Political Systems: Types, Characteristics, and Comparisons

Question 1

Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of a democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Limited government authority

Answer

Rule by a single political party

Answer

Suppression of opposing views

Answer

Absence of elections

Question 2

Which political ideology emphasizes individual autonomy, free markets, and minimal state intervention?

Accepted Answer

Liberalism

Answer

Authoritarianism

Answer

Totalitarianism

Answer

Conservatism

Question 3

Which of the following is generally considered an advantage of an authoritarian political system?

Accepted Answer

Stability

Answer

Improved economic conditions

Answer

Protection of individual freedom

Answer

Promotion of social equality

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a key principle of liberalism?

Accepted Answer

Strong emphasis on collective ownership of the means of production

Answer

Importance of individual rights and freedoms

Answer

Limited government intervention in the economy

Answer

Equality of opportunity for all citizens

Question 5

What is a crucial distinction between direct and indirect democracy?

Accepted Answer

In a direct democracy, citizens directly vote on laws, while in an indirect democracy, they elect representatives to do so.

Answer

Indirect democracies provide citizens with more power than direct democracies.

Answer

Direct democracies involve more frequent elections than indirect democracies.

Answer

There is no significant difference between direct and indirect democracies.

Question 6

Which of the following is a characteristic of a non-democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group

Answer

Rule of law

Answer

Free and fair elections

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a key advantage of democracy?

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality

Answer

Popular sovereignty

Answer

Protection of individual rights

Answer

Peaceful transfer of power

Question 8

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Regular competitive elections

Answer

Rule by an absolute monarch

Answer

Suppression of political dissent

Answer

Limited freedom of association

Question 9

Which type of political system is characterized by absolute control by a single individual or party, with no tolerance for dissent?

Accepted Answer

Totalitarianism

Answer

Democracy

Answer

Authoritarianism

Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT a potential advantage claimed by proponents of a totalitarian political system?

Accepted Answer

Protection of individual liberties

Answer

Enhanced economic productivity

Answer

Maintenance of social order

Answer

Strong national security

Question 11

What is the primary distinction between a unitary and a federal political system?

Accepted Answer

The extent of power delegated to regional authorities

Answer

The role of the judicial branch

Answer

The form of government

Answer

The electoral system used

Question 12

Which type of political system emphasizes tradition and religion?

Accepted Answer

Theocracy

Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Answer

Republic

Answer

Dictatorship

Question 13

A criticism of the concept of 'separation of powers' is that it:

Accepted Answer

Can result in gridlock and inefficiency

Answer

Can diminish the executive's authority

Answer

Is impractical in real-world political systems

Answer

Is only applicable to democratic societies

Question 14

A key characteristic of a federal political system is:

Accepted Answer

Power is shared between a central government and regional governments

Answer

Power is centralized in a single, unitary government

Answer

National and local governments are indistinguishable

Answer

The constitution is not considered the supreme law of the land

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental principle of a democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Absolute authority vested in a single leader

Answer

Regular and fair elections

Answer

Rule of law

Question 16

Totalitarian political systems are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Extensive government control over all aspects of society, including political, economic, and cultural spheres.

Answer

Strong civil liberties and protection of individual rights

Answer

Independent judiciary and limited government intervention in the economy

Question 17

Which of the following is considered an advantage of democratic political systems?

Accepted Answer

Accountability of the government to its citizens through regular elections and public scrutiny.

Answer

Swift and decisive decision-making without public deliberation

Answer

Guaranteed national unity and conformity

Answer

Economic prosperity and stability assured by government control

Question 18

A political system in which power is concentrated in the hands of a small, privileged elite is known as:

Accepted Answer

Oligarchy

Answer

Technocracy

Answer

Monarchy

Answer

Plutocracy

Question 19

Which of the following factors is least likely to influence the stability of a political system?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Quality of leadership and governance

Answer

Political culture and societal values

Answer

Economic development and prosperity

Question 20

A common criticism of the democratic process is its susceptibility to:

Accepted Answer

Populist appeals and demagoguery, which can manipulate public opinion and undermine rational decision-making.

Answer

Lack of expertise among elected officials

Answer

Excessive bureaucracy and administrative hurdles

Answer

Slow and inefficient decision-making due to the need for consensus

Question 21

In a presidential system of government, the head of state typically also serves as the:

Accepted Answer

Head of government

Answer

Speaker of parliament

Answer

Leader of the legislature

Answer

Chief justice of the supreme court

Question 22

A fundamental principle of constitutionalism is:

Accepted Answer

The limitation of government power through a constitution that defines and restricts the authority of the state.

Answer

The establishment of a free market economy with minimal government intervention

Answer

The recognition of popular sovereignty as the ultimate source of political legitimacy

Answer

The principle of majority rule as the sole basis for political decision-making

Question 23

A political system in which religious leaders exercise significant political authority is known as:

Accepted Answer

Theocracy

Answer

Technocracy

Answer

Oligarchy

Answer

Autocracy