Introduction to Comparative Politics Practice
Questions
Course Introduction
Introduction to Comparative Politics examines the foundational concepts and methods used to understand political systems across different countries. This course explores how various governments are structured and how political processes, institutions, and cultures shape policy outcomes. Through comparative analysis, students will investigate themes such as democratization, authoritarianism, political participation, state-building, and policy-making across diverse regions. The course emphasizes both theoretical frameworks and real-world examples, encouraging students to critically analyze similarities and differences among political systems and consider the impacts of globalization, conflict, and social change on global politics.
Recommended Textbook
Political Science An Introduction 13th Edition by Michael
Available Study Resources on Quizplus
18 Chapters
1439 Verified Questions
1439 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/study-set/1905 Page 2
G. Roskin
Chapter 1: Politics and Political Science
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37968
Sample Questions
Q1) The term, polis originated in __________.
A)Italy
B)The United States
C)Great Britain
D)Greece
Answer: D
Q2) Tom Paine's __________ discussed why America should separate from Britain. Answer: Common Sense
Q3) Rationality is based on which of the following?
A)Reason
B)Myth
C)Culture
D)Biology
Answer: A
Q4) __________ refers to something based on observable evidence.
A)Quantify
B)Hypothesis
C)Qualify
D)Empirical
Answer: D
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 3
Chapter 2: Theories
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37969
Sample Questions
Q1) Contrast the Contractualists' state of nature and the consequences of each vision. Answer: a. Discuss that the "state of nature" existed before civilization.
b. Discuss how Hobbes viewed the state of nature as incredibly harsh.
c. Discuss how Locke's views were less pessimistic, though civilization would be necessary to secure property rights.
d. Discuss how Rousseau was more optimistic about individuals, but it was society that corrupted them. He discussed the general will, which was what the community wanted.
e. Indicate how all of these theorists acknowledge that people enter into contracts to create a civil society.
f. Discuss how the Founding Fathers utilized these theorists in creating the United States. The U.S. Constitution is a social contract.
Q2) Realists focus on the world as it should be.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q3) A feedback loop is associated with __________ theory.
Answer: systems
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
4
Chapter 3: Political Ideologies
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37970
Sample Questions
Q1) Maoism is a form of conservatism.
A)True
B)False
Answer: False
Q2) Which of the following best describes the term laissez-faire?
A)Intervening in the economy
B)Leaving the economy alone
C)Creating monopolies
D)Disbanding monopolies
Answer: B
Q3) Social democracies have become __________ states. Answer: welfare
Q4) Which statement, if True, best undermines Daniel Bell and Francis Fukuyama?
A)Capitalism has triumphed over socialism.
B)Socialism no longer exists in any first world countries.
C)Many nations have varying forms of socialism, and others have varying forms of capitalism.
D)Capitalism has few rivals in the modern era
Answer: C
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 5
Chapter 4: States
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37971
Sample Questions
Q1) Decentralizing power involves concentrating power in the national government.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Which of the following best describes a weak state?
A)A state with essentially no national government
B)A state where elections may be predetermined
C)A state where the government taxes and controls its territory
D)A state where there are no laws
Q3) Welfare states tend to have which of the following combinations of state ownership and welfare benefits?
A)High levels of state ownership and high levels of welfare benefits
B)High levels of state ownership but low levels of welfare benefits
C)Low levels of state ownership and high levels of welfare benefits
D)Low levels of state ownership and low levels of welfare benefits
Q4) Weak states typically have no national government.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Evaluate Aristotle's six types of government.How might this classification be useful today?
Page 6
Q6) What does gerrymandering do for democracy?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 5: Constitutions and Rights
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37972
Sample Questions
Q1) People in the American South may prefer a limited role of government in the economy, while those in the Northeast may favor greater government involvement.These two areas have very different __________.
Q2) Based on your text, which provision might be in Germany's constitution?
A)Guaranteed support for private schools
B)Limitations on government involvement in economic matters
C)Limitations on government involvement in social matters
D)Provisions that provide support for the unemployed
Q3) Which of the following might you infer from a constitution that is relatively long and detailed?
A)The constitution is probably relatively new.
B)The constitution is probably relatively old.
C)The constitution is probably relatively vague.
D)The constitution is probably relatively restrictive on rights.
Q4) Distinguish between constitutions and statutes.
Q5) Some people view the right of having a job as a(n) __________ right.
A)natural
B)human
C)economic
D)civil
Page 7
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 6: Regimes
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37973
Sample Questions
Q1) How do elitists compare to pluralists, in regards to accountability to the masses?
A)Those who argue that elites are little accountable are elite theorists; those who argue that elites are only mildly accountable are pluralists.
B)Those who argue that pluralists are little accountable are elite theorists; those who argue that elites are ultimately accountable are elitists.
C)Those who argue that elites are very accountable are elite theorists; those who argue that elites are ultimately accountable are pluralists.
D)Those who argue that elites are little accountable are elite theorists; those who argue that elites are ultimately accountable are pluralists.
Q2) Secret arrests, imprisonment, and torture are made possible under totalitarian regimes, as __________ guarantees either do not exist or are ignored.
Q3) The U.S.oil industry, in which George W.Bush and Dick Cheney had been executives, were given __________ by those men during their time in office together, an example of the access elites have to political power.
Q4) What is the main idea of popular accountability of government?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 8
Chapter 7: Political Culture
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37974
Sample Questions
Q1) The years of Watergate, the Vietnam War, and inflation correlated with a __________ in citizens' trust in the U.S.government.
A)sharp rise
B)barely noticeable uptick
C)sharp decline
D)barely noticeable decline
Q2) How were the 2008 Beijing Olympics an example of an agent of socialization?
A)It was a government display, building public support and loyalty.
B)It was a citizen-organized display, building public support and loyalty.
C)It was a government display, building support and loyalty largely among the state's vast array of bureaucrats.
D)It was a government display, building public entrepreneurship and individual self-confidence.
Q3) Wealthier, more educated elites are more likely to vote than the less educated, less wealthy masses.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Children accept __________ values unconsciously and uncritically and may retain them all their lives.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 9
Chapter 8: Public Opinion
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37975
Sample Questions
Q1) Though a man's opinion of his neighbor's religion would not be part of public opinion, that Man's feeling on __________ would be.
A)the best brand of camera
B)the quality of artwork on offer at the local art museum
C)the state of his local church
D)prayer in public schools
Q2) Beginning with the work of Karl Marx, scholars have treated social class as an important factor in public opinion.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The U.S.bailouts that were a response to the 2008 financial meltdown were a result of elite consensus and contrary to the will of the majority-thus indicating a frequent gap between elites and mass public opinion.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Any survey that records only those who __________ is invalid.
Q5) A "God gap" was brought into U.S.politics by the rise of the __________.
Q6) __________ decisions tend to guide public opinion.
Page 10
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 9: Political Communication
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37976
Sample Questions
Q1) Since the invention of the telegraph, Washington has allowed private companies to operate communications __________.
A)under strict guidelines
B)with large government subsidies
C)independently for profit
D)under tax sheltered annuities
Q2) How has television shaped the roles of political party organizations and leaders in nominating candidates for election?
A)Leaders are bypassed as candidates enter party conventions with established momentum.
B)Party leaders have gained increased control as they develop close ties to the media.
C)Organizations have strengthened due to divisive bipartisan sound bites.
D)Parties have weakened due to increased media expenditures.
Q3) Television has enhanced media coverage for the White House during political campaigns, but not always in the __________'s favor.
Q4) How can social media undermine a dictatorial regime?
Q5) The civil service and state __________ are particularly under covered by the media.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 11
Chapter 10: Interest Groups
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37977
Sample Questions
Q1) Interest groups in the U.S.work through the legislature and the executive but not the judicial system.
A)True
B)False
Q2) What group or groups do interest groups over-represent?
A)The wealthy and specialized interest groups
B)Businesses and non-profit organizations
C)The wealthy and businesses
D)The larger interest groups and specialized interest groups
Q3) The first attempt to limit campaign financing in the U.S.was the Tillman Act of 1907, supported by Theodore Roosevelt.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Federal lobbying currently costs around $ __________ per year.
A)500 million
B)3)5 billion
C)1 billion
D)4)5 million
Q5) Discuss the role that government-created interest groups play.
Q6) Federal officials on the take are usually __________ rather than __________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 12
Chapter 11: Parties
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
79 Verified Questions
79 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37978
Sample Questions
Q1) Stable, moderate party systems made democracy possible in which former totalitarian nations?
A)Vietnam and North Korea
B)Spain and West Germany
C)Syria and Iraq
D)Bolivia and El Salvador
Q2) Using Sartori's definition, identify the criteria for party relevance.
Q3) Assess the relationship between party finance and transparency.How does this relationship allow anonymous interest groups to shape party interests and activities? How might voters benefit from increased transparency?
Q4) Roosevelt's Democratic coalition consisted of which three disparate interest groups?
A)Blacks, whites and Hispanics
B)Women, gun-owners and the NAACP
C)Young voters, the poor and the Irish
D)Catholics, Jews and blacks
Q5) ___________ occurs when parties compete in a centripetal manner.
Q6) Analyze the method by which left-wing parties propose to level class differences.
Q7) Describe party centralization and decentralization.Provide an example.
Page 13
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above.
Chapter 12: Elections
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37979
Sample Questions
Q1) What impact does young people beginning to pay taxes have on their relationship to voting?
A)It tends to make them more likely to vote, but less likely to work for a given campaign.
B)Beginning to pay taxes tends to make them less interested in elections.
C)It tends to make them more liberal in their voting.
D)As they begin paying taxes they become more interested in elections.
Q2) The peak of U.S.voter turnout was in 1960 at __________ percent.
A)30
B)63
C)73
D)56
Q3) Cities have __________ turnouts than rural areas because __________.
Q4) "Retrospective voting" involves voters choosing whether or not to vote for a candidate based on overall __________ performance, especially in regard to the economy.
Q5) The __________ constitutional amendment lowered the U.S.voting age from 21 to 18.
Q6) The __________ voting bloc is the strongest predictor in U.S.voting.
Q7) Roosevelt's __________ influenced an electoral realignment in U.S.politics.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 14
Chapter 13: Legislatures
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37980
Sample Questions
Q1) One good way to study something is to see how it changes over time, or a __________ study.
Q2) The average annual number of filibusters in the U.S.Senate has __________ since 1981.
A)greatly increased
B)slightly increased
C)greatly decreased D)fluctuated widely
Q3) What is the effect of "divided" government, such as that used in the United States, on spending and policy formation?
A)It encourages unhealthy spending and foolish policies.
B)It holds down spending and foolish policies.
C)It encourages irresponsible spending because representatives are held accountable for only a short amount of time.
D)It encourages responsible spending, but is slow to implement policy.
Q4) Since African Americans vote in considerable numbers, representatives in the U.S.South take care not to offend them.
A)True B)False
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 15
Chapter 14: Executives and Bureaucracies
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37981
Sample Questions
Q1) When a minister disagrees with government policy, they are expected to resign and return to their seats in __________.
Q2) In the case of both parliamentary and presidential systems, examine the reason democracies will not vanish, even though the executive seems to be receiving more and more power.
A)Checks and balances keep the chief executive from gaining too much power.
B)Chief executives will eventually have to face reelection, which depends greatly on the approval of voting citizens.
C)Both systems have methods by which to oust chief executives.
D)Subordinates carry out some of the workload of the chief executive.
Q3) Many Western European governments added __________ to their cabinets in the 1980s.
Q4) Based on qualifications pertaining to their educational background and examinations, civil servants are __________ officials.
Q5) Cabinets in the United States are comprised of __________ members.
A)20 or more
B)10 or less
C)a total of 15
D)a total of 20
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 16
Chapter 15: Judiciaries
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37982
Sample Questions
Q1) In the European court system, the prosecutor is an official who forwards evidence to the __________.
A)investigating judge
B)judicial panel
C)case review board
D)district attorney
Q2) The concept of judicial review falls under which article of the U.S.Constitution?
A)Article I: The Legislative Branch
B)Article III: The Judicial Branch
C)Article VI: Debts, Supremacy, Oaths
D)Judicial review is not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution.
Q3) With only 2.3 million people in U.S.jails, we rarely hear about the criminal law system.
A)True
B)False
Q4) As French kings overturned feudalism in favor of absolutism, legal scholars revived __________ to bolster central government and encourage commerce.
Q5) How does the Russian court's theoretical role differ from its practiced role?
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 17
Chapter 16: Political Economy
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37983
Sample Questions
Q1) Many Americans think the federal budget goes primarily toward welfare, which is
A)absolutely True
B)somewhat exaggerated
C)not at all the case
D)slightly offensive
Q2) Theoretically, what are the consequences if the government assumes the burden of bad loans?
A)Citizens will default on their mortgages.
B)Banks will learn from their mistakes and pay back the burden with interest.
C)Ultimately, the government will profit.
D)Firms will be encouraged to continue their risky behavior.
Q3) Briefly, what is the relationship between politics and economy?
Q4) The classical economists of the late eighteenth and nineteenth centuries-Adam Smith, David Ricardo, John Stuart Mill, and Karl Marx-all wrote on what they called socialist economies.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Analyze the American trend against creating new entitlement programs.
Q6) The government assumed responsibility for the ___________ of bad loans in 2008.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 18
Chapter 17: Violence and Revolution
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37984
Sample Questions
Q1) __________ and his followers were calm and rational in their pursuit of political goals that strike outsiders as mistaken and evil.
Q2) Islamic terrorism has hardly begun to fade.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Why might even a period of prosperity bring about revolution?
A)When people move in and out of poverty, they have no hope for the future, and so see nothing to lose in rebelling.
B)When things improve for the wealthy, they start imagining an even better future. No longer content with their already luxurious lot, they want improvement faster than even a growing economy can deliver.
C)When things improve for the poor, they realize just how bad they've had it and their anger is unleashed.
D)When things improve for the poor, people start imagining a better future, and no longer content with their lot, they want improvement faster than even a growing economy can deliver.
Q4) In __________, British troops patrolled with automatic weapons and armored cars.
Q5) Terrorism is difficult to fight because it falls between war and __________.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 19
Chapter 18: International Relations
Available Study Resources on Quizplus for this Chatper
80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/37985
Sample Questions
Q1) The recent global contraction brought a new wave of __________, as one country after another worried about keeping jobs at home.
A)isolationism
B)outsourcing
C)offshoring
D)protectionism
Q2) A big war with a definitive outcome often brings peace because __________.
A)relative power is clearly seen
B)power struggles are safely obscured
C)weaker powers are rendered impotent
D)larger powers rest satisfied
Q3) Which of the following statements is True regarding Canadian sovereignty?
A)Many Canadians argue that cultural penetration by the United States threatens their claim to sovereignty.
B)Canada unsuccessfully exerts cultural and economic sovereignty over the United States.
C)Canada does not maintain full legal sovereignty from the United States.
D)Few Canadians recognize foreign influence on their country's sovereignty.
Q4) Analyze the effect of misperception on U.S.involvement in the Vietnam War.
To view all questions and flashcards with answers, click on the resource link above. Page 20