Question 1

Which of the following statements about the relationships among democratization, modernization theory, and political elites is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Scholars have shown that contrary to modernization theory, poverty typically does not serve as an obstacle to democratization. 
B) A core assertion of modernization theory is that a country with political elites will allow democratic institutions to flourish if the country develops enough natural resources to become wealthy. 
C) According to modernization theory, economic development is important to democratization, but a focus on elites shows that the type of wealth or resources has a big impact on the success of democratization. 
D) Concentration of economic assets in the hands of a few elites in power ultimately advances democracy because those elites feel secure in their positions and thus allow democratization to flourish. 
E) Decline of natural resources or economic stagnation typically forces an entrenchment of elites and a reduction of the chances for democratization. 
A) Scholars have shown that contrary to modernization theory, poverty typically does not serve as an obstacle to democratization. 
B) A core assertion of modernization theory is that a country with political elites will allow democratic institutions to flourish if the country develops enough natural resources to become wealthy. 
C) According to modernization theory, economic development is important to democratization, but a focus on elites shows that the type of wealth or resources has a big impact on the success of democratization. 
D) Concentration of economic assets in the hands of a few elites in power ultimately advances democracy because those elites feel secure in their positions and thus allow democratization to flourish. 
E) Decline of natural resources or economic stagnation typically forces an entrenchment of elites and a reduction of the chances for democratization. C

Question 2

Which of the following was an effect of the rapid development of many Asian countries in the 1970s on the study of democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) It helped to discredit elite theory. 
B) It helped to discredit modernization theory. 
C) It demonstrated that elites were the driving force behind early democratization. 
D) It proved that a middle class was essential for democratization. 
E) It demonstrated that overall poverty is not an impediment to democratization. 
A) It helped to discredit elite theory. 
B) It helped to discredit modernization theory. 
C) It demonstrated that elites were the driving force behind early democratization. 
D) It proved that a middle class was essential for democratization. 
E) It demonstrated that overall poverty is not an impediment to democratization. B

Question 3

Bicameral systems can be traced back to different representation for:

Accepted Answer

A) economic classes. 
B) religious groups. 
C) regional differences. 
D) women and men. 
E) urban and rural groups. 
A) economic classes. 
B) religious groups. 
C) regional differences. 
D) women and men. 
E) urban and rural groups. A

Question 4

In which of the following ways does a proportional representation (PR) system differ from a single-member district (SMD) system?

Accepted Answer

A) In a PR system, individual candidates win by plurality vote instead of majority. 
B) Voters in a PR system are typically more willing to vote for smaller parties. 
C) In a PR system, votes cast for a candidate or party that does not win are essentially wasted. 
D) Each constituency in a PR system has only one representative. 
E) Voters in a PR system cast a ballot for a candidate and for a party, not just for a candidate. 
A) In a PR system, individual candidates win by plurality vote instead of majority. 
B) Voters in a PR system are typically more willing to vote for smaller parties. 
C) In a PR system, votes cast for a candidate or party that does not win are essentially wasted. 
D) Each constituency in a PR system has only one representative. 
E) Voters in a PR system cast a ballot for a candidate and for a party, not just for a candidate.

Question 5

The origins of British democracy can be traced back to the:

Accepted Answer

A) Magna Carta, 1215. 
B) Bill of Rights, 1689. 
C) Voting Act, 1911. 
D) Reform Act, 1911. 
E) Patronage Act, 1752. 
A) Magna Carta, 1215. 
B) Bill of Rights, 1689. 
C) Voting Act, 1911. 
D) Reform Act, 1911. 
E) Patronage Act, 1752.

Question 6

Single-member district systems are:

Accepted Answer

A) electoral systems in which a candidate must win an absolute majority of the vote in a district to win the seat. 
B) electoral systems in which the candidate with the largest share of the vote in a district wins the seat. 
C) electoral systems in which the percentage of votes a party receives in a district will determine how many seats that party will win. 
D) two-round systems for referenda and initiatives. 
E) two-round systems for electing presidents and prime ministers. 
A) electoral systems in which a candidate must win an absolute majority of the vote in a district to win the seat. 
B) electoral systems in which the candidate with the largest share of the vote in a district wins the seat. 
C) electoral systems in which the percentage of votes a party receives in a district will determine how many seats that party will win. 
D) two-round systems for referenda and initiatives. 
E) two-round systems for electing presidents and prime ministers.

Question 7

What are the most important differences between a single-member district system and a proportional representation system? Which is more democratic? Which is more efficient? Which do you prefer, and why?

Accepted Answer

The most important differences between a

Question 8

Which of the following statements about bicameralism is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Bicameralism is typically linked to unitary states, though not exclusively so. 
B) Bicameral systems were often retained in modern times to restrict the power of popularly elected lower houses of the legislature. 
C) Bicameral legislatures are an essential component of semi-presidential systems, where each voter casts two votes, one pertaining to each house of the legislature. 
D) Members of lower houses typically serve longer terms than members of upper houses in bicameral systems. 
E) Lower houses are generally weaker than upper houses in bicameral systems. 
A) Bicameralism is typically linked to unitary states, though not exclusively so. 
B) Bicameral systems were often retained in modern times to restrict the power of popularly elected lower houses of the legislature. 
C) Bicameral legislatures are an essential component of semi-presidential systems, where each voter casts two votes, one pertaining to each house of the legislature. 
D) Members of lower houses typically serve longer terms than members of upper houses in bicameral systems. 
E) Lower houses are generally weaker than upper houses in bicameral systems.

Question 9

Which of the following best describes the correlative relationship between the type of executive in a country and the type of electoral system used to elect the legislature?

Accepted Answer

A) Countries that use a single-member district system have presidential executives, while those with prime ministers rely on proportional representation. 
B) Countries that use a single-member district system have prime ministers, while presidential systems rely on proportional representation. 
C) Semi-presidential systems rely on a mixed single-member district and proportional representation system. 
D) There is no correlation between type of executive and the kind of electoral system used to elect the legislature. 
E) Semi-presidential systems use proportional representation to elect both the president and the legislature. 
A) Countries that use a single-member district system have presidential executives, while those with prime ministers rely on proportional representation. 
B) Countries that use a single-member district system have prime ministers, while presidential systems rely on proportional representation. 
C) Semi-presidential systems rely on a mixed single-member district and proportional representation system. 
D) There is no correlation between type of executive and the kind of electoral system used to elect the legislature. 
E) Semi-presidential systems use proportional representation to elect both the president and the legislature.

Question 10

Why does civil society matter, and do you think it is in any way connected to the idea of the rule of law? How? Why?

Accepted Answer

Civil society matters for a multitude of

Question 11

A national vote initiated by the government on a particular policy issue is commonly known as:

Accepted Answer

A) a referendum. 
B) a plebiscite. 
C) an initiative. 
D) a voluntary ballot. 
E) a mass ballot. 
A) a referendum. 
B) a plebiscite. 
C) an initiative. 
D) a voluntary ballot. 
E) a mass ballot.

Question 12

The electoral system that tends to produce a large number of political parties is:

Accepted Answer

A) the single-member district system. 
B) proportional representation. 
C) the mixed electoral system. 
D) the single transferable vote. 
E) binomial proportional voting. 
A) the single-member district system. 
B) proportional representation. 
C) the mixed electoral system. 
D) the single transferable vote. 
E) binomial proportional voting.

Question 13

Which of the following accurately describes a component of a mixed electoral system?

Accepted Answer

A) Voters are allowed two votes, one for a candidate and one for a party. 
B) Voters are allowed two votes, one for a prime minister and the other for a legislative representative. 
C) Voters participate in a combination of proportional representation and multimember districts. 
D) Voters are allowed two votes, but both must go toward the same party (even if they are made for different candidates). 
E) The structure steers voters toward support of very small, independent parties. 
A) Voters are allowed two votes, one for a candidate and one for a party. 
B) Voters are allowed two votes, one for a prime minister and the other for a legislative representative. 
C) Voters participate in a combination of proportional representation and multimember districts. 
D) Voters are allowed two votes, but both must go toward the same party (even if they are made for different candidates). 
E) The structure steers voters toward support of very small, independent parties.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about semi-presidential systems is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) The president typically makes foreign policy and relies on the prime minister to implement it by representing the country internationally. 
B) Prominent semi-presidential systems typically place most of the power with the prime minister. 
C) The prime minister is typically the initiator of policy. 
D) Constitutional courts are often less powerful as a result of appointment by the president. 
E) Semi-presidential systems have gone out of favor and have decreased in number during the last two decades. 
A) The president typically makes foreign policy and relies on the prime minister to implement it by representing the country internationally. 
B) Prominent semi-presidential systems typically place most of the power with the prime minister. 
C) The prime minister is typically the initiator of policy. 
D) Constitutional courts are often less powerful as a result of appointment by the president. 
E) Semi-presidential systems have gone out of favor and have decreased in number during the last two decades.

Question 15

The idea of legal institutions to which everyone is subject is known as:

Accepted Answer

A) the reign of democracy. 
B) the rule of law. 
C) the authority of the governed. 
D) majority rule. 
E) authority of power. 
A) the reign of democracy. 
B) the rule of law. 
C) the authority of the governed. 
D) majority rule. 
E) authority of power.

Question 16

Which of the following is more likely to be a problem in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

A) a policy disagreement between the legislative and the executive that results from a very small party in the legislature holding up a law by denying it a majority vote 
B) a policy disagreement between the legislative and executive that restricts lawmaking for a long period, even if the executive has become unpopular with the electorate 
C) the weakening of the judiciary over time as a result of conflicts between presidential and legislative authority 
D) the growth of power in political parties as presidential candidates become more beholden to party loyalists 
E) unstable policymaking due to the indeterminate amount of time the president is in office 
A) a policy disagreement between the legislative and the executive that results from a very small party in the legislature holding up a law by denying it a majority vote 
B) a policy disagreement between the legislative and executive that restricts lawmaking for a long period, even if the executive has become unpopular with the electorate 
C) the weakening of the judiciary over time as a result of conflicts between presidential and legislative authority 
D) the growth of power in political parties as presidential candidates become more beholden to party loyalists 
E) unstable policymaking due to the indeterminate amount of time the president is in office

Question 17

A political scientist notes that in a particular voting district, an elected representative has formed an especially close bond with her constituents, and that during her past term she even voted against the will of her party in order to better support the popular will of the people in her district.This political scientist would most likely use this observed relationship to argue that:

Accepted Answer

A) mixed electoral systems are superior to single-member district systems. 
B) single-member district systems are superior to proportional representation systems. 
C) parliamentary systems are superior to presidential or semi-presidential systems. 
D) more referenda and initiatives are needed to allow for greater participation by voters in the policymaking process. 
E) proportional representation systems are superior to single-member district systems. 
A) mixed electoral systems are superior to single-member district systems. 
B) single-member district systems are superior to proportional representation systems. 
C) parliamentary systems are superior to presidential or semi-presidential systems. 
D) more referenda and initiatives are needed to allow for greater participation by voters in the policymaking process. 
E) proportional representation systems are superior to single-member district systems.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about legislative structures is accurate?

Accepted Answer

A) Upper houses of bicameral systems are almost always elected indirectly. 
B) In bicameral systems, lower houses typically amend or veto legislation originating in the upper house. 
C) Larger countries are more likely to have unicameral systems. 
D) The majority of liberal democracies have bicameral systems. 
E) In the evolution of bicameral systems, lower houses were usually retained as a check on upper houses. 
A) Upper houses of bicameral systems are almost always elected indirectly. 
B) In bicameral systems, lower houses typically amend or veto legislation originating in the upper house. 
C) Larger countries are more likely to have unicameral systems. 
D) The majority of liberal democracies have bicameral systems. 
E) In the evolution of bicameral systems, lower houses were usually retained as a check on upper houses.

Question 19

What is meant by the term liberal democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) a democratic system that values equality above all 
B) a democratic system that values personal freedom above all 
C) a democratic system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty 
D) a democratic system that promotes process, liberty, and minority rights 
E) a system with a high degree of income redistribution 
A) a democratic system that values equality above all 
B) a democratic system that values personal freedom above all 
C) a democratic system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty 
D) a democratic system that promotes process, liberty, and minority rights 
E) a system with a high degree of income redistribution

Question 20

The executive who symbolizes and represents the people is the:

Accepted Answer

A) head of state. 
B) head of government. 
C) ceremonial head. 
D) chief executive. 
E) head of authority. 
A) head of state. 
B) head of government. 
C) ceremonial head. 
D) chief executive. 
E) head of authority.

Which of the following statements about the relationships among democratization, modernization theory, and political elites is accurate?

Which of the following was an effect of the rapid development of many Asian countries in the 1970s on the study of democracy?

Bicameral systems can be traced back to different representation for:

In which of the following ways does a proportional representation (PR) system differ from a single-member district (SMD) system?

The origins of British democracy can be traced back to the:

Single-member district systems are:

What are the most important differences between a single-member district system and a proportional representation system? Which is more democratic? Which is more efficient? Which do you prefer, and why?

Which of the following statements about bicameralism is accurate?

Which of the following best describes the correlative relationship between the type of executive in a country and the type of electoral system used to elect the legislature?

Why does civil society matter, and do you think it is in any way connected to the idea of the rule of law? How? Why?

A national vote initiated by the government on a particular policy issue is commonly known as:

The electoral system that tends to produce a large number of political parties is:

Which of the following accurately describes a component of a mixed electoral system?

Which of the following statements about semi-presidential systems is accurate?

The idea of legal institutions to which everyone is subject is known as:

Which of the following is more likely to be a problem in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system?

Which of the following statements about legislative structures is accurate?

What is meant by the term liberal democracy?

The executive who symbolizes and represents the people is the:

Introduction

States

Nations and Society

Political Economy

Nondemocratic Regimes

Political Violence

Developed Democracies

Communism and Postcommunism

Developing Countries

Globalization and the Future of Comparative Politics

Filters

Exam 5: Democratic Regimes

Which of the following statements about the relationships among democratization, modernization theory, and political elites is accurate?

Which of the following was an effect of the rapid development of many Asian countries in the 1970s on the study of democracy?

Bicameral systems can be traced back to different representation for:

In which of the following ways does a proportional representation (PR) system differ from a single-member district (SMD) system?

The origins of British democracy can be traced back to the:

Single-member district systems are:

What are the most important differences between a single-member district system and a proportional representation system? Which is more democratic? Which is more efficient? Which do you prefer, and why?

Which of the following statements about bicameralism is accurate?

Which of the following best describes the correlative relationship between the type of executive in a country and the type of electoral system used to elect the legislature?

Why does civil society matter, and do you think it is in any way connected to the idea of the rule of law? How? Why?

A national vote initiated by the government on a particular policy issue is commonly known as:

The electoral system that tends to produce a large number of political parties is:

Which of the following accurately describes a component of a mixed electoral system?

Which of the following statements about semi-presidential systems is accurate?

The idea of legal institutions to which everyone is subject is known as:

Which of the following is more likely to be a problem in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system?

Which of the following statements about legislative structures is accurate?

What is meant by the term liberal democracy?

The executive who symbolizes and represents the people is the:

Introduction

States

Nations and Society

Political Economy

Nondemocratic Regimes

Political Violence

Developed Democracies

Communism and Postcommunism

Developing Countries

Globalization and the Future of Comparative Politics

Filters