Deck 7: Political Institutions II: Institutional Arrangements

Question 1

Mexico's PRI is an example of a political party that

A) is supported primarily by one social class.
B) was once a dominant party but no longer dominates Mexico's party system.
C) has always been dominated by one powerful leader.
D) is unwilling to participate in coalition governments.
E) continues to dominate its political system.

Answer 1

was once a dominant party but no longer dominates Mexico's party system.

Question 2

Which of the following appears to be a necessary condition for a democratic political system?

A) An elected legislature
B) Political parties
C) A limited mandate for the political leader(s)
D) An efficient bureaucracy
E) Elections in which one may choose among candidates

Answer 2

A limited mandate for the political leader(s)

Question 3

A key feature of a constitution is that it

A) is rarely modified.
B) limits the powers of the rulers.
C) is written with clarity.
D) specifies the role of political parties.
E) has a preamble.

Answer 3

limits the powers of the rulers.

Question 4

According to the discussion of Iraq that opens Chapter 7, which of these has not been a significant problem in establishing democracy?

A) The government lacks credibility with many citizens.
B) The government has not been effective in implementing policy.
C) There is no written constitution.
D) There is extensive intergroup violence.
E) The main government factions do not trust one another.

Question 5

A state in which severe restrictions are placed on the activities of individuals and groups desiring to influence the allocation of values by the political system is best characterized as

A) democratic.
B) constitutional.
C) authoritarian.
D) dictatorial.
E) nonconstitutional.

Question 6

What characterizes an illiberal democracy?

A) There are periodic elections.
B) The political leaders are indifferent to the needs of the people.
C) Political rights are substantially limited.
D) A and C but not B
E) A, B and C

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a good reason to form a federation?

A) The desire for decisive exercise of governmental power
B) The need to create national unity
C) The desire to prevent an overconcentration of power
D) The need to govern a very large state
E) The prior existence of strong states

Question 8

The European Union (EU) is an example of a

A) nongovernmental organization.
B) confederation.
C) unitary state.
D) multinational state.
E) federation.

Question 9

The crucial feature of presidential government is

A) the fusion of executive and judicial power.
B) legislative control of the budget.
C) constitutional limits on executive power.
D) the separation of executive and legislative power.
E) a two-party system.

Question 10

The current political system in France may be characterized as a(n)

A) hybrid.
B) council system.
C) assembly system.
D) presidential system.
E) parliamentary system.

Question 11

In a council system of government,

A) each region elects its own representative.
B) a small number of individuals share executive and legislative power.
C) there is a bicameral legislature.
D) the chief executive is appointed.
E) legislators are elected by proportional representation.

Question 12

In theory, most communist states are

A) assembly systems.
B) cabinet systems.
C) presidential systems.
D) hybrids.
E) parliamentary systems.

Question 13

A dictatorship is distinguished by

A) an all-powerful leader.
B) state control of the major means of production.
C) a corrupt bureaucracy.
D) the absence of opposition political parties.
E) the absence of a limited mandate for the government.

Question 14

The defining feature of participatory democracy is

A) that citizens often vote on policy choices.
B) direct involvement of the citizens in the enactment of policy.
C) that citizens are encouraged to participate actively in policy discussions.
D) that virtually all citizens vote in elections.
E) that most citizens are active members of interest groups.

Question 15

A republic is another term for

A) a constitutional monarchy.
B) a system with shared power between a central government and subnational governments.
C) a representative democracy.
D) a system where citizens' rights are protected.
E) an illiberal democracy.

Question 16

A potential strength of a confederation is

A) decisive authority.
B) elimination of stalemates between center and periphery.
C) that it facilitates cooperation among member states.
D) its balance between executive and legislative branches.
E) it insures active debate on policy choices.

Question 17

A basic problem with many multiparty systems is that

A) party positions are unclear.
B) it can be difficult to create a governing legislative majority.
C) voters often shift from one party to another.
D) A, B and C
E) None of the above

Question 18

In Compare in 7, the political party system of South Africa at the national level is an example of a

A) distinct two-party system.
B) working multiparty system.
C) dominant-party system.
D) one-party system.
E) two plus party system

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential problem with a two-party system?

A) It is very difficult for non-incumbents to be elected.
B) Party positions are not responsive to changes in public opinion.
C) Voters lack a sufficient array of alternatives.
D) Voters rarely shift from one party to another.
E) The parties will alternate in power.

Question 20

A liberal democracy is distinguished from a simple democracy by

A) a more limited level of government regulation.
B) a stronger pattern of civil liberties exercised by the citizens.
C) more parties competing in the electoral process.
D) a more extensive level of welfare services.
E) more frequent elections.

Question 21

While plurality systems tend to be used in countries with ----------, a system of proportional representation tends to be used with -------------.

A) single-member districts, multi-member districts
B) multi-member districts, single-member districts
C) preferential voting, approval voting
D) greater democracy, greater authoritarianism
E) strong regional governments, weak regional governments.

Question 22

Contrast the defining characteristics of democracy with those of dictatorships, giving examples. In addition, discuss whether "dictatorship" is synonymous with "nondemocracy".

Question 23

Specify the key features of each of the three major types of political systems that are distinguished by different areal distributions of power. What are the best reasons that a particular country might select each type, based on characteristics of countries that you identify?

Question 24

Compare the presidential, parliamentary and hybrid forms of executive-legislative relations. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

Question 25

Analyze the conditions that might be most important for the effective functioning of each of the major types of political party systems. In particular, specify what characteristics (e.g., geographic, social, economic, ideological, and so on) of a country and its political system might be associated most positively with each form of party system, and why?