Question 1

Which of the following statements about parliamentary systems is accurate?
A)It is more difficult to remove a head of state from power in a parliamentary system than in a presidential system.
B)Heads of state are usually directly elected by the people.
C)Political deadlocks are often overcome through new elections or the election of a new prime minister.
D)They combine the roles of head of state and head of government into a single figure.
E)They are typically more stable than presidential systems.

Accepted Answer

Political deadlocks are often overcome through new elections or the election of a new prime minister. This is a common feature and advantage of parliamentary systems. The other statements are inaccurate: A is false because it is easier to remove a head of government (prime minister) in a parliamentary system through a vote of no confidence; B is false because heads of state are usually ceremonial figures or appointed by the parliament; D is false because parliamentary systems have separate roles for head of state and head of government; and E is debatable as both parliamentary and presidential systems can be stable or unstable depending on various factors.

Question 2

Marjorie believes that private property and capitalism create inequality, but she also places a high value on individual political freedom. Her ideology is called:
A)liberalism.
B)anarchism.
C)fascism.
D)communism.
E)fundamentalism.

Accepted Answer

Anarchism emphasizes the elimination of hierarchies and the state, and advocates for direct democracy and communal ownership of resources. Marjorie's beliefs that private property and capitalism create inequality align with anarchist principles, while her emphasis on individual political freedom is also compatible with anarchism.

Question 3

Political scientists use which term to describe the norms and rules regarding individual freedoms and collective equality, the locus of power, and the use of that power?
A)legitimate authority
B)political regime
C)constitution
D)government
E)federal regime

Accepted Answer

Political regime refers to the system of norms and rules that dictate how power is wielded in a particular society or political entity. This includes things like individual freedoms, collective equality, and the use of power. In this sense, political regime is a more comprehensive term than others on the list, which are more specific to certain aspects of governance.

Question 4

Citizens' trust in government, their knowledge about politics, and their views about their ability to influence political outcomes are aspects of:
A)ethnic identification.
B)civil society.
C)legitimacy.
D)political culture.
E)national identity.

Accepted Answer

These aspects are all components of political culture, which refers to the shared beliefs, values, and attitudes that shape individuals' behavior and expectations regarding politics and government. Political culture can vary across different societies and can have significant implications for democratic governance.

Question 5

Which of the following describes electoral systems in which voters cast their ballots for a list of party candidates and the percentage of the votes a party receives in a district determines how many of that district's seats it wins?
A)single-member districts
B)vote of no confidence
C)plurality systems
D)first past the post
E)proportional representation

Accepted Answer

Proportional representation systems are based on the percentage of votes received, rather than winner-take-all or plurality systems. This means that parties receive a number of seats in proportion to the percentage of votes they receive.

Question 6

Which of the following units of government most often represents geographical subunits of the population in lawmaking?
A)the executive
B)the upper house of a bicameral legislature
C)the lower house of a bicameral legislature
D)the judiciary
E)the constitutional court

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following units of government...

Question 7

The apartheid regime in South Africa was an example of a(n) ________ regime, one that retains the basic structures of democracy but does not protect civil liberties.
A)totalitarian
B)liberal
C)illiberal
D)populist
E)theocratic

Accepted Answer

The apartheid regime in South Africa is an example of an illiberal regime, as it did not protect civil liberties. While it retained some structures of democracy, such as elections, its policies and practices suppressed the rights of many citizens based on their race. Totalitarianism involves complete government control over all aspects of life, liberal democracy protects civil liberties, populism is a style of political rhetoric, and theocracy is a form of government based on religious authority.

Question 8

Social democracy as a political ideology is a sort of hybrid of what two other ideologies?
A)anarchism and communism
B)liberalism and conservatism
C)communism and liberalism
D)liberalism and anarchism
E)liberalism and radicalism

Accepted Answer

Social democracy draws on both elements of liberalism, such as individual rights and freedoms, and elements of socialism, such as public ownership of certain industries and services, in order to promote greater equality and social justice. This combination is most similar to the blend of liberalism and communism seen in democratic socialism, but social democracy typically places a greater emphasis on working within existing democratic institutions and promoting gradual change.

Question 9

The symbol of the people, their formal representative both nationally and internationally that embodies and articulates the goals of the regime, is the:
A)head of state.
B)head of government.
C)ambassador.
D)legislature.
E)prime minister.

Accepted Answer

The head of state is the symbol of the people and the formal representative both nationally and internationally. They embody and articulate the goals of the regime, serve as a unifying figure for the country, and often perform ceremonial duties.

Therefore, the best choice is A)head of state.

Question 10

States that divide power between the central state and regional or local authorities are called:
A)unitary.
B)devolved.
C)weak.
D)federal.
E)democratic.

Accepted Answer

The term for states that divide power between the central state and regional or local authorities is federal. This system is also known as federalism, which is a core element of many democratic nations, such as the United States, Germany, and Australia. In a federal system, power is shared between the national government and local or state governments, and each level of government has its own separate powers and responsibilities. This helps to ensure that power is dispersed and that local issues and concerns can be addressed more appropriately at the regional or local level.

Question 11

Courts with the power to decide questions that do not arise from legal cases, sometimes even before legislation has been enacted, have the power of:
A)due process.
B)judicial review.
C)abstract review.
D)constitutional veto.
E)the head of state.

Accepted Answer

The power described in the question is that of abstract review, which allows courts to review the constitutionality of proposed or existing legislation without it being tied to a specific legal case. This is different from judicial review, which specifically allows courts to review and strike down laws that violate the Constitution, but only in the context of an actual legal case. Due process refers to the fair treatment of individuals in the legal system, while constitutional veto and the head of state are not relevant to the power described in the question.

Question 12

Which of the following statements about mixed electoral systems is accurate?
A)Candidates in SMDs are elected on the basis of a plurality.
B)Voters are allowed to vote in either an MMD or an SMD but not both.
C)Votes cast in MMDs are allocated on the basis of absolute majority.
D)Voters cast votes for party and prime minister.
E)Candidates in MMDs are chosen through plurality vote.

Accepted Answer

In mixed electoral systems, candidates in SMDs (single-member districts) are usually elected based on a plurality, where the candidate with the highest number of votes wins, regardless of whether they have received an absolute majority.

Option B is incorrect as voters can usually vote in both MMDs (multi-member districts) and SMDs in mixed electoral systems.

Option C is not accurate as votes cast in MMDs are usually allocated proportionally, not on the basis of absolute majority.

Option D is typically a feature of parliamentary systems, not specifically mixed electoral systems.

Option E may be true in some cases, but it is not a defining characteristic of mixed electoral systems.

Question 13

Organizations that maintain a monopoly of violence over a territory are called:
A)nations.
B)regimes.
C)governments.
D)states.
E)enforcement schemes.

Accepted Answer

The term “monopoly of violence” refers to the exclusive authority to use force within a specific geographic area. A state is a political entity that possesses sovereignty over a definite territory or geographical region, and thus has the power to maintain monopoly of violence. Therefore, the correct option is (D) states. Choice (A) nations is incorrect as it refers to a community of people with shared history, culture or language. Choice (B) regimes is incorrect as it refers to a form of government or a set of principles, whereas the term “monopoly of violence” pertains to the control of force. Choice (C) governments is incorrect as it is a more general term that can refer to any system or institution that manages the affairs of a state, and does not necessarily imply the exclusive power to use violence. Choice (E) enforcement schemes is incorrect as it is not a commonly used term in political science, and does not accurately convey the concept of “monopoly of violence”.

Question 14

Regimes featuring a strong official ideology that seeks to transform fundamental aspects of the state, society, and economy through force and popular mobilization are called:
A)authoritarian.
B)totalitarian.
C)illiberal.
D)populist.
E)praetorian.

Accepted Answer

Regimes featuring a strong official ideology that seeks to transform fundamental aspects of the state, society, and economy through force and popular mobilization are called totalitarian. Authoritarian regimes limit political pluralism and individual freedoms, illiberal regimes seek to limit or weaken liberal democratic institutions, populist regimes emphasize the power and rights of the common people against elites, and praetorian regimes emphasize the role of the military in government.

Question 15

Which of the following represents an argument for the superiority of the SMD electoral model over the PR model?
A)SMDs waste fewer votes.
B)SMDs allow for the expression of a wider range of political interests.
C)SMDs help voters connect more directly with their representatives.
D)SMDs allow parties with minority interests to gain representation.
E)SMDs are less likely to produce centrist legislative majorities.

Accepted Answer

SMDs have smaller districts, which allows for voters to have more direct contact with their representatives compared to PR models where representatives can come from larger regions.

Question 16

When an executive head of government is elected from within the legislature, we usually refer to the legislative-executive system as:
A)presidential.
B)authoritarian.
C)vote of no confidence.
D)semi-presidential.
E)parliamentary.

Accepted Answer

In a parliamentary system, the executive head (such as a prime minister) is elected from within the legislature, meaning the executive branch derives its legitimacy from and is accountable to the legislature.

Question 17

In which of the following ways do multimember districts differ from single-member districts?
A)Multimember districts are considered a less democratic method for electing leaders to office.
B)Individual candidates for office are more prominently featured on the ballot in multimember districts.
C)Multimember districts are more likely to grant small political parties seats in the legislature.
D)Multimember districts are less capable of removing a sitting head of state from power.
E)Multimember districts are less well-suited to proportional representation systems.

Accepted Answer

Multimember districts are more likely to grant small political parties seats in the legislature because they allow for greater representation of minority viewpoints. Single-member districts, on the other hand, tend to favor larger parties and make it more difficult for smaller parties to gain representation. The other options are either incorrect or not directly related to the key difference between single-member and multimember districts.

Question 18

The act of a local nonprofit organization trying to promote better schools for children is an example of which of the following?
A)clientelism
B)co-optation
C)civil society
D)patron-client relations
E)party systems

Accepted Answer

The act of a local nonprofit organization trying to promote better schools for children falls under the category of civil society. Civil society refers to the array of non-governmental and non-profit organizations, which promote political and social goals, typically aimed at improving the lives of people within a particular area or society. Local nonprofit organizations are an important component of civil society, as they play a significant role in advocating for social change and community development.

Question 19

Amnesty International and the International Red Cross are examples of:
A)intergovernmental organizations.
B)multinational corporations.
C)global government groups.
D)world trade organizations.
E)nongovernmental organizations.

Accepted Answer

Amnesty International and the International Red Cross are both nongovernmental organizations, meaning they are independent of any government and operate on a non-profit basis to advance a specific social or political cause.

Question 20

Which of the following statements about semi-presidential systems is accurate?
A)Primary executive authority resides with the prime minister.
B)It is strongly tied to the proportional representation electoral system.
C)It is more likely to occur in some of the oldest democratic regimes.
D)Presidents in this system are typically more powerful than the prime ministers.
E)Presidents in this system must be approved by the legislature.

Accepted Answer

In a semi-presidential system, the president often holds significant power, sometimes more than the prime minister, especially in foreign policy and defense.

Quiz 1: Introduction

Which of the following statements about parliamentary systems is accurate?

Marjorie believes that private property and capitalism create inequality, but she also places a high value on individual political freedom. Her ideology is called:

Political scientists use which term to describe the norms and rules regarding individual freedoms and collective equality, the locus of power, and the use of that power?

Citizens' trust in government, their knowledge about politics, and their views about their ability to influence political outcomes are aspects of:

Which of the following describes electoral systems in which voters cast their ballots for a list of party candidates and the percentage of the votes a party receives in a district determines how many of that district's seats it wins?

Which of the following units of government most often represents geographical subunits of the population in lawmaking?

The apartheid regime in South Africa was an example of a(n) ________ regime, one that retains the basic structures of democracy but does not protect civil liberties.

Social democracy as a political ideology is a sort of hybrid of what two other ideologies?

The symbol of the people, their formal representative both nationally and internationally that embodies and articulates the goals of the regime, is the:

States that divide power between the central state and regional or local authorities are called:

Courts with the power to decide questions that do not arise from legal cases, sometimes even before legislation has been enacted, have the power of:

Which of the following statements about mixed electoral systems is accurate?

Organizations that maintain a monopoly of violence over a territory are called:

Regimes featuring a strong official ideology that seeks to transform fundamental aspects of the state, society, and economy through force and popular mobilization are called:

Which of the following represents an argument for the superiority of the SMD electoral model over the PR model?

When an executive head of government is elected from within the legislature, we usually refer to the legislative-executive system as:

In which of the following ways do multimember districts differ from single-member districts?

The act of a local nonprofit organization trying to promote better schools for children is an example of which of the following?

Amnesty International and the International Red Cross are examples of:

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