Political Systems: Structures, Functions, and Impact

Question 1

Which of the following is a common characteristic of totalitarian regimes?

Accepted Answer

A strict control over the media

Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

An independent judiciary

Answer

Limited government intervention in the economy

Question 2

The Westminster system is notable for having a:

Accepted Answer

Weak executive and a strong parliament

Answer

Strong executive and a weak parliament

Answer

Direct democracy

Answer

Presidential system

Question 3

The term 'power resources' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Tangible and intangible assets that can be used to influence others

Answer

The authority granted to government by citizens

Answer

The legitimacy of a political system

Answer

The ability to control the means of production

Question 4

What is NOT a defining characteristic of a totalitarian political system?

Accepted Answer

Protection of economic liberties

Answer

Concentration of power in a single leader or party

Answer

Severe restrictions on political participation

Answer

Suppression of dissent

Question 5

Which type of political system emphasizes citizen participation and consensus-based decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Democracy

Answer

Oligarchy

Answer

Authoritarianism

Answer

Monarchy

Question 6

Which of the following is a key aspect of the distribution of power in political systems?

Accepted Answer

Power relationships

Answer

Political authority

Answer

Legitimacy

Answer

Sovereignty

Question 7

Which statement accurately describes the nature of political systems?

Accepted Answer

They are constantly evolving and adapting

Answer

They remain fixed and unchanging over time

Answer

They exist exclusively in contemporary societies

Answer

They are immune to external influences

Question 8

A defining characteristic of the United Kingdom's political system is:

Accepted Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Answer

Presidential system

Answer

Direct democracy

Answer

Unitary state

Question 9

Identify a key characteristic of a totalitarian political system.

Accepted Answer

Power concentrated in a single party or individual

Answer

Regular, free, and fair elections

Answer

Limited government interference in the economy

Answer

Protection of individual rights and freedoms

Question 10

In which type of country is the Westminster model of parliamentary government typically found?

Accepted Answer

Former British colonies

Answer

Countries with a written constitution

Answer

Countries with a directly-elected president

Answer

Countries using a proportional representation electoral system

Question 11

Define 'political culture' by selecting the correct option.

Accepted Answer

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

Answer

The formal structures and institutions of government

Answer

The economic and social conditions of a society

Answer

The distribution of power and resources within a society

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a 'consociational democracy'?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland

Answer

United States

Answer

China

Answer

United Kingdom

Question 13

'Legitimacy' in politics refers to:

Accepted Answer

The perception of political authority as rightful and just

Answer

The government's capacity to enforce its laws

Answer

The level of citizen participation in politics

Answer

The degree of trust citizens have in their leaders

Question 14

Identify the primary distinction between a federal and a unitary state.

Accepted Answer

Distribution of power between central and regional authorities

Answer

Role of the judiciary in interpreting laws

Answer

Method of electing the head of government

Answer

Level of citizen involvement in decision-making

Question 15

Define 'power' in the context of politics.

Accepted Answer

The ability to exert control or influence over others

Answer

Possession of resources that can be leveraged to achieve objectives

Answer

Authority to create and enforce laws

Answer

Impact of ideas and beliefs on political outcomes

Question 16

Define 'social stratification' in a societal context.

Accepted Answer

Division of society into hierarchical levels based on social status

Answer

Distribution of wealth and income within a society

Answer

Extent of mobility between social classes

Answer

Relationship between social class and political influence

Question 17

Identify which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a democratic political system:

Accepted Answer

Absolute monarchy where power is concentrated in one individual

Answer

Rule of law that ensures equal treatment under the law

Answer

Majority rule that respects the will of the majority

Answer

Minority protection that safeguards the rights of minority groups

Question 18

Identify the political system characterized by a single dominant party that exerts control over all aspects of government:

Accepted Answer

One-party state where a single party holds exclusive power and suppresses dissent

Answer

Constitutional monarchy with a limited monarch and a powerful parliament

Answer

Parliamentary democracy where multiple parties compete for political power

Answer

Presidential republic featuring an elected president as head of state and government

Question 19

Which of the following are potential sources of legitimacy for a political system:

Accepted Answer

All of the above sources can contribute to a system's legitimacy

Answer

Historical tradition that has been passed down through generations

Answer

Exceptional charisma of a leader who inspires widespread admiration

Answer

Rational-legal authority based on a widely accepted constitution or legal framework

Question 20

Which of these is **not** a core component of a political system?

Accepted Answer

An economic system

Answer

A governing body

Answer

Citizen participation

Answer

A defined territory

Question 21

Which of the following is NOT a key characteristic of a political system, as defined in this unit?

Accepted Answer

Individual personalities

Answer

Structures

Answer

Functions

Answer

Distribution of power

Question 22

The historical development of political systems can be analysed using which theoretical approach?

Accepted Answer

Historical institutionalism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Sociological determinism

Answer

Psychoanalysis

Question 23

In a unitary state, power is best described as:

Accepted Answer

Centralised in the hands of a single, unified government

Answer

Decentralised to regional bodies with substantial autonomy

Answer

Shared equally between national and local levels of government

Answer

Vested solely in the judiciary

Question 24

The concept of 'legitimacy' in the context of political systems primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

The perceived right or authorisation to exercise political power

Answer

The lawful exercise of power in accordance with established norms and procedures

Answer

The explicit consent of the governed citizens

Answer

The effectiveness of government policies in achieving desired outcomes

Question 25

The concept of 'political culture' primarily refers to:

Accepted Answer

A set of shared values, beliefs, and attitudes about politics and governance

Answer

The formal political institutions, laws, and structures of a society

Answer

Individual political preferences, opinions, and voting behaviour

Answer

Historical events and experiences that influence political behaviour and institutions

Question 26

How does the dominant political ideology in a political system shape the policy decisions and resource allocation within that system?

Accepted Answer

It sets the principles and values that guide policy choices and resource distribution.

Answer

It has no impact on policy choices or resource allocation.

Answer

It only influences resource allocation, not policy choices.

Question 27

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of democracy?

Accepted Answer

Regular, competitive elections

Answer

Dominance of a single political party

Answer

Concentration of power in the hands of the military

Answer

Limited freedoms of speech and assembly

Question 28

In a parliamentary system, the government is:

Accepted Answer

Accountable to the legislature

Answer

More powerful than the legislature

Answer

Independent of the legislature and judiciary

Answer

Appointed by the monarch

Question 29

Which of the following is NOT a function of political parties in a democracy?

Accepted Answer

Suppressing political dissent

Answer

Formulating policies

Answer

Mobilizing voters

Answer

Recruiting political candidates

Question 30

A defining characteristic of totalitarianism is:

Accepted Answer

Suppression of political opposition and control of information

Answer

Limited government intervention in the economy

Answer

Protection of individual rights and freedoms

Question 31

Which of the following is a common criticism of the Westminster model of parliamentary government?

Accepted Answer

It can lead to excessive power being concentrated in the hands of the Prime Minister

Answer

It encourages voter apathy

Answer

It is too inefficient

Question 32

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

Accepted Answer

Head of state

Answer

Leader of the legislature

Answer

Chief of the judiciary

Answer

Leader of the opposition

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of a federal state?

Accepted Answer

United States

Answer

France

Answer

United Kingdom

Answer

China

Question 34

The political ideology of socialism emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

Social and economic equality

Answer

Absolute obedience to authority

Answer

Individual rights and freedoms

Answer

State control of the economy

Question 35

The concept of political legitimacy refers to:

Accepted Answer

The belief that a government has the right to rule

Answer

The ability of a government to enforce its laws

Answer

The popularity of a government among its citizens

Answer

The efficiency of a government

Question 36

Which of the following is a definitive characteristic of a totalitarian political system?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of dissent and concentration of power in a single authority

Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

Limited government intervention in the economy

Answer

Protection of individual rights and freedoms

Question 37

Which of the following is a primary responsibility of the executive branch of government?

Accepted Answer

Enforcing laws and implementing policies

Answer

Making laws

Answer

Interpreting laws

Answer

Ratifying treaties

Question 38

Which of the following is considered an advantage of a two-party political system?

Accepted Answer

Clear ideological choices presented to voters

Answer

Reduced voter turnout

Answer

Increased political stability

Answer

Greater representation of minority viewpoints

Question 39

Which of the following is a common challenge encountered in multi-party political systems?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty in forming stable coalitions among diverse parties

Answer

Lack of clear policy choices for voters

Answer

Reduced accountability of political leaders

Answer

Dominance of one or two major parties

Question 40

Which of the following factors is most likely to contribute to political instability within a country?

Accepted Answer

Significant economic inequality and widespread social unrest

Answer

Strong military presence

Answer

High levels of education among the population

Answer

Free and fair elections

Question 41

Which of the following is a characteristic of a federal political system?

Accepted Answer

Power is divided between a central government and regional governments

Answer

Central government holds absolute authority, with limited local autonomy

Answer

Regional governments possess complete independence

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential benefit of globalization for political systems?

Accepted Answer

Increased opportunities for cross-border cooperation and dialogue

Answer

Reduced national sovereignty

Answer

Increased political polarization

Answer

Erosion of traditional values

Question 43

Which of the following is a feature of a unitary political system?

Accepted Answer

Centralized decision-making and administration

Answer

High degree of local autonomy

Answer

Power is shared between central and regional governments

Question 44

Which of the following is a fundamental aspect of the rule of law in a political system?

Accepted Answer

Equal treatment before the law for all citizens

Answer

Absence of judicial review

Answer

Discretionary enforcement of laws

Answer

Supremacy of the executive branch of government