Question 1

Members of the Constitutional Council

Accepted Answer

A)  are appointed for life. 
B)  have always been lower court justices prior to their appointment. 
C)  continue to play only a marginal role when compared to the legislature and executive. 
D)  are typically male. 
E)  perform the role of proactive judicial review in that they review bills before they are voted upon in the National Assembly. 
A)  are appointed for life. 
B)  have always been lower court justices prior to their appointment. 
C)  continue to play only a marginal role when compared to the legislature and executive. 
D)  are typically male. 
E)  perform the role of proactive judicial review in that they review bills before they are voted upon in the National Assembly.

Question 2

The term French exceptionalism refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  the idea that France is so unique it cannot be compared to other countries. 
B)  the idea that French citizens universally believe that their system serves as the best example for others to follow. 
C)  the existence of severe ideological conflicts that have fueled political instability. 
D)  the fact that France has had more governments than any other European state since World War II. 
E)  the tendency for France to completely abandon one form of government and replace it with another. 
A)  the idea that France is so unique it cannot be compared to other countries. 
B)  the idea that French citizens universally believe that their system serves as the best example for others to follow. 
C)  the existence of severe ideological conflicts that have fueled political instability. 
D)  the fact that France has had more governments than any other European state since World War II. 
E)  the tendency for France to completely abandon one form of government and replace it with another.

Question 3

France's neoliberal modernization strategies include

Accepted Answer

A)  dirigisme in only select sectors like biotech. 
B)  privatization, deregulation, and liberalization. 
C)  sharp increases in social spending. 
D)  increasing the country's holdings of foreign currencies. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  dirigisme in only select sectors like biotech. 
B)  privatization, deregulation, and liberalization. 
C)  sharp increases in social spending. 
D)  increasing the country's holdings of foreign currencies. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 4

The governmental system used in France today is called a

Accepted Answer

A)  semiparliamentarian system. 
B)  presidential system. 
C)  parliamentarian system. 
D)  hybrid system. 
E)  semipresidential system. 
A)  semiparliamentarian system. 
B)  presidential system. 
C)  parliamentarian system. 
D)  hybrid system. 
E)  semipresidential system.

Question 5

Although two separate but contradictory democratic currents, France supports

Accepted Answer

A)  a belief that citizens should directly participate in politics while valuing representative government. 
B)  a belief in multiparty government while valuing stable government. 
C)  a belief in parliament while valuing strong leadership vested in a president. 
D)  a belief in free speech while supporting the policies of one's government at all times. 
E)  a belief in representative government while valuing a strong apolitical bureaucracy to run the country's affairs. 
A)  a belief that citizens should directly participate in politics while valuing representative government. 
B)  a belief in multiparty government while valuing stable government. 
C)  a belief in parliament while valuing strong leadership vested in a president. 
D)  a belief in free speech while supporting the policies of one's government at all times. 
E)  a belief in representative government while valuing a strong apolitical bureaucracy to run the country's affairs.

Question 6

One of the primary causes of the riots in 2005 was

Accepted Answer

A)  government attempts to expel Muslims from France. 
B)  a law banning the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols. 
C)  strict government quotas on additional immigrants. 
D)  persistently high rates of unemployment among Muslim youths. 
E)  crimes against Muslims. 
A)  government attempts to expel Muslims from France. 
B)  a law banning the wearing of conspicuous religious symbols. 
C)  strict government quotas on additional immigrants. 
D)  persistently high rates of unemployment among Muslim youths. 
E)  crimes against Muslims.

Question 7

What has been the most important impact of the gender parity law?

Accepted Answer

A)  A backlash against female politicians resulting in a decline in the number of female deputies 
B)  The election of a female prime minister 
C)  The nomination of a female candidate for president 
D)  An increase of 50 percent in the number of females in the National Assembly 
E)  An increase in women's representation in subnational governments 
A)  A backlash against female politicians resulting in a decline in the number of female deputies 
B)  The election of a female prime minister 
C)  The nomination of a female candidate for president 
D)  An increase of 50 percent in the number of females in the National Assembly 
E)  An increase in women's representation in subnational governments

Question 8

Which groups of citizens benefit disproportionately from France's social programs?

Accepted Answer

A)  Younger workers and retirees 
B)  Immigrants and part-time workers 
C)  Full-time workers and the elderly 
D)  Full-time workers and children 
E)  Part-time workers and children 
A)  Younger workers and retirees 
B)  Immigrants and part-time workers 
C)  Full-time workers and the elderly 
D)  Full-time workers and children 
E)  Part-time workers and children

Question 9

The relationship between interest groups and the French government

Accepted Answer

A)  is close. The French executive never acts on its own without consulting interest groups. 
B)  is contentious. Interest groups are never consulted and thus can only protest to influence policy. 
C)  used to be close but has become more distant. 
D)  is distant. The French executive often acts on its own without consulting interest groups. 
E)  is only close when speaking of the relationship between members of parliament and interest groups. This is due to the influence of PACS in French elections. 
A)  is close. The French executive never acts on its own without consulting interest groups. 
B)  is contentious. Interest groups are never consulted and thus can only protest to influence policy. 
C)  used to be close but has become more distant. 
D)  is distant. The French executive often acts on its own without consulting interest groups. 
E)  is only close when speaking of the relationship between members of parliament and interest groups. This is due to the influence of PACS in French elections.

Question 10

What has been the most important effect of the two-ballot single-district procedure used to elect delegates to the National Assembly?

Accepted Answer

A)  Fragmentation of the party system 
B)  Emergence of small fringe parties 
C)  Decline in voter turnout 
D)  Political corruption 
E)  Polarization of the party system 
A)  Fragmentation of the party system 
B)  Emergence of small fringe parties 
C)  Decline in voter turnout 
D)  Political corruption 
E)  Polarization of the party system

Question 11

When observers say that there was another French Revolution in the post-World War II period, they are referring to

Accepted Answer

A)  the creation of the Fifth Republic. 
B)  the eight years of intense sectarian violence in the country. 
C)  the elimination of the last vestiges of the French monarchy. 
D)  the overall moral foundations and social equilibrium of France, resulting in economic and social modernization. 
E)  the country's increasing integration with the European Union. 
A)  the creation of the Fifth Republic. 
B)  the eight years of intense sectarian violence in the country. 
C)  the elimination of the last vestiges of the French monarchy. 
D)  the overall moral foundations and social equilibrium of France, resulting in economic and social modernization. 
E)  the country's increasing integration with the European Union.

Question 12

_____________ was the only president since De Gaulle to expand the power of the presidency.

Accepted Answer

A)  Frances Mitterrand 
B)  Jacques Chirac 
C)  Georges Pompidou 
D)  Valery Giscard d'Estaing 
E)  Nicolas Sarkozy 
A)  Frances Mitterrand 
B)  Jacques Chirac 
C)  Georges Pompidou 
D)  Valery Giscard d'Estaing 
E)  Nicolas Sarkozy

Question 13

Which of the following is a major difference between the legal system of Roman law practiced in France and the common law system practiced in the United States and Britain?

Accepted Answer

A)  In France, little importance is given to precedence, and judges take an active role in questioning witnesses and advising juries. 
B)  In France, the legal system generally does a much better job protecting minorities. 
C)  Judges in France are appointed for life whereas in common law states they are appointed for renewable terms. 
D)  Judges in France are appointed by the National Assembly whereas in common law states they are appointed by the executive. 
E)  Accused criminals have much greater protection in France than in common law states. 
A)  In France, little importance is given to precedence, and judges take an active role in questioning witnesses and advising juries. 
B)  In France, the legal system generally does a much better job protecting minorities. 
C)  Judges in France are appointed for life whereas in common law states they are appointed for renewable terms. 
D)  Judges in France are appointed by the National Assembly whereas in common law states they are appointed by the executive. 
E)  Accused criminals have much greater protection in France than in common law states.

Question 14

Assess the charge that there is a crisis of political representation in the party system of France. What developments have occurred that lead some to make this charge? How fundamentally important are these developments? What are their consequences?

Accepted Answer

The charge that there is a crisis of pol

Question 15

The cohabitation between President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin produced what reform in 2000?

Accepted Answer

A)  Run-off elections would be held until the same coalition holds both the presidency and the National Assembly. 
B)  The president's term was reduced to five years and elections for the president and National Assembly would be held at roughly the same time. 
C)  The National Assembly would be dissolved and new elections called in the event of cohabitation. 
D)  The National Assembly gained the power to appoint the president. 
E)  The cabinet was given additional duties. 
A)  Run-off elections would be held until the same coalition holds both the presidency and the National Assembly. 
B)  The president's term was reduced to five years and elections for the president and National Assembly would be held at roughly the same time. 
C)  The National Assembly would be dissolved and new elections called in the event of cohabitation. 
D)  The National Assembly gained the power to appoint the president. 
E)  The cabinet was given additional duties.

Question 16

Unions in France

Accepted Answer

A)  have historically been quite strong. 
B)  are viewed negatively by the French public. 
C)  have become weaker due to France's declining industrial sector. 
D)  are invited by government to participate in the making of labor relations policy. 
E)  have been quite active in recent decades organizing demonstrations to protest government cutbacks in social benefits. 
A)  have historically been quite strong. 
B)  are viewed negatively by the French public. 
C)  have become weaker due to France's declining industrial sector. 
D)  are invited by government to participate in the making of labor relations policy. 
E)  have been quite active in recent decades organizing demonstrations to protest government cutbacks in social benefits.

Question 17

The two-ballot system used in presidential elections means that

Accepted Answer

A)  citizens vote for the president and prime minister on separate ballots. 
B)  only two candidates can run for president. 
C)  if no candidate wins a majority on the first ballot, a run-off election is held two weeks later between the top two candidates. 
D)  citizens vote for the president and the National Assembly on separate ballots. 
E)  citizens vote for the individual on one ballot and the party on another. 
A)  citizens vote for the president and prime minister on separate ballots. 
B)  only two candidates can run for president. 
C)  if no candidate wins a majority on the first ballot, a run-off election is held two weeks later between the top two candidates. 
D)  citizens vote for the president and the National Assembly on separate ballots. 
E)  citizens vote for the individual on one ballot and the party on another.

Question 18

When the National Assembly votes on a motion of no confidence or censure of the government, what happens?

Accepted Answer

A)  The government must publicly apologize. 
B)  The government must call new legislative elections. 
C)  The government must introduce new legislation along the lines demanded by parliament. 
D)  The government must resign. 
E)  The Senate then begins impeachment proceedings. 
A)  The government must publicly apologize. 
B)  The government must call new legislative elections. 
C)  The government must introduce new legislation along the lines demanded by parliament. 
D)  The government must resign. 
E)  The Senate then begins impeachment proceedings.

Question 19

Cohabitation is the

Accepted Answer

A)  practice of the president and prime minister both taking up residence at Elysee Palace. 
B)  mingling of French and Muslim citizens. 
C)  fusion of executive and legislative branches. 
D)  merging of French and European Union law. 
E)  situation where the president's coalition is different from the coalition in control of the parliament. 
A)  practice of the president and prime minister both taking up residence at Elysee Palace. 
B)  mingling of French and Muslim citizens. 
C)  fusion of executive and legislative branches. 
D)  merging of French and European Union law. 
E)  situation where the president's coalition is different from the coalition in control of the parliament.

Question 20

The main purpose of the law prohibiting schoolgirls from wearing a headscarf to public schools was to

Accepted Answer

A)  preserve religious neutrality in the public sphere. 
B)  avoid persecution of Jews. 
C)  discourage religious violence in schools. 
D)  enforce the government's official position of atheism. 
E)  encourage equal protection for Muslim women. 
A)  preserve religious neutrality in the public sphere. 
B)  avoid persecution of Jews. 
C)  discourage religious violence in schools. 
D)  enforce the government's official position of atheism. 
E)  encourage equal protection for Muslim women.

Members of the Constitutional Council

The term French exceptionalism refers to

France's neoliberal modernization strategies include

The governmental system used in France today is called a

Although two separate but contradictory democratic currents, France supports

One of the primary causes of the riots in 2005 was

What has been the most important impact of the gender parity law?

Which groups of citizens benefit disproportionately from France's social programs?

The relationship between interest groups and the French government

What has been the most important effect of the two-ballot single-district procedure used to elect delegates to the National Assembly?

When observers say that there was another French Revolution in the post-World War II period, they are referring to

_____________ was the only president since De Gaulle to expand the power of the presidency.

Which of the following is a major difference between the legal system of Roman law practiced in France and the common law system practiced in the United States and Britain?

Assess the charge that there is a crisis of political representation in the party system of France. What developments have occurred that lead some to make this charge? How fundamentally important are these developments? What are their consequences?

The cohabitation between President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin produced what reform in 2000?

Unions in France

The two-ballot system used in presidential elections means that

When the National Assembly votes on a motion of no confidence or censure of the government, what happens?

Cohabitation is the

The main purpose of the law prohibiting schoolgirls from wearing a headscarf to public schools was to

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Exam 3: France

Members of the Constitutional Council

The term French exceptionalism refers to

France's neoliberal modernization strategies include

The governmental system used in France today is called a

Although two separate but contradictory democratic currents, France supports

One of the primary causes of the riots in 2005 was

What has been the most important impact of the gender parity law?

Which groups of citizens benefit disproportionately from France's social programs?

The relationship between interest groups and the French government

What has been the most important effect of the two-ballot single-district procedure used to elect delegates to the National Assembly?

When observers say that there was another French Revolution in the post-World War II period, they are referring to

_____________ was the only president since De Gaulle to expand the power of the presidency.

Which of the following is a major difference between the legal system of Roman law practiced in France and the common law system practiced in the United States and Britain?

Assess the charge that there is a crisis of political representation in the party system of France. What developments have occurred that lead some to make this charge? How fundamentally important are these developments? What are their consequences?

The cohabitation between President Chirac and Prime Minister Jospin produced what reform in 2000?

Unions in France

The two-ballot system used in presidential elections means that

When the National Assembly votes on a motion of no confidence or censure of the government, what happens?

Cohabitation is the

The main purpose of the law prohibiting schoolgirls from wearing a headscarf to public schools was to

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

Germany

Japan

India

The United States

Russia

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters