Nazi state? A policy ...of state racism
162. Claus Schenk Graf von Stauffenberg became famous for ...the assassination attempt on Hitler on 20 July 1944.
164. What happened in Germany on 9 November 1938?Jewish shops and synagogues are destroyed by National Socialists and their supporters.
165. What was the name of the first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany?Konrad Adenauer
166. At which demonstrations in Germany did people shout "We are the people"?at the Monday demonstrations in 1989 in the GDR
168. Which country was not an "Allied occupying power" in Germany?Japan
169. When was the Federal Republic of Germany founded?1949
171. Social market economy means that the economy ...is based on supply and demand, but the state ensures a social balance.
173. The Federal Republic of Germany is a founding member ...of the European Union (EU).
180. The first Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany was ...Konrad Adenauer.
50. The type of economy in Germany is called ...social market economy.
53. What does "constitutional state" mean in Germany?The state must obey the law.
212. What is the full name of Germany?Federal Republic of Germany
219. The Federal Republic of Germany has had the borders it has today since ...1990.
221. Germany is a member of the Schengen Agreement. What does that mean?Germans can travel to many European countries without passport control.
222. Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?Switzerland
223. Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?Poland
224. What does the abbreviation EU mean?European Union
226. What is the flag of the European Union?
227. Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?Denmark
229. Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?Luxembourg
230. The European Parliament is elected regularly, namely every ...5 years.
231. What does the term "European integration" mean?The term refers to the merger of European states to form the EU.
232. Who is elected in the European elections?the members of the European Parliament
233. Which country is a neighbouring country of Germany?Czech Republic
234. Where is the seat of the European Parliament?Strasbourg
236. How many member states does the EU have today?27
237. The 50th anniversary of the "Treaties of Rome" was celebrated in 2007. What was the content of the treaties?Foundation of the European Economic Community (EEC)
238. Where does the European Parliament work?Strasbourg, Luxembourg and Brussels
240. Since when have people in Germany been paying in cash with the euro?2002
184. On what legal basis was the State of Israel founded?a resolution of the United Nations
185. What did the expression "Iron Curtain" stand for? For the sealing off ...the Warsaw Pact against the West.
187. Which German state had a black, red and gold flag with a hammer, compass and spike wreath?
194. On 3 October, Germany celebrates the Day of German ...Unity.
206. What do the so-called "Stolpersteine" in Germany commemorate?to the victims of National Socialism
209. Which was the coat of arms of the German Democratic Republic?
33. Which statement is correct? In Germany ...the state and religious communities are separate from each other.
269. In Germany, children from the age of three until they start school are entitled to ...a place in a kindergarten.
284. What you need to be able to do for work will change very quickly in the future. What can you do?Adults have to keep on learning even after they finish school.