Comparative Politics: Explore Political Systems and Institutions Worldwide

Question 1

Which feature is characteristic of a mass party?

Accepted Answer

Wide voter appeal

Answer

Personalized leadership

Answer

Restricted membership

Answer

Ideological focus

Question 2

In comparative political research, what ethical considerations should researchers prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent and safeguarding participant well-being

Answer

Disregarding cultural sensitivity

Answer

Conducting research only in familiar countries

Question 3

**Question:**

How does political ideology influence the development and execution of public policies in different political systems?

Accepted Answer

**Option D:**

Political ideology significantly shapes government priorities and actions, guiding public policy design and implementation.

Answer

**Option A:**

Political ideology has little impact on public policy design and implementation.

Answer

**Option B:**

Political ideology's influence on public policy is consistent across all political systems.

Answer

**Option C:**

Political ideology affects public policy design but not implementation.

Question 4

In comparative politics research and fieldwork, which strategy is most effective for researchers to address potential biases and ethical concerns?

Accepted Answer

Conduct thorough literature reviews and engage with local communities to identify potential biases and develop strategies to address them.

Answer

Rely solely on quantitative data to minimize subjective interpretations and biases.

Answer

Prioritize researcher safety while considering the ethical concerns of research participants.

Answer

Avoid working with local researchers and rely only on secondary sources to minimize potential harm.

Question 5

In developing countries, how does economic inequality affect political stability and the process of democratization?

Accepted Answer

Economic inequality can lead to political instability by intensifying social grievances and fueling political polarization.

Answer

Economic inequality has a negligible impact on political stability in developing countries.

Answer

Economic inequality fosters social cohesion among the poor, thereby promoting political stability.

Question 6

In comparative political research conducted in developing countries, what ethical consideration should researchers prioritize?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent from all participants

Answer

Avoiding research in developing countries altogether

Answer

Protecting participant privacy, even if it means withholding information

Answer

Ignoring the potential impact of research on the communities being studied

Question 7

In comparative political research, respecting cultural differences is essential. Discuss the ethical obligations of researchers to minimize biases and protect participants' well-being.

Accepted Answer

Researchers must safeguard participants' privacy and confidentiality, handling sensitive data ethically.

Answer

Researchers should only study cultures similar to their own to avoid biases.

Answer

Researchers are not responsible for any discomfort or harm participants may experience if they follow research protocols.

Question 8

How do electoral systems affect the representation and participation of minority groups in politics?

Accepted Answer

By setting different thresholds for winning a seat, electoral systems can influence the number of minority group representatives elected.

Answer

Electoral systems have no significant impact on minority group representation in politics.

Answer

Electoral systems only affect the representation of majority groups in politics.

Answer

The impact of electoral systems on minority group representation is mainly determined by the size of the minority population.

Question 9

In cross-cultural political research, how can researchers strike a balance between respecting cultural differences and reducing potential biases in their work?

Accepted Answer

Researchers should engage in self-reflection and cultural sensitivity training to minimize biases.

Answer

Researchers should only work with informants from their own cultural background.

Answer

Researchers should use only standardized research tools to ensure consistency across cultures.

Answer

Researchers should limit interactions with participants from the host culture to avoid cultural misunderstandings.

Question 10

In a parliamentary system, the head of government is:

Accepted Answer

The prime minister

Answer

The monarch

Answer

The president

Answer

The chief justice

Question 11

The term 'political socialization' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values

Answer

The formal institutions and processes of government

Answer

The distribution of economic resources in a society

Answer

The level of political participation in a society

Question 12

According to dependency theory, economic underdevelopment is caused by:

Accepted Answer

Exploitation by developed countries

Answer

Lack of natural resources

Answer

Cultural factors

Answer

Political corruption

Question 13

In which type of political system is governmental authority concentrated in a centralized executive, typically led by a single leader?

Accepted Answer

Authoritarian regime

Answer

Democratic regime

Answer

Parliamentary system

Answer

Federal system

Question 14

Which term describes the connection between political institutions and the distribution of power within a society?

Accepted Answer

Political economy

Answer

Political culture

Answer

Political participation

Answer

Political ideology

Question 15

In a bicameral legislature, one chamber is typically elected based on what principle?

Accepted Answer

Geographic representation

Answer

Population size

Answer

Economic interests

Answer

Political party affiliation

Question 16

Which organization, operating outside of government structures, plays a significant role in global politics, often advocating for human rights and humanitarian causes?

Accepted Answer

Amnesty International

Answer

World Bank

Answer

United Nations

Answer

European Union

Question 17

Which process describes how individuals acquire political values, beliefs, and orientations?

Accepted Answer

Political socialization

Answer

Political participation

Answer

Political culture

Answer

Political ideology

Question 18

Which approach exemplifies the comparative method in political analysis?

Accepted Answer

Examining the similarities and differences between political systems in multiple countries

Answer

Analyzing the political dynamics of a single country in isolation

Answer

Studying historical political events without cross-country comparisons

Answer

Conducting large-scale surveys on public opinion without considering cultural contexts

Question 19

Which concept is central to the study of political culture?

Accepted Answer

The shared beliefs, values, and norms that shape political behavior

Answer

The role of political institutions in shaping individual political attitudes

Answer

The processes by which individuals acquire political knowledge and orientations

Answer

The influence of economic factors on political preferences

Question 20

Which of the following is **not** a key factor shaping political development from a comparative perspective?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Culture

Answer

History

Answer

Economic conditions

Question 21

In a comparative study of political systems, a pluralist system is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Multiple centers of power

Answer

Limited elite participation

Answer

Dominance of a single party

Answer

Minimal citizen participation

Question 22

The Westminster model of parliamentary democracy is based on the political system of which country?

Accepted Answer

United Kingdom

Answer

United States

Answer

France

Answer

Germany

Question 23

Which of the following is a key difference between a presidential and a parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

Chief executive is elected separately

Answer

Legislature is dominant

Answer

Judiciary has final authority

Answer

Constitutional supremacy

Question 24

In comparative politics, the concept of 'path dependence' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The influence of past events on future political outcomes

Answer

The tendency of political systems to remain stable over time

Answer

The role of institutions in shaping political behavior

Answer

The importance of culture in determining political systems

Question 25

Which characteristic is associated with a 'consociational democracy'?

Accepted Answer

Power-sharing between different ethnic or religious groups

Answer

A strong executive branch

Answer

A two-party system

Answer

A centralized government

Question 26

According to comparative political theory, which factor is crucial for determining the stability of a political system?

Accepted Answer

Political legitimacy

Answer

Economic development

Answer

Size of the population

Answer

Natural resources

Question 27

The Westminster model of parliamentary government is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A fusion of executive and legislative powers

Answer

A separate head of state and head of government

Answer

A strong role for the judiciary

Answer

Direct election of the prime minister

Question 28

The concept of 'institutional isomorphism' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Political institutions tend to become similar over time

Answer

Political systems are shaped by their economic and social environment

Answer

Globalization leads to the spread of democratic norms

Answer

Political elites control the evolution of political institutions

Question 29

A key difference between a unitary and a federal political system lies in:

Accepted Answer

Distribution of power between central and regional governments

Answer

Role of the judiciary

Answer

Electoral system

Answer

Size of the country

Question 30

Comparative politics aims to analyze:

Accepted Answer

Similarities and differences between political systems

Answer

Individual political systems in isolation

Answer

The impact of global events on domestic politics

Answer

The evolution of political ideologies

Question 31

The Westminster system is a parliamentary system of government primarily associated with:

Accepted Answer

United Kingdom

Answer

United States

Answer

France

Answer

Germany

Question 32

A key difference between a unitary and a federal political system lies in the:

Accepted Answer

Distribution of power between central and regional governments

Answer

Structure of the judiciary

Answer

Type of electoral system employed

Answer

Overall size of the country

Question 33

The welfare state model implemented in Scandinavian countries is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Universal access to social benefits

Answer

Benefits based on individual financial need

Answer

Privatization of welfare services

Answer

High levels of social inequality

Question 34

The concept of 'political culture' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Shared beliefs and values that influence political behavior

Answer

The formal institutions and structures of government

Answer

The level of economic development within a society

Answer

The dominant ideology of a political system

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences political development, as mentioned in the unit description?

Accepted Answer

Geography

Answer

Culture

Answer

History

Answer

Economic conditions

Question 36

The discipline that studies political systems and institutions across countries is known as:

Accepted Answer

Comparative politics

Answer

Political science

Answer

Sociology

Answer

Anthropology

Question 37

Which of the following is a characteristic commonly observed in authoritarian political systems?

Accepted Answer

Limited political participation

Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

Constitutional safeguards

Answer

Rule of law

Question 38

The theory that political institutions and practices are shaped by a society's historical and cultural context is known as:

Accepted Answer

Historical institutionalism

Answer

Political institutionalism

Answer

Cultural relativism

Answer

Social constructivism

Question 39

The study of how economic outcomes are influenced by political institutions and processes is termed:

Accepted Answer

Political economy

Answer

Comparative economics

Answer

Economic development

Answer

Public policy analysis

Question 40

A central concept in the theory of rational choice is:

Accepted Answer

Self-interest

Answer

Collective action

Answer

Institutional constraints

Answer

Historical context

Question 41

Which of the following **is not** a key factor that shapes political development according to this unit?

Accepted Answer

Climate

Answer

Culture

Answer

History

Answer

Economic conditions

Question 42

Comparative Politics involves examining and contrasting the political systems of different countries to identify similarities and differences.

Accepted Answer

True

Answer

False

Question 43

The term 'political culture' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Shared beliefs, values, and norms that influence political behaviour

Answer

The formal institutions and structures of government

Answer

Economic factors that shape political outcomes

Answer

Historical events that have shaped a nation's political system

Question 44

Which of the following is an example of a **federal** system?

Accepted Answer

United States

Answer

United Kingdom

Answer

China

Answer

Russia

Question 45

The process of comparing and contrasting political systems from different countries is known as:

Accepted Answer

Comparative analysis

Answer

Political science

Answer

Cross-national research

Answer

International relations

Question 46

According to the unit, which of the following is **not** a major debate in Comparative Politics?

Accepted Answer

The cultural superiority of Western political systems

Answer

The relationship between economic development and political stability

Answer

The impact of culture on political institutions

Answer

The role of international organizations in shaping domestic politics

Question 47

Which of the following is a strength of using case studies in Comparative Politics research?

Accepted Answer

In-depth analysis of specific cases

Answer

Generalizable findings

Answer

Statistical validity

Answer

Historical context

Question 48

The Westminster system of government is characterized by:

Accepted Answer

A dominant executive

Answer

A weak parliament

Answer

Power разделение

Answer

Direct election of the head of government

Question 49

The transition from authoritarian rule to democracy is termed:

Accepted Answer

Democratization

Answer

Liberalization

Answer

Modernization

Answer

Westernization

Question 50

The term 'political culture' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Values and beliefs influencing political behavior

Answer

Formal institutions of governance

Answer

Economic conditions of a nation

Answer

Educational attainment in a society

Question 51

The idea of 'path dependency' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Past political decisions can limit future choices

Answer

Political institutions are always evolving

Answer

There is no ideal political system

Answer

Culture has no bearing on political development

Question 52

In comparative politics research, what is the key difference between qualitative and quantitative methods?

Accepted Answer

Quantitative methods analyze numerical data, while qualitative methods focus on non-numerical data and in-depth understanding.

Answer

Qualitative methods are more subjective than quantitative methods.

Answer

Quantitative methods are always better than qualitative methods in comparative politics research.

Question 53

Which measure is most commonly implemented by authoritarian regimes immediately after taking power?

Accepted Answer

Repression and intimidation

Answer

Economic liberalization and deregulation

Answer

Constitutional reform and expansion of civil liberties

Answer

Negotiations with opposition groups and civil society organizations

Question 54

Which of the following is NOT a key factor shaping political development, as discussed in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Geography

Answer

Culture

Answer

Economic conditions

Question 55

Comparative politics emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Studying political systems of different countries and comparing them across dimensions

Answer

Analyzing the influence of culture on political outcomes

Answer

Identifying the best political institutions for all societies

Answer

Predicting political events in developing countries

Question 56

Which of the following is a key difference between proportional representation and first-past-the-post electoral systems?

Accepted Answer

Representation of minority parties

Answer

Size of the legislature

Question 57

In comparative democratization, how do international organizations primarily contribute to the development and consolidation of democratic institutions?

Accepted Answer

Offer technical expertise, financial assistance, and support for civil society

Answer

Enforce democratic compliance through sanctions or military intervention

Answer

Mandate political reforms and impose specific democratic models

Answer

Monitor elections and directly intervene in domestic political affairs

Question 58

How do electoral systems affect the representation of minority groups in politics?

Accepted Answer

The impact of electoral systems on minority group representation depends on the system's design and the political context.

Answer

Electoral systems have no impact on minority group representation.

Answer

Majoritarian systems, like first-past-the-post, ensure fair representation for all groups.

Answer

Proportional representation systems guarantee exact proportionality in minority group representation.

Question 59

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

Accepted Answer

Power distribution

Answer

Level of citizen participation

Answer

Political party system

Answer

Electoral system

Question 60

Which theory of comparative politics posits that political systems are primarily shaped by their level of economic development?

Accepted Answer

Modernization theory

Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Institutionalist theory

Answer

Rational choice theory

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a commonly used method in comparative political research?

Accepted Answer

Laboratory experiments

Answer

Comparative case studies

Answer

Statistical analysis

Answer

Historical analysis

Question 62

Which theory of comparative politics emphasizes the role of formal institutions in shaping political outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Formal institutionalism

Answer

Rational choice theory

Answer

Historical institutionalism

Answer

Cultural theory

Question 63

Which political system is characterized by a concentration of power in the hands of a single individual or group?

Accepted Answer

Autocracy

Answer

Plutocracy

Answer

Technocracy

Answer

Oligarchy

Question 64

In a presidential system, the head of government is typically the:

Accepted Answer

President

Answer

Chancellor

Answer

Prime Minister

Answer

Monarch