Federalism - Leben in Deutschland Test

Federal structure and federalism in Germany

Module: Life in Democracy

Number of Questions: 8

All questions in this category:

1. Question 24: How many federal states does the Federal Republic of Germany have?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) 14
   2. B) 15
   3. C) 16 ✓ (Correct Answer)
   4. D) 17

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is 16 because the Federal Republic of Germany is composed of 16 federal states, also known as Bundesländer, as established by the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz). This federal structure is fundamental to Germany's political organization, ensuring representation and self-governance for its constituent regions. Option A, 14, is incorrect as it significantly underestimates the number of federal states. Option B, 15, is also incorrect for the same reason. Finally, option D, 17, is incorrect because it suggests there are more federal states than actually exist within the Federal Republic of Germany. The number 16 is a key piece of information regarding Germany's federal system.

   Study Tip:

   Germany has 16 Bundesländer, a foundational aspect of its federal structure.

2. Question 25: What is not a federal state of the Federal Republic of Germany?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Alsace-Lorraine ✓ (Correct Answer)
   2. B) North Rhine-Westphalia
   3. C) Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
   4. D) Saxony-Anhalt

   Explanation:

   Elsass-Lothringen is not a federal state of Germany because the Federal Republic of Germany is composed of its current states, as established by the Basic Law. The other options, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Sachsen-Anhalt, are all constituent states of the Federal Republic of Germany. Option B, Nordrhein-Westfalen, is a federal state. Option C, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, is also a federal state. Option D, Sachsen-Anhalt, is likewise a federal state within Germany. Elsass-Lothringen, or Alsace-Lorraine, is a region historically contested between Germany and France and is currently part of France. Therefore, it cannot be a Bundesland of the Federal Republic of Germany.

   Study Tip:

   Remember that Germany's federal states are currently defined by the Basic Law (Grundgesetz).

3. Question 37: What are the heads of government of most federal states in Germany called?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) First Minister
   2. B) Prime Minister
   3. C) Senator
   4. D) Minister-President ✓ (Correct Answer)

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is D, Ministerpräsidentin/Ministerpräsident. This title reflects the federal structure of Germany, where each state (Land) has its own head of government. Article 30 of the Basic Law establishes the principle of state sovereignty within the framework of the federal constitution. Option A, Erste Ministerin/Erster Minister, is not the standard designation for heads of government in German states. While similar in concept, it is not the legally established term. Option B, Premierministerin/Premierminister, is typically used in parliamentary systems outside of Germany, such as in the United Kingdom or Canada, and does not apply to German state leaders. Option C, Senatorin/Senator, refers to members of a senate, which in Germany is usually a body within a city-state government (like Berlin or Hamburg) or a federal institution, not the head of government of a Land. The term Ministerpräsidentin/Ministerpräsident is the universally recognized title for the head of government in most of Germany's federal states, signifying their leadership role within their respective Länder.

   Study Tip:

   Remember 'Ministerpräsident' as the head of government for most German states, reflecting their 'prime' or 'first' ministerial role within their Land.

4. Question 38: The Federal Republic of Germany is a democratic and social ...

   Answer Options:

   1. A) confederation of states
   2. B) federal state ✓ (Correct Answer)
   3. C) federation
   4. D) centralized state

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is "Bundesstaat" because Article 20 of the German Basic Law explicitly defines the Federal Republic of Germany as a federal state. This principle establishes a union of states with their own powers, while also forming a unified national entity. Option A, "Staatenverbund," suggests a looser association of states that is not as strongly integrated as a federal state. Option C, "Staatenbund," describes an even weaker alliance where sovereign states retain most of their independence. Option D, "Zentralstaat," implies a system where power is concentrated in a central government, which is contrary to the federal structure of Germany. The concept of a "Bundesstaat" is fundamental to Germany's political organization, ensuring a balance of power between the federal level and the individual states (Länder).

   Study Tip:

   Germany is a Bundesstaat (federal state) as per Article 20 of the Basic Law.

5. Question 39: What does every German federal state have?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) its own foreign minister
   2. B) its own currency
   3. C) its own army
   4. D) its own government ✓ (Correct Answer)

   Explanation:

   Option D is correct because the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz) establishes that each federal state (Bundesland) is a sovereign entity with its own constitutional order, which includes having its own government to manage its affairs. This principle of federalism ensures that power is shared between the federal level and the states. Option A is incorrect because while states have ministers, they do not have their own foreign ministers; foreign policy is exclusively a federal responsibility. Option B is incorrect as Germany, and therefore its states, uses the Euro as its sole currency, as mandated by European Union economic policy. Option C is incorrect because the German military, the Bundeswehr, is a federal force and not divided into separate state armies.

   Study Tip:

   Each German state has its own government, reflecting the principle of federalism where power is shared between the federal level and the states.

6. Question 49: Who determines school policy in Germany?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) the teachers
   2. B) the federal states ✓ (Correct Answer)
   3. C) the Ministry of Family Affairs
   4. D) the universities

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is "die Bundesländer" because education is a matter of cultural sovereignty, meaning each federal state is primarily responsible for its own school system, as stipulated by Article 30 and Article 70 of the Basic Law. This federal structure ensures diverse educational approaches tailored to regional needs. Option A, "die Lehrer und Lehrerinnen," are crucial for implementing educational policy but do not determine it. Option C, "das Familienministerium," has responsibilities related to families but not the direct control of school policy. Option D, "die Universitäten," are part of the higher education system and do not set policy for primary and secondary schools.

   Study Tip:

   Education is a state matter in Germany, so the federal states decide school policy.

7. Question 64: The Federal Republic of Germany is structured today into ...

   Answer Options:

   1. A) four occupation zones
   2. B) an eastern state and a western state
   3. C) 16 cantons
   4. D) federal, state and municipal levels ✓ (Correct Answer)

   Explanation:

   The correct answer, "Bund, Länder und Kommunen," reflects the federal structure of Germany as established by the Basic Law (Grundgesetz). This principle of federalism divides governmental power between the federal level, the individual states (Länder), and the local municipalities, ensuring a balance of authority and representation. Option A, "vier Besatzungszonen," refers to the historical division of Germany after World War II, which is no longer the current administrative structure. Option B, "einen Oststaat und einen Weststaat," describes the period of division between the Federal Republic of Germany and the German Democratic Republic, a situation that ended with reunification. Option C, "16 Kantone," is inaccurate because Germany is a federal republic composed of states, not cantons, which are typically found in a confederation like Switzerland. The federal system of Bund, Länder, and Kommunen ensures that governance operates at multiple levels, allowing for both national unity and regional autonomy. This hierarchical yet interconnected structure is fundamental to German democracy.

   Study Tip:

   Germany is a federal republic structured into the Federation (Bund), the States (Länder), and Municipalities (Kommunen).

8. Question 67: What is primarily a task of the federal states in Germany?

   Answer Options:

   1. A) Defense policy
   2. B) Foreign policy
   3. C) Economic policy
   4. D) School policy ✓ (Correct Answer)

   Explanation:

   The correct answer is Schulpolitik because, according to Article 30 of the Basic Law, the states retain sovereignty in matters not expressly assigned to the federal government. Education falls under this residual legislative power of the Länder. The option Verteidigungspolitik (defense policy) is incorrect because defense is a core responsibility of the federal government, as outlined in Article 73 of the Basic Law. Similarly, Außenpolitik (foreign policy) is exclusively a federal matter, also defined in Article 73. Wirtschaftspolitik (economic policy) is a shared responsibility, with significant federal involvement.

   Study Tip:

   Education is a state matter, not federal.