Comparative Political Systems: Master Your Knowledge with Engaging Quizzes

Question 1

In a constitutional democracy, what is the main role of a constitutional court?

Accepted Answer

Review legislation for constitutionality

Answer

Appoint the head of state

Answer

Enforce criminal laws

Answer

Regulate the economy

Question 2

In a Westminster parliamentary system, which branches of government are fused?

Accepted Answer

Executive and legislative

Answer

Legislative and judicial

Answer

Executive and judicial

Answer

Legislative, executive, and judicial

Question 3

According to the 'median voter theorem':

Accepted Answer

Politicians will adopt policies that appeal to the preferences of the median voter

Answer

Policies will always reflect the preferences of the majority

Answer

Politicians will ignore the interests of minority groups

Answer

Voters will always support the policies of the ruling party

Question 4

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of authoritarian regimes?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of political opposition and dissent

Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

Respect for human rights

Answer

Transparency and accountability

Question 5

The process through which citizens participate in the political process is known as:

Accepted Answer

Political participation

Answer

Political socialization

Answer

Political efficacy

Answer

Political mobilization

Question 6

The concept of 'soft power' refers to:

Accepted Answer

Influence exerted through attraction and persuasion

Answer

Use of military force to achieve political objectives

Answer

Economic sanctions and trade embargoes

Answer

Diplomatic negotiations

Question 7

Which of the following is a defining attribute of a federal system of government?

Accepted Answer

Powers are decentralized among the central government and its constituent units.

Answer

All governing power rests with a single, centralized authority.

Answer

There is no distinction between local and national governments.

Answer

The constitution can be amended without the approval of the constituent units.

Question 8

Which type of political system is characterized by the dominance of a single party and the suppression of opposing viewpoints?

Accepted Answer

Authoritarian regime

Answer

Liberal democracy

Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Answer

Parliamentary republic

Question 9

Which electoral system tends to result in diverse legislatures with proportional representation of political parties?

Accepted Answer

Mixed-member proportional representation

Answer

Single-member plurality

Answer

Ranked-choice voting

Answer

Plurality-at-large

Question 10

A defining feature of direct democracy is that:

Accepted Answer

Citizens participate directly in decision-making through voting on laws and policies.

Answer

All political decisions are made by elected representatives.

Answer

Power is equally distributed among all citizens.

Answer

The judiciary holds ultimate authority in interpreting the constitution.

Question 11

Which factor is generally associated with greater political stability in a society?

Accepted Answer

Economic prosperity

Answer

High levels of social inequality

Answer

Authoritarian rule

Answer

Ethnic diversity

Question 12

A potential limitation of the comparative method in political science is its:

Accepted Answer

Assumption that political systems are inherently comparable

Answer

Overemphasis on historical and cultural context

Answer

Tendency to rely exclusively on qualitative data

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Inability to produce generalizable findings

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

Constitutional monarchy

Answer

Unitary state

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Presidentialism

Question 14

In a Westminster parliamentary system, the Prime Minister primarily serves as the:

Accepted Answer

Head of government

Answer

Head of state

Answer

Leader of the opposition

Answer

Speaker of the House

Question 15

In a federal system, the key feature is the:

Accepted Answer

Shared distribution of power between central and regional governments

Answer

Centralization of power

Answer

Autonomy of regional governments

Answer

Dominance of local authorities

Question 16

In a parliamentary system, the government is primarily responsible to:

Accepted Answer

The legislative body

Answer

The monarch

Answer

The head of state

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The judiciary

Question 17

A key distinction between a unitary and a federal state lies in the:

Accepted Answer

Distribution of powers

Answer

Level of regional autonomy

Answer

Size of the territory

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Ethnic composition of the population

Question 18

In a semi-presidential system, the:

Accepted Answer

President and Prime Minister share executive authority

Answer

President is the ceremonial head of state with limited powers

Answer

Prime Minister is the head of government with substantial executive authority

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President is directly elected by the people

Question 19

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of the Westminster parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

Fusion of powers between the executive and legislature

Answer

Strict separation of powers between the executive and legislature

Answer

Direct election of the head of government

Answer

Non-partisan nature of the civil service

Question 20

What is the term used to describe the UK Parliament's ability to enact and repeal laws without external legal constraints?

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty

Answer

Supremacy

Answer

Omnicompetence

Answer

Absolute power

Question 21

What is the primary role of the constitutional monarch in the UK political system?

Accepted Answer

To serve as a ceremonial figurehead

Answer

To exercise substantial executive power

Answer

To provide counsel and guidance to the government

Answer

To dissolve Parliament at their discretion

Question 22

What is the term used to describe a political system where power is distributed between a central authority and regional or local governments?

Accepted Answer

Federalism

Answer

Confederalism

Answer

Unitary state

Answer

Devolution

Question 23

A defining characteristic of authoritarian regimes is:

Accepted Answer

Restricted political participation

Answer

Upholding the rule of law and judicial independence

Answer

Conducting free and fair elections

Answer

Embracing a multi-party system

Question 24

In a federal system of government, power is allocated between:

Accepted Answer

Central and regional authorities

Answer

Local and state authorities

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Legislative and executive branches

Answer

Judicial and parliamentary bodies

Question 25

The concept of political culture encompasses:

Accepted Answer

Common values, beliefs, and attitudes towards politics

Answer

Political institutions and structures

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Political ideologies and party systems

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Economic and social conditions

Question 26

A defining feature of the British electoral system is:

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post electoral system

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Proportional representation system

Answer

Single transferable vote system

Answer

Ranked-choice voting system

Question 27

In a presidential system, the head of state and government is:

Accepted Answer

Elected directly by the electorate

Answer

Elected by the legislature

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Appointed by the judiciary

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Chosen by the political parties

Question 28

In presidential systems, the head of government is usually also the:

Accepted Answer

Head of state

Answer

Head of the legislature

Answer

Leader of the opposition

Answer

Chief justice of the supreme court

Question 29

"Political culture" refers to:

Accepted Answer

Values and beliefs that shape political behavior

Answer

Institutional arrangements of a political system

Answer

Patterns of political participation

Answer

Distribution of power within society

Question 30

A majoritarian electoral system is exemplified by:

Accepted Answer

First-past-the-post

Answer

Single transferable vote

Answer

Proportional representation

Answer

Ranked-choice voting

Question 31

"Legitimacy" in a political system refers to:

Accepted Answer

Belief in the government's right to rule

Answer

Level of popular support for the government

Answer

Degree of institutionalization of the political system

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Government's ability to maintain order

Question 32

In a parliamentary system, which characteristic applies?

Accepted Answer

The head of government is elected by the legislature.

Answer

The head of government is usually also the head of state.

Answer

The executive branch is superior to the legislative branch.

Answer

The judiciary is not independent of the other branches of government.

Question 33

'Legitimacy' in political systems refers to:

Accepted Answer

Belief in the rightfulness and justice of a political system

Answer

Use of force to maintain political order

Answer

Support of the population for a particular government

Answer

Economic resources available to a government

Question 34

Political power distribution within a society is known as:

Accepted Answer

Political stratification

Answer

Political economy

Answer

Political socialization

Answer

Political participation

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a parliamentary system?

Accepted Answer

Separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches

Answer

Fusion of powers between the executive and legislative branches

Answer

Collective ministerial responsibility

Answer

Prime Minister as the head of government

Question 36

Constitutional supremacy is the principle that:

Accepted Answer

The constitution is the supreme legal document of the land

Answer

The judiciary has the power to invalidate laws that violate the constitution

Answer

The government has the authority to alter the constitution without legal constraints

Answer

Constitutional amendments can only be made through complex and stringent procedures

Question 37

The concept of proportionality in electoral systems signifies:

Accepted Answer

Ensuring that parliamentary representation closely reflects the proportion of votes each party receives

Answer

Guaranteeing a minimum level of representation for minority groups

Answer

Creating single-member constituencies for electoral contests

Answer

Utilizing preferential voting methods to determine election outcomes

Question 38

Which of the following is a defining characteristic of corporatist systems?

Accepted Answer

Close collaboration and cooperation between the state and influential interest groups

Answer

Extensive state control over economic and social institutions

Answer

Strong trade unions and collective bargaining arrangements

Answer

Free market economies with limited government intervention

Question 39

The term 'veto player' most accurately refers to:

Accepted Answer

A political actor or institution with the power to block or prevent policy changes

Answer

A group of individuals or organizations with a shared policy agenda or goal

Answer

A constitutional mechanism designed to protect the rights of minority groups

Answer

An informal institution or norm that influences political behavior and outcomes

Question 40

The concept of 'democratic deficit' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The gap between citizens' expectations of democratic institutions and their perceived performance and responsiveness

Answer

The lack of accountability and transparency among political elites

Answer

The decline in political participation and civic engagement

Answer

The polarization of society along ideological or partisan lines