Question 1

If the United States were to adopt a proportional representation system, how would this change American politics? What sort of parties might form? Do you think this system would be superior to the current one?

Accepted Answer

The answer of If the United States were to adopt...

Question 2

Some describe the German electoral system as the best of SMDP and PR. Why might this be so?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Some describe the German electoral system as...

Question 3

Ireland's single-transferable vote electoral system is a variant of proportional representation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

Germany's voting system is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  two-ballot plurality. 
B)  single transferable vote. 
C)  personalized proportional representation. 
D)  open-list proportional representation. 
E)  alternative vote.

Question 5

A "grand coalition" of the two largest parties governed which country from 2005-2009?

Accepted Answer

A)  Germany 
B)  Poland 
C)  Great Britain 
D)  France 
E)  Sweden

Question 6

Why might a SMDP system produce a "skewed" distribution of parliamentary seats that does not correspond with the overall percentage of votes? Be able to provide an example using hypothetical numbers.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why might a SMDP system produce a...

Question 7

Two-ballot plurality voting is unique to

Accepted Answer

A)  France. 
B)  Ireland. 
C)  Turkey. 
D)  Greece. 
E)  Germany.

Question 8

Single-member district plurality voting

Accepted Answer

A)  ensures geographic representation. 
B)  produces more than two parties. 
C)  tends to produce coalition governments. 
D)  works against large, moderate parties. 
E)  relies on party lists.

Question 9

Under bicameralism

Accepted Answer

A)  two houses of parliament have equal power. 
B)  both houses of parliament must agree on the prime minister. 
C)  one house of parliament is unelected and one is elected. 
D)  one house of parliament may be weaker than the other one. 
E)  there is a president and a prime minister.

Question 10

Bicameralism is common in federal states and those with sizeable minority groups.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

All of the following are critiques of proportional representation EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  it can make governance more difficult. 
B)  there is weaker geographic representation. 
C)  outcomes may not reflect voter preferences. 
D)  it allows extremist parties to win seats in parliament. 
E)  it may give too much influence to small parties.

Question 12

Germany is an example of consensus system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The higher the electoral threshold in a proportional representation system, the more parties one will have in parliament.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Proportional representation tends to produce a two-party system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

The 2010 elections in Great Britain were interesting because

Accepted Answer

A)  they were the first ones conducted under a proportional representation system. 
B)  they were the first ones conducted under an alternative vote system. 
C)  they upended the traditional majoritarian system of British government. 
D)  the ruling party won for a record fourth time in a row. 
E)  the party with the most votes ended up with fewer seats than the second-place party.

Question 16

Single-member district plurality voting can be found in

Accepted Answer

A)  Germany. 
B)  Great Britain. 
C)  Spain. 
D)  Italy. 
E)  Turkey.

Question 17

Coalition governments are often found in which country?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States 
B)  Great Britain 
C)  Greece 
D)  Germany 
E)  None of the above

Question 18

National parliaments, more than European-level institutions, tend to be interested in

Accepted Answer

A)  monetary policy. 
B)  supranationalism. 
C)  subsidiarity. 
D)  deparliamentization. 
E)  budget austerity.

Question 19

We often hear "every vote counts." The textbook, however, suggests that under certain conditions, votes may be "wasted." What does the author mean by "wasted votes," and what type of electoral system produces them?

Accepted Answer

The answer of We often hear "every vote counts." The...

Question 20

Data suggest that

Accepted Answer

A)  voter turnout is higher in proportional representation (PR) systems. 
B)  women and minorities are more likely to be elected in single-member district plurality (SMDP) systems. 
C)  countries that use PR fare worse economically than those that use SMDP. 
D)  there is no difference in turnout between PR and SMDP systems. 
E)  PR produces majoritarian systems.

Exam 5: Executive Authority in Europe

If the United States were to adopt a proportional representation system, how would this change American politics? What sort of parties might form? Do you think this system would be superior to the current one?

Some describe the German electoral system as the best of SMDP and PR. Why might this be so?

Ireland's single-transferable vote electoral system is a variant of proportional representation.

Germany's voting system is known as

A "grand coalition" of the two largest parties governed which country from 2005-2009?

Why might a SMDP system produce a "skewed" distribution of parliamentary seats that does not correspond with the overall percentage of votes? Be able to provide an example using hypothetical numbers.

Two-ballot plurality voting is unique to

Single-member district plurality voting

Under bicameralism

Bicameralism is common in federal states and those with sizeable minority groups.

All of the following are critiques of proportional representation EXCEPT

Germany is an example of consensus system.

The higher the electoral threshold in a proportional representation system, the more parties one will have in parliament.

Proportional representation tends to produce a two-party system.

The 2010 elections in Great Britain were interesting because

Single-member district plurality voting can be found in

Coalition governments are often found in which country?

National parliaments, more than European-level institutions, tend to be interested in

We often hear "every vote counts." The textbook, however, suggests that under certain conditions, votes may be "wasted." What does the author mean by "wasted votes," and what type of electoral system produces them?

Data suggest that