Government and Politics of Asia Study Guide Questions
Course Introduction
This course explores the dynamic landscape of government and politics across Asia, examining the diversity of political systems, institutions, and processes among key countries in the region. Students will analyze historical influences, state structures, party systems, governance challenges, and the role of civil society, all within the context of rapid economic development and social change. Special attention is given to the impact of colonial legacies, nationalism, political leadership, and regional organizations, as well as contemporary issues such as democratization, authoritarian resilience, ethnic conflict, and globalization. The course fosters a comparative perspective, enabling students to understand both the unique and shared political trajectories of Asian nations.
Recommended Textbook
Introduction to Comparative Politics 6th Edition by Mark Kesselman\
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Page 2
Chapter 1: Introducing Comparative Politics
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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) Authoritarian regimes are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT
A) power (or authority) is highly concentrated in a single individual, small group of people, single party, or institution.
B) they have a totalitarian system that seeks to control every aspect of their citizen's lives and allows no personal freedoms whatsoever.
C) those in power claim an exclusive right to govern and use various means, including force, to impose their will on their citizens.
D) they lack an effective procedure for selecting political leaders or holding them accountable.
E) All of these are characteristics of authoritarian regimes.
Answer: B
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Chapter 2: Britain
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Q1) The political institution that has greatest impact upon economic policy-making in the United Kingdom is the
A) British civil service.
B) House of Commons.
C) British monarch.
D) European Union.
E) British Prime Minister and cabinet.
Answer: D
Q2) The British judiciary is generally less influential than the U.S. judiciary due to A) less competent jurists.
B) a societal emphasis on compromise, resulting in a less litigious society.
C) undue influence from strong prime ministers.
D) the fact that they only meet three months out of the year.
E) a lack of power of judicial review.
Answer: E
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Chapter 3: France
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Q1) Which of the following was TRUE of the Vichy Regime?
A) It assisted the Allied Powers by assassinating German officials and carrying out sabotage missions in occupied France.
B) It was the only political regime in Western Europe not directly under Germany occupation to actively support the Nazi regime, sending 76,000 French and foreign Jews to German death and labor camps.
C) It developed a strong economy that became a model for postwar France.
D) It declared neutrality thereby avoiding the German occupation of France.
E) It was an independent country in northern France.
Answer: B
Q2) It is often said that the French semipresidentialist system combines both the advantages and disadvantages of presidentialism and parliamentarianism. First, describe the major features of the French system. Second, assess its relative strengths and weaknesses, paying particular attention to issues such as the balance of power (both within the executive and between the executive and legislature), representation, accountability and effectiveness. Finally, assess recent political reforms that affect this system and how these may impact on it.
Answer: Student answers may vary.
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Germany
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Q1) Which of the following is TRUE of the Lander?
A) Regional political parties are significantly different from national ones.
B) There is a strict separation of powers between the federal and Lander governments.
C) They have few powers and are not a significant force in policy-making.
D) They are required to share a portion of their revenues so Landers with stronger economies help to support those with weaker economies.
E) The number of Lander changes frequently as the federal government tries to give more autonomy to different regions and ethnic groups.
Q2) The lower house of the German legislature is called the A) Bundesrat.
B) Bundestag.
C) National Assembly.
D) People's Assembly.
E) Lander.
Q3) Discuss the role of Germany's major social cleavages (e.g. gender, ethnicity, age) and their role and impact in the economy and politics. Please draw upon specific examples in your answer.
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Chapter 5: Japan
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Q1) All of the following were TRUE of the Tokugawa Shogunate EXCEPT
A) it was a feudal aristocracy that ruled Japan for 265 years.
B) most children received elementary school education.
C) the people were strictly segregated and divided into separate classes.
D) it welcomed immigrants from other countries.
E) women were treated as inherently inferior and not allowed to participate in public affairs.
Q2) Which of the following is TRUE?
A) The Four Great Pollution Trials led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws that have substantially reduced pollution in the country.
B) The Four Great Pollution laws led to the enactment of stiff anti-pollution laws but these have not substantially reduced pollution in the country.
C) Environmental issues have been in the forefront of the public's attention since the 1950s and 1960s.
D) Among industrialized countries, Japan has one of the best records in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
E) Although Japan has a large number of nuclear reactors, these supply less than 10 percent of the country's energy.
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Chapter 6: India
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Q1) How often has the military taken control of Indian politics?
A) For one extended period of time
B) For two extended periods of time
C) Never
D) Very frequently, but only for brief periods of time
E) Very frequently, for extended periods of time
Q2) To what extent has federalism contributed to democracy in India and to what extent has it endangered democracy? On balance, has it contributed more to promoting democracy or endangering it? What factors in contemporary Indian politics will likely shape the impact of federalism in this regard?
Q3) The Partition that led to the formation of the separate states of India and Pakistan,
A) was supported by Mohandas Gandhi.
B) occurred without any kind of inter-ethnic violence
C) resulted in hardly any migration and displacement as the Muslim and Hindu populations were largely already settled in accordance to the Partition's boundaries.
D) was brought about, at least in part, due to tensions between the Hindu and Muslim populations.
E) was the result of a decision by the United Nations.
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Chapter 7: The United States
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Q1) More than other advanced democracies, the United States is more likely to threaten unilateral actions in foreign policy. Based on your reading of the development and structures of American national government, why do you think this is the case? Please offer specific evidence from the Chapter to substantiate your argument.
Q2) Class-based political movements and tensions have not arisen in the United States. This may be explained by all of the following EXCEPT
A) unions are weak in part because of state and national laws that limit their ability to organize.
B) the gap between the rich and poor has been reduced substantially through progressive taxation.
C) immigration policy has focused attention on cultural differences thus reducing the salience of class divisions.
D) a tradition of equitable land distribution.
E) All of the above are factors that help to explain why class-based movements and tensions have not arisen in the United States.
Q3) Who votes and who does not in the United States? What are the implications of this for American democracy?
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Chapter 8: Russia
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Q1) The command economy under the Soviet system
A) failed to reduce economic inequality.
B) achieved rapid industrialization.
C) involved state-directed economic planning but not state controls on pricing.
D) opened the country to foreign investment.
E) All of the above statements are true.
Q2) The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is best described as
A) a Russian nationalist party.
B) a party with a liberal and democratic platform.
C) a party that promotes Western-style social democracy.
D) the dominant party in Russia.
E) the party most committed to civil liberties and individual rights.
Q3) How have executive-legislative relations changed in post-communist Russia? Have such changes strengthened or weakened democratization?
Q4) Which of the following was a feature of the country during the Stalin era?
A) Collectivization of agriculture
B) Rapid industrialization which favored heavy industries
C) The development of satellite states in Eastern Europe
D) Increased personal control of the party by its leader as indicated by purges
E) All of the above
Page 10
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Chapter 9: Brazil
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Q1) Liberation theology refers to the belief that A) persons should be free from authoritarian rule.
B) one is free to practice any religion without state interference.
C) religion should seek to free people not only from their sins but also social injustices.
D) religious bodies should oppose authoritarian rule through passive resistance.
E) religious beliefs of individuals are the ultimate expression of their freedom.
Q2) The shantytowns that sprang up around large cities are called A) bolsa familas.
B) informal towns.
C) Cardoso-villes.
D) favelas.
E) reals.
Q3) Many would argue that for democracy to thrive, it is necessary to have a strong civil society. First, explore how civil society groups were engaged in politics historically in Brazil. Next, discuss how this has changed since the end of authoritarianism. Finally, assess whether civil society reinforces or impedes Brazilian democratization.
Q4) Discuss how the Brazilian state is a mixture of professionalism and clientelism.
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Chapter 10: Mexico
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Q1) Which of the following statements is NOT true?
A) The fact that Mexico is oil-rich provides it with a ready source of revenue while also making the country very vulnerable to changes in international oil prices.
B) The fact that Mexico is oil rich helps to explain why the country has a higher per capita income than most other developing countries.
C) Substantial oil revenue in the 1970s allowed the government to embark upon an extensive program of public investment that helped to stem off an emerging economic crisis.
D) Mexico's economic profile resembles that of other developing countries which also have extensive oil reserves such as Brazil and South Africa.
E) The way the country has promoted economic growth and industrialization is important in explaining why widespread poverty has persisted and why political power is not more equitably distributed.
Q2) Since the 1980s, how has the balance of power between the executive and legislature shifted? What accounts for these shifts? What impact has these shifts have upon the policy making process in the country?
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Chapter 11: South Africa
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Q1) The South African constitution
A) is based upon principles adopted at multiparty talks that led to a transitional government.
B) is difficult to amend as most clauses require the approval of three-fourths of the National Assembly.
C) does not include a formal bill of rights.
D) requires that executive power is shared between political parties.
E) is difficult to amend as most clauses require the approval of the majority of provincial governments.
Q2) The term Afrikaner refers to
A) descendents of Dutch and British settlers of South Africa who speak a common language.
B) a citizen of South Africa.
C) descendents of Dutch, French, German, and Scots settlers who speak a common language.
D) descendents of all white settlers of South Africa.
E) descendents of British settlers of South Africa.
Q3) What kinds of external pressures were put on South Africa to end its apartheid policies? What was the impact of such pressures?
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Chapter 12: Nigeria
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Q1) Describe how corruption has interfered with Nigeria's economic and political development. What attempts have been made to combat corruption? Have these been successful? Why or why not?
Q2) Which of the following BEST describes Nigerian political culture?
A) A strong sense of nationalism developed in response to outside interference
B) A lack of a sense of national identity, instead remaining loyal to their ethnic, regional, and religious groups
C) A weak sense of nationality leading to strong support for regional integration
D) A strong sense a unified concept of Nigerian citizenship
E) A weak sense of national unity leading to support for separatist movements
Q3) Nigeria's borders
A) coincide with traditional ethnic and tribal boundaries.
B) were arbitrarily drawn by the British to mark where their influence ended and the French's began.
C) coincide roughly with the boundaries of a single African polity that predated the arrival of the British.
D) were created by the League of Nations under its mandate system.
E) correspond to natural features.
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Chapter 13: Iran
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Q1) The ____ drew up the constitution of the Islamic Republic.
A) Assembly of Religious Experts
B) Guardian Council
C) SAVAK
D) Majles
E) Resurgence Party
Q2) Discuss the role of the Supreme Leader. Does this institution remain the dominant political player even after the death of Khomeini?
Q3) Which of the following describes the role of the Assembly of Experts?
A) It amended the Iranian constitution during the last months of Khomeini's life.
B) It helps the Supreme Leader select members of Iran's judiciary.
C) It approves candidates running for political office, including that of the presidency.
D) It oversees the work of the Supreme Leader and has the power to dismiss him if he is unable to fulfill his official duties.
E) It certifies the credentials of clerics.
Q4) Discuss any three challenges facing Iran today. Is the current structure of the regime well suited to address these challenges?
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Chapter 14: China
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Q1) In the spring of 1989, Tiananmen Square was the site of
A) a large public rally celebrating the awarding of the Summer Olympics to China.
B) a series of demonstrations by students and others that was violently crushed.
C) the funeral for Deng Xiaoping.
D) a large public rally at which Deng Xiaoping denounced the harsh policies of the Mao era.
E) a series of demonstrations against public corruption that led Xiaoping to announce an anti-corruption program.
Q2) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) was founded in A) 1925.
B) 1918.
C) 1921.
D) 1930.
E) 1932.
Q3) Compare and contrast the leadership of Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping. What do you see as the main differences between them? Do you see any similarities? What would you count as the major achievements and shortcomings of each? Finally, in what ways to Jian Zeming and Hu Jintao represent change and/or continuity with the past leadership?
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