Comparative Politics Today A World View 11th Edition by G. Bingham Powell Jr - Test Bank

Comparative Politics Today A World View 11th Edition by G. Bingham Powell Jr – Test Bank

 

Instant Download – Complete Test Bank With Answers

 

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

Test Bank to Accompany Comparative Politics Today: A World View, 12/e, Powell et al.

 

CHAPTER 5

 

Multiple Choice

 

TB_05_01_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Remember_LO 5.1

 

A set of basic decision rules that also outlines basic rights and the distribution of authority in a society is referred to as a

1. contract.
2. systemic outline.
3. statutory regulation.
4. constitution.

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 86

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

 

TB_05_02_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Understand_LO 5.1

 

Which of the following is true about constitutions?

1. They are not based upon case law.
2. They do not consider customs and practices in law.
3. They are seldom authoritative for determining statutory law.
4. D. They are often written as a document or a series of docum

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 86

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_03_Democracy and Authoritarianism_Understand_LO 5.2

 

“The conversion of social interests and demands into authoritative public decisions” refers to

1. lawmaking.
2. policymaking.
3. interest aggregation.
4. social change.

 

Learning Objective: 5.2 Compare and contrast democratic and authoritarian systems.

Topic: Democracy and Authoritarianism

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: B

Page Ref: 87

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_04_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Analyze_LO 5.1

 

One disadvantage of qualified majority rule is that

1. it can protect against poorly made and hasty decisions.
2. it can disadvantage large proportions of the population.
3. it can give a small minority the power to block proposals favored by a large majority.
4. it disqualifies some individuals from running for office.

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: C

Page Ref: 87

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_05_Separation of Government Powers_Apply_LO 5.3

 

Parliamentary systems

1. are not bound by constitutions.
2. involve the separate election of the executive and legislative branches.
3. can be dissolved by a vote of no confidence.
4. have strict term limits.

 

Learning Objective: 5.3 Discuss the presidential and parliamentary forms of democratic government, using the United States and Britain, respectively, as examples.

Topic: Separation of Government Powers

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: C

Page Ref: 89

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_06_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Apply_LO 5.1

 

A defeat in a war, internal revolution, or national independence are all events that may prompt

1. ongoing economic concerns.
2. an increase in systemic inputs.
3. a return to national identity.
4. basic constitutional change.

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: D

Page Ref: 87

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_07_Democracy and Authoritarianism_Apply_LO 5.2

 

Systems with high levels of indirect public participation tend to be

1. authoritarian.
2. totalitarian.
3. democratic.
4. those in which voter turnout in national elections is correspondingly high.

 

Learning Objective: 5.2 Compare and contrast democratic and authoritarian systems.

Topic: Democracy and Authoritarianism

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: C

Page Ref: 88

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_08_Geographic Distribution of Government Power_Remember_LO 5.4

 

Under the Constitution of 1787, the U.S. government became a

1. federal system.
2. fourth wave of democratization.
3. confederal system.
4. unitary system.

 

Learning Objective: 5.4 Define confederal, federal, and unitary divisions of governmental power.

Topic: Geographic Distribution of Government Power

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: A

Page Ref: 91

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

 

TB_05_09_Geographic Distribution of Government Power_Understand_LO 5.4

 

The most common form of geographic distribution of government power is a

1. unitary system.
2. federal system.
3. confederal system.
4. dictatorship regime.

 

Learning Objective: 5.4 Define confederal, federal, and unitary divisions of governmental power.

Topic: Geographic Distribution of Government Power

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: A

Page Ref: 91

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_10_Geographic Distribution of Government Power_Understand_LO 5.4

 

The major disadvantage of federalism is that

1. it protects ethnic, linguistic, or religious minorities at the expense of the majority.
2. it cannot serve as a check on overly ambitious rulers.
3. it allows subunits to experiment with different policy programs.
4. it may come at the expense of the equality of citizens.

 

Learning Objective: 5.4 Define confederal, federal, and unitary divisions of governmental power.

Topic: Geographic Distribution of Government Power

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 92

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_11_Separation of Government Powers_Understand_LO 5.3

 

Separation of powers in the different branches of government refers to

1. the wall between church and state.
2. the banning of inherited titles of nobility.
3. the practice whereby presidents or prime ministers may undertake all political powers.
4. a means of checking power by distributing roles among the executive, legislature, and judiciary.

 

Learning Objective: 5.3 Discuss the presidential and parliamentary forms of democratic government, using the United States and Britain, respectively, as examples.

Topic: Separation of Government Powers

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 88

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_12_Limitations on Government Power_Apply_LO 5.7

 

In most countries, the actual formulation of legislation occurs

1. in the assembly.
2. in the executive branch and appropriate bureaucracies.
3. through the work of political party representatives.
4. through the work of conferences between all involved.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Limitations on Government Power

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: B

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_13_Assemblies_Remember_LO 5.7

 

The words “unicameral” and “bicameral” describe legislatures in terms of

1. whether their members are elected in single-member districts or proportionately.
2. their size relative to each other.
3. their methods of reapportionment.
4. the number of chambers they contain.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Remember the Facts

 

TB_05_14_Assemblies_Understand the Concepts_LO 5.7

 

In most democracies, the organization of the legislature is

1. unicameral.
2. bicameral.
3. trilateral.
4. proportional.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: B

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_15_Assemblies_Understand_LO 5.7

 

In federal systems, the two chambers generally represent

1. population and geography.
2. two separate political parties.
3. ideological separation.
4. social status groups.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: A

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_16_Assemblies_Apply_LO 5.7

 

Which of the following is generally true about political elites?

1. They are representative of the population by age, but not gender or class.
2. They are representative of the population by gender, but not class or age.
3. They are representative of the population by class, but not gender or age.
4. They are not representative of the population by age, gender, or class.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: D

Page Ref: 96

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_17_Political Executives_Understand_LO 5.6

 

All of the following are checks on top policymakers EXCEPT

1. voting.
2. judicial review.
3. impeachment.
4. the ability to veto legislation.

 

Learning Objective: 5.6 List three methods used to remove political leaders from office.

Topic: Checking the Top Policymakers

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: D

Page Ref: 109

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_18_Political Executives_Apply_LO 5.8

 

In the United States, the chief executive fulfills the role of

1. head of state.
2. head of government.
3. both head of state and head of government.
4. neither head of state nor head of government.

 

Learning Objective: 5.8 Discuss the ways chief executives are chosen, their powers, and the role played by cabinets.

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: C

Page Ref: 97

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_19_Political Executives_Understand_LO 5.8

 

In parliamentary systems, the cabinet is generally selected by

1. the president.
2. the prime minister.
3. the assembly.
4. the Senate.

 

Learning Objective: 5.8 Discuss the ways chief executives are chosen, their powers, and the role played by cabinets.

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: B

Page Ref: 101

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_20_Political Executives_Understand_LO 5.8

 

Responsibilities of the political executive include all of the following EXCEPT

1. enacting legislation.
2. carrying out policy.
3. establishing a climate of trust and confidence in the political system.
4. recruitment.

 

Learning Objective: 5.8 Discuss the ways chief executives are chosen, their powers, and the role played by cabinets.

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: A

Page Ref: 102

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

True/False Questions

 

TB_05_21_Geographic Distribution of Government Power_Understand_LO 5.4

 

The majority of countries across the globe utilize a federal system of government.

 

Learning Objective: 5.4 Define confederal, federal, and unitary divisions of governmental power.

Topic: Geographic Distribution of Government Power

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: False

Page Ref: 92

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_22_Democracy and Authoritarianism_Understand_LO 5.2

 

In both democratic and authoritarian regimes, constitutions establish the basic rules governing how decisions are made and the structures of government.

 

Learning Objective: 5.2 Compare and contrast democratic and authoritarian systems.

Topic: Democracy and Authoritarianism

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: True

Page Ref: 88

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_23_Separation of Government Powers_Apply_LO 5.3

 

The theory of separation of powers allows for a democratic regime to function properly.

 

Learning Objective: 5.3 Discuss the presidential and parliamentary forms of democratic government, using the United States and Britain, respectively, as examples.

Topic: Separation of Government Powers

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: True

Page Ref: 88

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_24_Separation of Government Powers_Apply_LO 5.3

 

Confidence votes are normally introduced by the opposition to get the prime minister to call for new elections.

 

Learning Objective: 5.3 Discuss the presidential and parliamentary forms of democratic government, using the United States and Britain, respectively, as examples.

Topic: Separation of Government Powers

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: False

Page Ref: 89

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_25 Separation of Government Powers_Analyze_LO 5.3

 

In the debate over the best system of representative democracy, many political theorists traditionally favored the British-style parliamentary system.

 

Learning Objective: 5.3 Discuss the presidential and parliamentary forms of democratic government, using the United States and Britain, respectively, as examples.

Topic: Separation of Government Powers

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: True

Page Ref: 90

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_26_Limitations on Government Powers_Analyze_LO 5.5

 

The independence of the courts within a country dictates the degree to which the courts can exercise judicial review.

 

Learning Objective: 5.5 Discuss the role of the courts in overseeing democracies and give examples from several countries.

Topic: Limitations on Government Powers

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: True

Page Ref: 92

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_27_Assemblies_Apply_LO 5.7

 

In most countries, the formulation of policy occurs within the committee system of the legislature.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: False

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_28_Assemblies_Understand_LO 5.7

 

In multiple-chambered legislatures, the multiple chambers most often represent different regions of a country.

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: False

Page Ref: 95

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_29_Political Executives_Understand_LO 5.8

 

In most countries, the head of state and the head of government rest in two separate positions.

 

Learning Objective: 5.8 Discuss the ways chief executives are chosen, their powers, and the role played by cabinets.

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 1 – Easy

Answer: True

Page Ref: 97

Skill Level: Understand the Concepts

 

TB_05_30_Political Executives_Apply_LO 5.8

 

Parliamentary systems with proportional representation often produce unstable coalitions with no party controlling a majority of seats in the legislature.

 

Learning Objective: 5.8 Discuss the ways chief executives are chosen, their powers, and the role played by cabinets.

Topic: Political Executives

Difficulty: 2 – Moderate

Answer: True

Page Ref: 101

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

Short Answer

 

TB_05_31_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Analyze_LO 5.1

 

Discuss the conditions under which a constitution should be amended.

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_32_Democracy and Authoritarianism_Analyze_LO 5.2

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a more inclusive decision-making process?

 

Learning Objective: 5.2 Compare and contrast democratic and authoritarian systems.

Topic: Democracy and Authoritarianism

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_33_Geographic Distribution of Government Powers_Analyze_LO 5.4

 

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a unitary system when compared to a federal system? Give examples of each system in your answer.

 

Learning Objective: 5.4 Define confederal, federal, and unitary divisions of governmental power.

Topic: Geographic Distribution of Government Powers

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_34_Checking the Top Policymakers_Analyze_LO 5.6

 

What are the major differences between presidential, semi-presidential, and parliamentary forms of government? Which is more efficient for policymaking? Why? Give examples of each form of government in your answer.

 

Learning Objective: 5.6 List three methods used to remove political leaders from office.

Topic: Checking the Top Policymakers

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_35_Assemblies_Analyze_LO 5.7

 

Why is the confidence relationship so important in parliamentary democracies?

 

Learning Objective: 5.7 Describe the varied forms, functions, and compositions of government assemblies.

Topic: Assemblies

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It

 

TB_05_36_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Analyze_LO 5.1

 

In what different ways can policymaking power be dispersed and limited by constitutional arrangements?

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_37_The Bureaucracy_Apply_LO 5.9

 

How are bureaucracies controlled by executives and legislatures? Explain the importance of maintaining limits on bureaucracies.

 

Learning Objective: 5.9 Explain Max Weber’s definition of a bureaucracy and describe the forms bureaucracies can take.

Topic: The Bureaucracy

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Apply What You Know

 

TB_05_38_Constitutions and Decision Rules_Analyze_LO 5.1

 

How do political parties and interest groups influence the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the bureaucracy, in democratic (or authoritarian) regimes? Make sure that you discuss the recruitment of political elites, representation of interests, and the influence each has on the decision-making process.

 

Learning Objective: 5.1 Describe the features of a constitution, focusing on decision rules, and explain why Britain is unusual.

Topic: Constitutions and Decision Rules

Difficulty: 3 – Difficult

Skill Level: Analyze It