Democratization and Political Change
Exam Materials
Course Introduction
This course examines the processes and dynamics of democratization and political change across diverse global contexts. Students will explore the historical development, theoretical frameworks, and practical mechanisms behind transitions to democracy, the consolidation of democratic institutions, and the challenges faced by emerging and established democracies. Topics include the role of civil society, political culture, economic development, international influences, and the impact of social movements and technology. Through case studies and comparative analysis, the course enables students to critically analyze the successes, setbacks, and complexities associated with democratization and political transformation.
Recommended Textbook
Introduction to Comparative Politics 6th Edition by Mark Kesselman\
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14 Chapters
965 Verified Questions
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Page 2
Chapter 1: Introducing Comparative Politics
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Sample Questions
Q1) Classifying states according to their level of democracy is an example of a A) typology.
B) causal theory.
C) model.
D) levels of analysis.
E) hypothesis.
Answer: A
Q2) Which of the following statements about the Human Development Index is CORRECT?
A) It is compiled by the World Bank.
B) It includes measures for sustainable development.
C) It is used to measure and compare levels of achievement in health, knowledge, and the standard of living.
D) In 2010, the countries with the highest HDI rankings were the United States, New Zealand, and Norway.
E) It assesses the level of interaction between people in a political system.
Answer: C
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Chapter 2: Britain
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Sample Questions
Q1) All of the following are true of Great Britain's constitution EXCEPT that it
A) is not a single, formal written document.
B) sets up a dual executive with the powers equally shared between the prime minister and the monarchy.
C) is a combination of state law, common law, convention, and authoritative interpretation.
D) dates back to the seventeenth century.
E) All of these are true of Great Britain's constitution.
Answer: B
Q2) All of the following are elements of the Coalition Government's economic policy EXCEPT
A) cuts in government subsidies for public housing.
B) increases in the retirement age.
C) decreased training and social investment, especially for youth.
D) a general 20 percent cut in public spending.
E) a reduction in child benefits for middle-class families.
Answer: C
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Page 4
Chapter 3: France
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is a major difference in the law-making process used in France and that used in the United States?
A) In both countries, most bills are introduced by the executive; therefore there is no major difference.
B) In the United States, after a bill is introduced, it is reviewed by legislative committees; no such process exists in France.
C) In both countries, bills must be passed in identical forms by both chambers of the legislature; therefore, there is no difference.
D) In France, a bill must be scrutinized by the State Council to determine its impact on subnational governments; such a process does not exist in the United States.
E) In France, it is possible that a bill, once passed, can be submitted to the Constitutional Council for judicial review; such a process is not possible in the United States.
Answer: E
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Chapter 4: Germany
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Sample Questions
Q1) Assess the statement that the move towards a five-party system has disrupted the way German political parties traditionally go about their business.
Q2) The Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) was founded in A) 1945.
B) 1946.
C) 1947.
D) 1948.
E) 1949.
Q3) The Free Democratic Party is a
A) far-left party with an emphasis on increased welfare and social spending.
B) far-right party that opposes all immigration.
C) coalition of parties that oppose European integration.
D) pro-market, right-of-center party.
E) centrist party that combines economic liberalism and social liberalism.
Q4) How many Lander comprise the Federal Republic of Germany?
A) 10
B) 13
C) 16
D) 19
E) 23
Page 6
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Chapter 5: Japan
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements BEST describes the relationship between the government and the financial sector?
A) Banks and securities firms make huge donations to politicians who pass laws favorable to financial institutions.
B) The government has allowed weak institutions to fail but has worked to preserve the stronger ones.
C) There is no relationship between the government and the financial sector due to the laissez-faire nature of the Japanese economy.
D) The government has served as the lender of last resort allowing weak financial institutions to survive.
E) The government owns most of the major financial institutions.
Q2) The Japanese Diet exercises some level of power over the executive by
A) nominating the prime minister.
B) investigating matters of national interest.
C) requiring that cabinet minister answer questions posed by Diet members.
D) ratifying international treaties.
E) All of the above statements are true.
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Chapter 6: India
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is NOT true?
A) Although they are highly fragmented, labor unions have played a major role in Indian politics.
B) Social movements and organizations have flourished in India because there has never been any government effort to restrict their activities.
C) Organizations associated with the religious right sometimes form tactical alliances with left-wing organizations.
D) Most social movements have increasingly ceased to focus on poverty and class inequality.
E) Indians engage in protests wherein they hold executives hostage to press their demands.
Q2) Which fundamental contradiction is embedded in India's constitution?
A) Civil rights versus the need to protect order
B) Democratic governance versus authoritarian institutions
C) Presidents versus prime ministers
D) Parliamentary sovereignty versus judicial review
E) Religious freedom versus caste protection
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Chapter 7: The United States
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Most members of the House of Representatives and the Senate have a business occupational background.
B) Since women were enfranchised, both the House of Representatives and the Senate have become increasingly gender balanced.
C) The Senate has historically been more racially diverse than the House of Representatives.
D) Members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate have tended to be white male Protestants.
E) All of the above are true statements.
Q2) During the New Deal
A) the federal government established a national safety net including the Social Security program.
B) the presidency asserted dominance over the Congress in policy-making.
C) expanded the size of government.
D) introduced policies and programs that were significantly different from those that came before but which nevertheless reflected underlying American values.
E) All of the above statements are true.
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Chapter 8: Russia
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Sample Questions
Q1) How have center-periphery (national-regional) relations changed in post-communist Russia? What have been the political effects of this change? In light of this, can one argue that Russia is truly a federal system?
Q2) Soft authoritarianism refers to
A) a tightening of political controls combined with a loosening of economic controls. B) the re-emergence of the communist party as a political force in Russia.
C) Russia's increasingly militant actions in its near abroad.
D) a system of informal and formal mechanisms that assure the dominance of a ruling group despite the existence of some forms of political competition and opposition. E) the use of repressive political controls designed to limit opposition.
Q3) It may be argued that history has had a tremendous negative effect on Russia's political transition. Citing specific examples, illustrate how several historical factors have inhibited the development of democracy in Russia.
Q4) How have Russian leaders adapted their country's policies to their country's loss of superpower status? What have been the main policy directions Russia has taken to forge a new international role for itself?
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Page 10
Chapter 9: Brazil
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is TRUE?
A) Although the higher level courts, such as the Supreme Federal Tribunal and the Electoral Supreme Tribunal, have won praise for their independence, lower courts are generally seen as being corrupt and inefficient.
B) There are several separate court systems-one involving federal jurisdiction, another involving state jurisdiction and another maintained by the military.
C) In recent years, the judiciary has been accused of being unresponsive to social problems.
D) Since 2004, reforms have been introduced allowing the courts to build judicial review functions that were never established completely by the 1988 constitution.
E) All of the above are true statements.
Q2) Estimates are that the informal economy could account for ______________ of Brazil's GDP.
A) one-eighth
B) one-quarter
C) one-third
D) one-half
E) one-fifth
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Chapter 10: Mexico
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Sample Questions
Q1) In terms of its impact on the policy-making process, the sexenio
A) allows the president to introduce extensive changes upon coming to office.
B) makes innovation just as likely as discontinuity.
C) makes it possible to see tremendous policy shifts even during a period of party hegemony as was the case when the PRI was dominant.
D) provides the president with a group of middle and high level officials who share his general policy orientation and are motivated to follow his lead.
E) All of the above have an impact on the policy-making process.
Q2) Historically, Mexican citizens interacted with their government through
A) the personal and informal mechanisms of clientelism.
B) their membership in large-scale interest groups, which in turn competed with one another to influence government policy.
C) the formal mechanisms provided by the constitution, most notably elections.
D) direct contact with their governmental representatives, especially the deputy who represented their district.
E) highly organized political unrest and protest activity.
Q3) How might Mexico be a useful example for other countries moving from authoritarian rule towards democratic rule?
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Chapter 11: South Africa
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements are NOT true about municipal governments in South Africa?
A) They have taxation powers.
B) Most cities are governed by ANC-dominated administrations.
C) There has been a high voter turnout in local elections.
D) Citizens have shown themselves to be unhappy by the performance of municipal governments as indicated by protests about the delivery of services.
E) Although big cities draw the bulk of their revenue from local taxes, smaller municipalities are heavily dependent upon government grants.
Q2) The South African president is elected
A) directly by the people in a national election.
B) by The National Assembly.
C) by a body of electors similar to the American Electoral College.
D) by both chambers of the parliament.
E) by provincial governors.
Q3) How did generational change affect the policies of apartheid? Did such change substantially affect the fundamental aspects of apartheid?
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Chapter 12: Nigeria
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Sample Questions
Q1) Nigeria's four republics (periods of civilian rule) have seen different types of party systems. How did the parties of the First and Second Republics differ from those of the Third and Fourth? What do you see as different about the parties of the Fourth Republic, and what are their strengths and weaknesses compared to their predecessors? What bearing does this assessment have upon the democratization process in Nigeria?
Q2) Evidence that the judiciary is becoming more independent since the return to civilian rule can be illustrated by
A) a decision regarding electoral laws that contravened the wishes of the ruling party.
B) a decision against the governors of Nigerian states regarding the control of offshore gas reserves.
C) decisions that have overturned numerous gubernatorial and legislative election results.
D) a review of a presidential election.
E) All of the above is evidence that the judiciary is becoming more independent since the return to civilian rule.
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14
Chapter 13: Iran
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following statements about nuclear power and Iran is TRUE?
A) Despite pressures by the international community, Iran is likely to develop nuclear weapons in the near future.
B) The Obama Administration accepts Iran's right to enrich uranium so long as it guarantees that it does not do so to the point of producing nuclear weapons.
C) Iran's plans to develop nuclear power have been delayed because of U.S. pressure on Europe not to transfer such technology to Iran.
D) The United States and Israel developed a cyber-sabotage program to infect Iranian computers used to control the production of enriched uranium.
E) Iran has publicly expressed a desire to enhance its nuclear power programs as well as publicly renouncing any desire to build nuclear weapons.
Q2) The Resurgence Party was created in
A) 1979.
B) 1981.
C) 1975.
D) 1941.
E) 1970.
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Page 15
Chapter 14: China
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Sample Questions
Q1) In what ways have international forces influenced China's political development? In particular, what impact has China's role in the world of states had on the fall of the imperial system, the course of the Chinese Revolution, the radicalism of the Maoist era, and the transformation of post-Mao China?
Q2) All of the following help to explain the 2000 year durability of the Chinese imperial system EXCEPT
A) an effective national government.
B) the influence of Confucianism.
C) the structure of Chinese society.
D) extensive trade with Europe.
E) a merit-based bureaucracy.
Q3) Which of the following statements is TRUE?
A) Although China and the United States are about the same size, China's population is more than four times greater.
B) China has over 100 cities with a population of a million or more.
C) The majority of China's population lives in the countryside.
D) Most of the country's ethnic minorities live in the border regions.
E) All of the above statements are true.
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