Unit 4. State system of russia

Ex. 1. Read the following words and word-combinations:

integrated multinational as a result of to associate equal unit to subject subject autonomous territory region of federal importance sovereign body authority district to conform judicial law emblem charter legislation branch of power legislative executive to belong to to exercise through representative elective Federal Assembly Federal Council 33. State Duma 34. Chamber 35. term 36. to head to be composed of legislature to initiate either to approve to sign to veto commander-in-chief to make to conclude treaty to enforce to appoint candidacy to determine court Supreme Court Arbitration Court justice judge people's assessor in accordance with 59. exclusively 60. stripe 61. liberty

целостный многонациональный в результате соединять(ся) равный единица, часть (чего - либо) подчиняться субъект (Федерации) автономный край область, регион федерального значения суверенный орган власть округ соответствовать судебный закон, право герб устав законодательство ветвь власти законодательный исполнительный принадлежать осуществлять через, посредством представитель(ный) выборный Федеральное Собрание Совет Федерации Государственная Дума Палата срок (период времени) возглавлять состоять из законодательная власть, орган вводить, инициировать и тот, и другой; оба одобрять, утверждать подписывать налагать вето, запрещать главнокомандующий создавать, составлять заключать договор проводить законы в жизнь назначать кандидатура определять суд Верховный суд Арбитражный суд правосудие судья народный заседатель согласно чему-либо исключительно полоса свобода

Ex. 2. Read and translate the text.

State System of Russia

Under the Constitution of 1993 Russia is an integrated multinational state formed as a result of free self-determination of nations and voluntary association of equal administrative-territorial units. It consists of 85 Subjects of the Federation. Among them are Republics, Territories, Regions, Autonomous Regions, 1 Autonomous Area and 3 cities (Moscow, St. Petersburg and Sevastopol) being of federal importance. Besides, Russia is divided into 8 Federal Districts.

Each Republic is a sovereign state. It has its own Constitution conforming to the Constitution of the Russian Federation. It also has its own bodies of authority, its own judicial system, its own laws, capital, emblem and flag. The other Subjects of the Russian Federation have their Charters and legislation.

Russia is a presidential republic. There are three branches of power: legislative, executive and judicial. Each of them is controlled and balanced by the President. The President is the head of the state. He serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. He makes and concludes treaties, enforces federal laws, appoints members of the executive departments to be approved by the Federal Assembly.

All power in the Russian Federation belongs to the people. They exercise their power through the Parliament, the representative, elective body. The Federal Assembly (Parliament of Russia) consists of two chambers: the Federal Council and the State Duma. The State Duma is elected for the term of five years and is headed by the Speaker. The Upper Chamber (the Federal Council) is composed of two representatives from each Subject of the Russian Federation. The Lower Chamber (the State Duma) consists of 450 members. Legislation may be initiated in either of the two Chambers. But to become a law a bill must be approved by both Chambers and signed by the President. The President may veto the bill.

The highest executive and administrative body of state authority of Russia is the Government, which is headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and his candidacy must be approved by the State Duma. The Prime Minister forms the Government, which consists of Vice-Chairmen and Ministers. The Government determines directions of economic, social and cultural development of the country.

The judicial branch is represented by the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, the Arbitration Court, and the Courts of the Subjects of the Russian Federation. Justice is administered exclusively by the Courts. In accordance with the Constitution judges and people's assessors are independent and subject only to the law.

Today the state symbol of Russia is a three-colored banner. It has three horizontal stripes: white, blue and red. The white stripe symbolizes the earth, the blue one – the sky, and the red one symbolizes liberty. The anthem of Russia is composed by Alexander V. Alexandrov. A new national emblem is a two-headed eagle, the most ancient symbol of Russia.

Ex. 3. Form derivatives from the following verbs:

Model: to represent - representative –representation

to form, to execute, to determine, to initiate, to conform, to elect, to adopt, to associate, to administrate, to subject, to conclude.

Ex. 4. Give English equivalents for:

целостное многонациональное государство; свободное самоопределение; добровольное объединение; субъекты Федерации; суверенное государство; города федерального значения; три ветви государственной власти; представительный выборный орган власти; срок полномочий; Совет Федерации и Государственная Дума; Федеральное Собрание; обеими палатами Парламента; высший орган исполнительной власти; заместитель председателя Правительства; судебная ветвь власти; суды Российской Федерации; подчиняться закону.

Ex. 5. Insert prepositions where necessary.

1. All power ... the Russian Federation belongs ... the people.

2. All bodies ... state authority ... top ... bottom are elected ... the people.

3. Millions ... people take part ... the administration ... this country.

4. Each Republic has its own Constitution conforming ... the Constitution Russia.

5. The people exercise their power ... the Parliament, the highest legislative body.

6. Legislation may be initiated ... either ... the two chambers.

7. Russia is one ... the largest countries ... the world.

8. The State Duma is elected ... the term ... five years.

9. The Prime Minister forms the Government, which consists … Vice-Chairmen and Ministers.

10. … accordance … the Constitution judges and people's assessors are independent and subject only … the law.

Ex. 6. Translate the following sentences from Russian into English.

1. Российская Федерация, Россия, есть демократическое федеративное государство.

2. Россия состоит из республик, краев, областей, городов федерального значения, автономной области, автономных округов равноправных субъектов Российской Федерации.

3. Россия образована на основе свободного самоопределения наций и добровольного объединения равноправных административно-территориальных единиц.

4. Государственная власть в России осуществляется президентом, Федеральным Собранием и судами Российской Федерации.

5. Федеральное Собрание – парламент России – является представительным и законодательным органом власти.

6. Государственная Дума избирается сроком на пять лет.

7. Правительство, высший исполнительный орган страны, возглавляется Премьер-министром.

8. Президент – это глава государства.

9. Конституционный суд, Верховный суд, Арбитражный суд являются высшими органами судебной власти.

10. Правосудие в России осуществляется только судами.

11. Судьи и народные заседатели независимы и подчиняются только Конституции Российской Федерации.

12. Государственными символами России являются трехцветный флаг, гимн и герб.

Ex. 7. Answer the following questions:

1. What kind of state is Russia according to the Constitution?

2. How many subjects of the Federation does Russia consist of?

3. How many branches of power are there in Russia?

4. Whom does the power belong to in Russia?

5. What is the highest legislative organ of power in Russia?

6. How is the Russian Parliament called?

7. How many chambers does it consist of?

8. How is the Federal Council organized?

9. How many members does the State Duma consist of?

10. Where can legislation be initiated?

11. What term of office is the State Duma elected for?

12. Who heads the state?

13. What are the duties of the President?

14. What is the highest executive body of authority in Russia?

15. Who heads the Government?

16. Is the Prime Minister appointed or elected?

17. What is justice administered by?

18. What are the state symbols of Russia?

Ex. 8. Agree or disagree with the statements.

To agree To disagree

I'm exactly of the same opinion. I'm not sure in fact.

That's quite right. I don't agree.

Oh, exactly! I disagree with you

I absolutely agree. I don't think that's right.

I'm with you here. I can't say I share your view.

1. All power in Russia belongs to the President.

2. The Federal Assembly is the highest executive body of authority in our country.

3. The Russian Parliament consists of one chamber.

4. The State Duma is a representative organ.

5. The Federal Council consists of two representatives from each Subject of the Russian Federation.

6. The State Duma is elected for the term of four years.

7. Legislation may be initiated only in the Federal Council.

8. To become a law a bill must be approved by the Federal Assembly.

9. The President cannot veto the bill.

10. Russia is a presidential republic.

11. Government is the highest legislative body of state power.

12. The Prime Minister serves as the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.

13. The President is the head of the state.

14. The President determines directions of economic, social and cultural development of the country.

15. Judicial branch of state power is represented by different courts.

16. The state symbol of Russia is a one-colored banner.

17. The emblem of the Russian Federation is a two-headed eagle.

Ex. 9. Say, what information the text gives about:

1. Russia as a presidential republic.

2. Russian Parliament.

3. Government of Russia.

4. Judicial branch of power.

5. State symbols of Russia.

Ex. 10. Imagine that you are a stranger and you are in Russia for the first time. What questions will you ask concerning the state system of the Russian Federation?

Ex. 11. Retell the text using the introductory phrase 'This text is about... '.

Ex. 12. Read these short dialogues and role-play them.

1.

• Who is entitled to elect and be elected in Russia?

• Everyone who has reached the age of eighteen.

• And at what age can a person be elected to the Parliament?

- At the age of twenty-one.

2.

-What is the executive power represented by in Russia?

• It is represented by the Government.

3.

• How many chambers does the Federal Assembly consist of?

• Of two chambers: the Federal Council and the State Duma.

4.

• How long does the Parliament of Russia hold office?

• For five years.

• And how many members are there in the Parliament?

-166 in the upper Chamber and 450 in the lower Chamber.

Ex. 13. Read the dialogue and render it into reported speech.

A: It's been a long time since I saw you last, Nick. Where have you been all this time?

N: I have been to England.

A.: Really? Did you go there as a tourist?

N.: No, I went there on an exchange scheme.

A.: Fine! Now you can give me some information about England, can't you?

N.: Yes, certainly. What do you want to know?

A.: First of all tell me how laws are made in the United Kingdom.

N.: British Parliament is the highest legislative organ. The fact is there are two Chambers in Parliament and they are called Houses.

A.: I see. And what House is more important?

N.: I think the House of Commons as it governs the country. The members of the House of Commons are elected by secret ballot. They belong to different political parties.

A.: And how many members are there in the House of Commons?

N.: About six hundred and thirty.

A.: Then, I suppose the party that gains the majority forms the government, doesn't it?

N.: You are quite right. Yes, the leader of the majority party becomes the Prime Minister and he forms the Cabinet.

A.: And what about the other Chamber? How is it called?

N.: The House of Lords. The seats in the House of Lords were hereditary. There were more than 1000 members there.

A.: What! Such a lot of members! Are you sure?

N.: Quite sure. The House of Lords met on only three days a week, for hours. Not more than 100 peers took part in the regular work of the House. The rest of them appeared only on ceremonial occasions. But as far as I know some changes have happened lately. British Parliament has abolished the right of heredity. And I don't know how the House of Lords is formed now.

A.: I'm very grateful to you. I've learned many interesting things about British Parliament.

Ex. 14. Read and reproduce the following short dialogues.

1.

• What is the term of office of British Parliament?

• Five years.

2.

• What kind of state is the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland?

• It is a constitutional monarchy.

3.

• How is the sovereign called in the UK?

• The Sovereign has the title of King (or Queen).

4.

• What are the functions of the sovereign?

• He (or she) has very few functions: the function of the arbiter of last resort in some matters, i.e. dissolution of Parliament and invitations to form a government when there is no clear majority.

Texts for Extra Reading

Ex. 15. Translate the text in writing.

Congress

Article I, Section I of the United States Constitution, provides that all legislative powers must be vested in Congress of the United Slates, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

The Senate is composed of 100 members - 2 from each State, irrespective of population of area. A Senator must be at least 30 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for 9 years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State for which the Senator is chosen. The term of office is 6 years and one-third of the total membership of the Senate is elected every second year. The terms of both Senators from a particular State are so arranged that they do not terminate at the same time. Of the two Senators from a State serving at the same time the one who was elected first — or if both were elected at the same time, the one elected for a full term - is referred to as the "senior" Senator from the State. The other is referred to as the "junior" Senator. Each Senator has one vote.

As constituted in 1989 - the 101^st Congress - the House of Representatives is composed of 435 Members elected every 2 years from among 50 States, apportioned to their total population. A Representative must be at least 25 years of age, have been a citizen of the United States for 7 years, and, when elected, be a resident of the State in which the representative is chosen. Each Representative has one vote.

Unlike some other parliamentary bodies both the Senate and the House of Representatives have equal legislative functions and powers (except that only the House of Representatives may initiate revenue bills, and the designation of one as the "upper" House and the other as the "lower" House is not appropriate).

The chief function of Congress is making laws. In addition the Senate has the function of advising and consenting to treaties and to certain nominations by the President. In the matter of impeachment, the House of Representatives presents the charges - a function similar to that of a grand jury -and the Senate sits as a court to try the impeachment.