Question 1

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Constitutional amendments must be passed by a simple majority vote in each chamber of the legislature as well as a special constituent assembly. 
B)  Constitutional amendments must be passed by twice two-thirds of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and need not be approved by any other body. 
C)  Constitutional amendments can only be passed by a special constituent assembly which is created by a vote in both chambers of the legislature. 
D)  Constitutional amendments must be passed twice by three-fifths of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and by a special constituent assembly. 
E)  Constitutional amendments must be passed twice by three-quarters of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and subsequently approved by the president. 
A)  Constitutional amendments must be passed by a simple majority vote in each chamber of the legislature as well as a special constituent assembly. 
B)  Constitutional amendments must be passed by twice two-thirds of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and need not be approved by any other body. 
C)  Constitutional amendments can only be passed by a special constituent assembly which is created by a vote in both chambers of the legislature. 
D)  Constitutional amendments must be passed twice by three-fifths of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and by a special constituent assembly. 
E)  Constitutional amendments must be passed twice by three-quarters of the votes in both chambers of the legislature and subsequently approved by the president. D

Question 2

Clientelism is perhaps the most prominent feature of Brazilian politics. First, explain what is meant by this concept. Next, citing specific examples, illustrate how clientelism permeates the Brazilian political system. Finally, assess the impact this on Brazil's transition to democracy.

Accepted Answer

Clientelism refers to a political system in which politicians and political parties exchange goods, services, or favors for political support from individuals or groups. This can include providing jobs, social services, or other benefits in exchange for votes or loyalty.

In the context of Brazilian politics, clientelism is deeply ingrained and has been a prominent feature for many years. One example of this is the practice of "coronelismo," where local political bosses, known as "coronels," would provide resources and favors to their constituents in exchange for their political support. This system created a strong sense of dependency and loyalty to these political leaders, perpetuating a cycle of clientelism.

Another example is the distribution of government resources and contracts based on political allegiance rather than merit. This has led to a system of patronage, where political leaders use their power to reward their supporters and punish their opponents, further entrenching clientelism in the political system.

The impact of clientelism on Brazil's transition to democracy has been significant. It has undermined the development of a more inclusive and accountable political system, as it perpetuates inequality and reinforces the power of a few political elites. Clientelism has also hindered the establishment of strong political institutions and the rule of law, as it prioritizes personal connections and favors over the public good.

In conclusion, clientelism has been a pervasive and detrimental force in Brazilian politics, perpetuating inequality and undermining the country's transition to democracy. Addressing and overcoming clientelism is crucial for Brazil to build a more inclusive and accountable political system.

Question 3

The dependency school of thought holds that

Accepted Answer

A)  businesses become too dependent upon public subsidies. 
B)  underdeveloped countries become dependent upon foreign aid. 
C)  the lower class is dependent upon the upper class and therefore votes as instructed. 
D)  underdeveloped countries find it difficult to achieve growth in a global system dominated by wealthy countries. 
E)  wealthy countries are dependent upon underdeveloped ones for cheap labor and resources. 
A)  businesses become too dependent upon public subsidies. 
B)  underdeveloped countries become dependent upon foreign aid. 
C)  the lower class is dependent upon the upper class and therefore votes as instructed. 
D)  underdeveloped countries find it difficult to achieve growth in a global system dominated by wealthy countries. 
E)  wealthy countries are dependent upon underdeveloped ones for cheap labor and resources. D

Question 4

Substantial efforts to address Brazil's fiscal problems include all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the Real Plan. 
B)  the Fiscal Responsibility Law. 
C)  expanded efforts to improve tax revenues. 
D)  reforming and simplifying the federal tax code. 
E)  reforming sales taxes. 
A)  the Real Plan. 
B)  the Fiscal Responsibility Law. 
C)  expanded efforts to improve tax revenues. 
D)  reforming and simplifying the federal tax code. 
E)  reforming sales taxes.

Question 5

The implication of the phrase para ingles ver (for the English to see) is that

Accepted Answer

A)  transparency of democratic elections is important. 
B)  democracy is just a show for outsiders. 
C)  Brazilians feel dominated by the United States. 
D)  there is a division between English and non-English speakers in Brazil. 
E)  business entities in Brazil operate under English law. 
A)  transparency of democratic elections is important. 
B)  democracy is just a show for outsiders. 
C)  Brazilians feel dominated by the United States. 
D)  there is a division between English and non-English speakers in Brazil. 
E)  business entities in Brazil operate under English law.

Question 6

Discuss how the Brazilian state is a mixture of professionalism and clientelism.

Accepted Answer

The Brazilian state is a complex mixture

Question 7

The difference between Amazonian defense and defense of the Amazon is

Accepted Answer

A)  null as the two are synonymous. 
B)  the former refers to the protection of the environment of the Amazon while the latter refers to the defense of the borders of the Amazon. 
C)  the former is an interest group representing the Indians of the Amazon while the other is an environmental interest group. 
D)  the former, focusing on security and development issues, is reflective older concerns while the latter, focusing on environmental issues, is reflective of concerns that have only recently entered the national psyche. 
E)  the former focuses on the protection of the Amazonian region while the latter focuses exclusively upon the protection of the Amazon River. 
A)  null as the two are synonymous. 
B)  the former refers to the protection of the environment of the Amazon while the latter refers to the defense of the borders of the Amazon. 
C)  the former is an interest group representing the Indians of the Amazon while the other is an environmental interest group. 
D)  the former, focusing on security and development issues, is reflective older concerns while the latter, focusing on environmental issues, is reflective of concerns that have only recently entered the national psyche. 
E)  the former focuses on the protection of the Amazonian region while the latter focuses exclusively upon the protection of the Amazon River.

Question 8

Brazil has a weak party system because

Accepted Answer

A)  of historical circumstances such as the corporatism of the New State era making the formation of independent political parties difficult. 
B)  the country's open-list proportional representation system creates incentives for politicians to ignore party labels because voters can easily cross party lines. 
C)  state, not national, parties select legislative candidates. 
D)  until 2007, candidates could easily shift their party affiliation, even in the midst of an election. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  of historical circumstances such as the corporatism of the New State era making the formation of independent political parties difficult. 
B)  the country's open-list proportional representation system creates incentives for politicians to ignore party labels because voters can easily cross party lines. 
C)  state, not national, parties select legislative candidates. 
D)  until 2007, candidates could easily shift their party affiliation, even in the midst of an election. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 9

Which of the following is a limit on the power of the presidency?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although the president is able to issue provisional measures, these are limited for sixty days, after which time, congress must pass, reject or allow the provisional legislation to continue. 
B)  The president may not reissue provisional measures. 
C)  Congress has the right to be consulted on executive appointments. 
D)  Congress has oversight powers concerning economic policy. 
E)  All of the above are limits on the power of the presidency. 
A)  Although the president is able to issue provisional measures, these are limited for sixty days, after which time, congress must pass, reject or allow the provisional legislation to continue. 
B)  The president may not reissue provisional measures. 
C)  Congress has the right to be consulted on executive appointments. 
D)  Congress has oversight powers concerning economic policy. 
E)  All of the above are limits on the power of the presidency.

Question 10

Brazil's Supreme Federal Tribunal

Accepted Answer

A)  just like the U.S. Supreme Court, acts as the final arbitrator of cases and decides constitutional issues. 
B)  unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, has the responsibility for monitoring the legal compliance of electoral campaigns. 
C)  is similar to the U.S. Supreme Court in that its justices are nominated by the president and must be conformed by a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate. 
D)  like the U.S. Supreme Court, has a record for judicial activism. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  just like the U.S. Supreme Court, acts as the final arbitrator of cases and decides constitutional issues. 
B)  unlike the U.S. Supreme Court, has the responsibility for monitoring the legal compliance of electoral campaigns. 
C)  is similar to the U.S. Supreme Court in that its justices are nominated by the president and must be conformed by a three-fifths majority vote in the Senate. 
D)  like the U.S. Supreme Court, has a record for judicial activism. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 11

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although in general, policy-making tends to be fluid and ambiguous, there are some policy domains which are clearly defined. 
B)  Informal networks tend to be the central players in the policy-making process. 
C)  While organized business has consistently been influential in the policy-making process, organized labor has generally not. 
D)  Policy implementation is subject to perpetual bargaining, which, while allowing for efficiency, often means that the rule of law is not respected. 
E)  All of the above are true statements. 
A)  Although in general, policy-making tends to be fluid and ambiguous, there are some policy domains which are clearly defined. 
B)  Informal networks tend to be the central players in the policy-making process. 
C)  While organized business has consistently been influential in the policy-making process, organized labor has generally not. 
D)  Policy implementation is subject to perpetual bargaining, which, while allowing for efficiency, often means that the rule of law is not respected. 
E)  All of the above are true statements.

Question 12

All of the following are reasons that Brazilians tend to be politically disengaged EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  problems like a weak party system and pervasive clientelism has limited their avenues for becoming more politically active. 
B)  an underfunded educational system and a largely uncritical media leave them without the resources they need to be more active. 
C)  optimistic myths about the country's future persist even in the face of socioeconomic realities that contradict them leading to a sense of powerlessness. 
D)  there is a consensus that the state should organize society rather than society influencing the state. 
E)  All of the above are reasons that Brazilians tend to be politically disengaged. 
A)  problems like a weak party system and pervasive clientelism has limited their avenues for becoming more politically active. 
B)  an underfunded educational system and a largely uncritical media leave them without the resources they need to be more active. 
C)  optimistic myths about the country's future persist even in the face of socioeconomic realities that contradict them leading to a sense of powerlessness. 
D)  there is a consensus that the state should organize society rather than society influencing the state. 
E)  All of the above are reasons that Brazilians tend to be politically disengaged.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Although subnational governments were initially successful in deflecting additional spending responsibilities for health, education and infrastructure programs, recent reforms have forced them to adopt a greater share of the financial burden in such areas. 
B)  An indication of the power of state governments in the Brazilian system can be seen in the fact that the federal government has had to cede shares of new taxes to state governments. 
C)  The bicameral legislatures of states are often dominated by the supporters of the governor. 
D)  Most subnational politics are preoccupied with distributing political favors in return for fiscal rewards. 
E)  The Central Bank intervened in bankrupt state banks and privatized them. 
A)  Although subnational governments were initially successful in deflecting additional spending responsibilities for health, education and infrastructure programs, recent reforms have forced them to adopt a greater share of the financial burden in such areas. 
B)  An indication of the power of state governments in the Brazilian system can be seen in the fact that the federal government has had to cede shares of new taxes to state governments. 
C)  The bicameral legislatures of states are often dominated by the supporters of the governor. 
D)  Most subnational politics are preoccupied with distributing political favors in return for fiscal rewards. 
E)  The Central Bank intervened in bankrupt state banks and privatized them.

Question 14

The gradual process of democratization begun under military rule included all of the following EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  redirecting the country's foreign policy towards gaining closer ties with the United States. 
B)  reestablishing direct elections for state governors. 
C)  eliminating the government's power to oust legislators. 
D)  granting political amnesty for dissenters. 
E)  All of the above were steps taken by the military in its efforts to gradually restore democracy. 
A)  redirecting the country's foreign policy towards gaining closer ties with the United States. 
B)  reestablishing direct elections for state governors. 
C)  eliminating the government's power to oust legislators. 
D)  granting political amnesty for dissenters. 
E)  All of the above were steps taken by the military in its efforts to gradually restore democracy.

Question 15

MERCOSUL

Accepted Answer

A)  is an agreement to establish a common market between Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 
B)  is similar to the European Union in that it has a central executive body. 
C)  has contributed to a threefold increase among its members but a substantial lessening of trade with the rest of the world. 
D)  is similar to NAFTA in that it can evolve into a monetary union with the members sharing a common currency. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  is an agreement to establish a common market between Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. 
B)  is similar to the European Union in that it has a central executive body. 
C)  has contributed to a threefold increase among its members but a substantial lessening of trade with the rest of the world. 
D)  is similar to NAFTA in that it can evolve into a monetary union with the members sharing a common currency. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 16

Even with democratization, the role of the military retains a role in Brazilian politics. This is indicated by

Accepted Answer

A)  the fact that during the Sarney administration, military officers retained cabinet-level rank in areas of importance to the military. 
B)  laws that grant the military broad powers to guarantee internal order and play a tutelary role in civilian government. 
C)  Brazilian officers lobbying on behalf of policies that they favor. 
D)  the fact that, as par to the transition to civilian rule, the military was successful in obtaining amnesty for human rights abuses during the previous authoritarian era. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  the fact that during the Sarney administration, military officers retained cabinet-level rank in areas of importance to the military. 
B)  laws that grant the military broad powers to guarantee internal order and play a tutelary role in civilian government. 
C)  Brazilian officers lobbying on behalf of policies that they favor. 
D)  the fact that, as par to the transition to civilian rule, the military was successful in obtaining amnesty for human rights abuses during the previous authoritarian era. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 17

_____________ refers to the ideology and practice of the state playing a leading role to foster economic development by sponsoring vigorous industrial policy.

Accepted Answer

A)  Statism 
B)  Communism 
C)  Socialism 
D)  Developmentism 
E)  Nationalism 
A)  Statism 
B)  Communism 
C)  Socialism 
D)  Developmentism 
E)  Nationalism

Question 18

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Voting is compulsory for all Brazilians except illiterates and those over seventy. 
B)  Elections in Brazil operate under an open-list proportional representation system. 
C)  Parties are entitled to an amount of free air time, on both radio and television, in proportion to their number of votes in the last election. 
D)  Just as in the United States, the boundaries of electoral districts in Brazil vary from state to state in Brazil so that all districts have a roughly equal number of residents. 
E)  Elections are held in a staggered fashion, with some officials being elected one time and others another time. 
A)  Voting is compulsory for all Brazilians except illiterates and those over seventy. 
B)  Elections in Brazil operate under an open-list proportional representation system. 
C)  Parties are entitled to an amount of free air time, on both radio and television, in proportion to their number of votes in the last election. 
D)  Just as in the United States, the boundaries of electoral districts in Brazil vary from state to state in Brazil so that all districts have a roughly equal number of residents. 
E)  Elections are held in a staggered fashion, with some officials being elected one time and others another time.

Question 19

The economic policy that promotes the domestic production of previously imported goods is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  export-led growth. 
B)  import-substitution industrialization. 
C)  protectionism. 
D)  a command economy. 
E)  interventionism. 
A)  export-led growth. 
B)  import-substitution industrialization. 
C)  protectionism. 
D)  a command economy. 
E)  interventionism.

Question 20

In 2010, Brazil was on pace to become the _____________ largest economy in the world.

Accepted Answer

A)  fifth 
B)  fifteenth 
C)  twentieth 
D)  third 
E)  fourth 
A)  fifth 
B)  fifteenth 
C)  twentieth 
D)  third 
E)  fourth

Which of the following is TRUE?

Clientelism is perhaps the most prominent feature of Brazilian politics. First, explain what is meant by this concept. Next, citing specific examples, illustrate how clientelism permeates the Brazilian political system. Finally, assess the impact this on Brazil's transition to democracy.

The dependency school of thought holds that

Substantial efforts to address Brazil's fiscal problems include all of the following EXCEPT

The implication of the phrase para ingles ver (for the English to see) is that

Discuss how the Brazilian state is a mixture of professionalism and clientelism.

The difference between Amazonian defense and defense of the Amazon is

Brazil has a weak party system because

Which of the following is a limit on the power of the presidency?

Brazil's Supreme Federal Tribunal

Which of the following is TRUE?

All of the following are reasons that Brazilians tend to be politically disengaged EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT true?

The gradual process of democratization begun under military rule included all of the following EXCEPT

MERCOSUL

Even with democratization, the role of the military retains a role in Brazilian politics. This is indicated by

_____________ refers to the ideology and practice of the state playing a leading role to foster economic development by sponsoring vigorous industrial policy.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The economic policy that promotes the domestic production of previously imported goods is known as

In 2010, Brazil was on pace to become the _____________ largest economy in the world.

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Exam 9: Brazil

Which of the following is TRUE?

Clientelism is perhaps the most prominent feature of Brazilian politics. First, explain what is meant by this concept. Next, citing specific examples, illustrate how clientelism permeates the Brazilian political system. Finally, assess the impact this on Brazil's transition to democracy.

The dependency school of thought holds that

Substantial efforts to address Brazil's fiscal problems include all of the following EXCEPT

The implication of the phrase para ingles ver (for the English to see) is that

Discuss how the Brazilian state is a mixture of professionalism and clientelism.

The difference between Amazonian defense and defense of the Amazon is

Brazil has a weak party system because

Which of the following is a limit on the power of the presidency?

Brazil's Supreme Federal Tribunal

Which of the following is TRUE?

All of the following are reasons that Brazilians tend to be politically disengaged EXCEPT

Which of the following is NOT true?

The gradual process of democratization begun under military rule included all of the following EXCEPT

MERCOSUL

Even with democratization, the role of the military retains a role in Brazilian politics. This is indicated by

_____________ refers to the ideology and practice of the state playing a leading role to foster economic development by sponsoring vigorous industrial policy.

Which of the following statements is NOT true?

The economic policy that promotes the domestic production of previously imported goods is known as

In 2010, Brazil was on pace to become the _____________ largest economy in the world.

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

The United States

Russia

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters