AP Comp Unit 1

Which of the following best explains why Mexico and Nigeria have similar sources of authority? A) Both transitioned into multiparty republics from authoritarian regimes. B) Both have established theocracies in their executive branch leadership. C) Both feature a ruling Communist Party that maintains regime stability. D) Both maintain election rules that guarantee dominance by one party.

A) Both transitioned into multiparty republics from authoritarian regimes.

Which of the following identifies two basic elements of all modern representative democracies? A) Free and fair elections and widespread suffrage B) A written constitution and separation of powers C) Free speech and private ownership of all industry D) Proportional representation and a judiciary with the power of constitutional review E) Representative government and separation of executive and legislative powers

A) Free and fair elections and widespread suffrage

Which of the following is true of both China and Russia? A) Both have proportional-representation electoral systems. B) Both have weak legislative branches compared with the executive branch. C) Both have developed strong, independent militaries. D) Both place more emphasis on ideological correctness than on technical expertise within the public bureaucracy. E) Both have moved from nationalism to multiculturalism as a central plank in state legitimacy.

B) Both have weak legislative branches compared with the executive branch.

Which of the following is typically a function of the head of state in a parliamentary system? A) Making foreign policy B) Greeting new foreign ambassadors C) Giving final rulings in judicial appeals D) Approving a comprehensive annual budget E) Assembling a majority coalition in the legislature

B) Greeting new foreign ambassadors

In which of the following pairs of countries do both governments have a federal structure? A) Nigeria and China B) Nigeria and Mexico C) Russia and Iran D) Great Britain and Mexico

B) Nigeria and Mexico

Which of the following correctly describes the relationship between the Mexican Supreme Court of Justice and other political institutions in Mexico? A) The president has the constitutional power to overrule decisions made by the National Supreme Court of Justice. B) The president has the power to appoint or nominate members to the National Supreme Court of Justice. C) Mexico's constitution does not provide for an independent judiciary. D) Mexico's National Supreme Court of Justice has had its powers restricted by the legislative branch.

B) The president has the power to appoint or nominate members to the National Supreme Court of Justice.

Which of the following is the best example of regime change? A) The transfer of power from Gordon Brown to David Cameron B) The transfer of power from Mikhail Gorbachev to Boris Yeltsin C) The transfer of power from Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to Goodluck Jonathan D) The transfer of power from Felipe Calderón to Enrique Peña Nieto E) The transfer of power from Hu Jintao to Xi Jinping

B) The transfer of power from Mikhail Gorbachev to Boris Yeltsin

The main duty of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) is to A) oversee all presidential actions B) draft and passes legislation C) manage the day-to-day activities of the bureaucracy D) operate as the center of power in the Chinese state

B) draft and passes legislation

Which of the following best describes how a government can maintain political legitimacy? A) By instituting presidential term limits B) By limiting the investigatory powers of the media C) By decreasing political corruption D) By creating political cleavages

C) By decreasing political corruption

Which of the following would most likely increase legitimacy in Iran? A) A disputed transfer of power B) Jailing of religious leaders C) Selection of a less charismatic leader D) Economic growth

D) Economic growth

Which of the following countries is best described as a theocratic state? A) China B) Mexico C) Nigeria D) Iran E) Russia

D) Iran

One of the primary functions of Russia's Constitutional Court is to A) oversee the impeachment process B) validate the results of elections C) amend the Constitution D) exercise judicial review E) approve appointments to the Duma Judiciary Committee

D) exercise judicial review

One difference between the parliamentary and presidential forms of government is that the presidential form A) ensures there will be no periods of divided government B) sets no fixed term of office for the executive C) makes the executive subject to a possible vote of no confidence by the legislature D) creates a stronger sense of party discipline E) makes the executive electorally independent of other branches of government

E) makes the executive electorally independent of other branches of government

A unitary system is best defined as one that has A) checks and balances B) separation of powers C) a prime minister or parliament D) fusion of powers between the executive and legislative branches E) no constitutional division of powers between the central and regional governments

E) no constitutional division of powers between the central and regional governments

HDI

Human Development Index, measure of quality of life using factors like life expectancy, literacy, access to clean water, income, etc.

term limits in mexico

President - one term of 6 years

who makes most of the decisions in the UK?

Prime Minister

Totalitarian

a centralized regime that possesses some strong form of ideology that seeks to transform and absorb fundamental aspects of the state, society, and economy

Theocracy

a system of government in which priests rule in the name of God or a god; Iran

what do iran and uk legislatures control

budget

fixed parliament act

elections must take place every five years in the uk

Authoritian Government

government in which all power is held by a single person or a small group

Life Expectancy in USSR and Russia

life expectancy was way lower during the USSR due to drinking

unitary

one national government, local/regional units have little or no say in policy, or are only given authority by the central government ; china, iran, *britain*

coalition government

two parties come together to run the country

Advantage of exec term limits

- checks the power of the executive branch - prevents dictator and/or personality rule - helps to focus the attention of the executive on governing rather than winning elections

Authoritarian states restrict internet access

- china and russia - monitor what we do, what we can see, and what the media put out

Authoritarian regimes lack rule of law

- lack of institutional checks and balances cannot provide a reliable basis for either judicial independence

Authoritarian regimes restrict rights and freedoms

- make rule based upon their personal values and opinions - the little guy doesn't get any say

state sovereignty

- the ability to carry out actions or policies within a territory independently from external actors or internal riots - Sovereignty requires power, physical and otherwise, to defend against these other actors

Which of the following is the best indicator that a political regime is legitimate? A) Citizens follow laws because they believe in the government's right to rule. B) Citizens agree with the specific policy choices of the government. C) Citizens do not challenge government actions, out of fear of imprisonment. D) Citizens are allowed to participate in violent protests and are never imprisoned. E) Citizens engage in political participation.

A) Citizens follow laws because they believe in the government's right to rule.

Which of the following is a necessary part of a political system? A) Governmental laws B) Historical tradition C) Religious leadership D) Common currency

A) Governmental laws

Which of the following is true of the bureaucracy in Mexico? A) It is a major source of employment within Mexico. B) The National Action Party (PAN) has effectively cut back on bureaucratic corruption. C) Oil is no longer controlled by the government bureaucracy. D) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has caused an increase in bureaucratic inefficiency. E) It has become smaller since the increase in microcredit programs.

A) It is a major source of employment within Mexico.

Which of the following best describes how judiciaries remain independent from other branches of government? A) Judiciaries overrule executive and legislative actions. B) Judges are appointed by the president or prime minister. C) Judiciaries routinely advise executives on economic policy. D) Federal judges counsel lower-court judges on important cases.

A) Judiciaries overrule executive and legislative actions.

Why is Nigeria more likely to have a separation of powers than China? A) Separate branches in Nigeria prevent governmental power from residing in a small group of leaders. B) A separation of powers allows the Nigerian executive to more efficiently enforce the laws. C) Separate branches in Nigeria allow for more policies to be written by the legislative branch. D) Judiciaries are empowered to police their own rulings in the Nigerian system of separated powers.

A) Separate branches in Nigeria prevent governmental power from residing in a small group of leaders.

Which of the following institutions in Iran has the ultimate authority to assess the compatibility of laws with Islam? A) The Guardian Council B) The Cabinet C) The Assembly of Religious Experts D) The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) E) The head of the judiciary branch

A) The Guardian Council

Which of the following correctly describes sources of legitimacy in two AP course countries? A) The United Kingdom and Nigeria both rely heavily on elections as a source of legitimacy. B) Russia and the United Kingdom both depend largely on the charismatic authority of leaders as a source of legitimacy. C) Although China relies entirely on economic growth as a primary source of legitimacy, Mexico relies on the charismatic authority of its leader. D) Although Iran relies primarily on elections to foster legitimacy, Russia relies on the charismatic authority of its leader as a primary source of legitimacy.

A) The United Kingdom and Nigeria both rely heavily on elections as a source of legitimacy.

Which of the following describes democratic consolidation in Mexico A) The election of presidents from parties that opposed PRI dominance B) The elimination of political corruption from the executive branch C) The inability of criminal organizations to influence law enforcement agencies D) Government programs that greatly reduced income inequality levels

A) The election of presidents from parties that opposed PRI dominance

Which of the following describes democratic consolidation in Mexico. A) The election of presidents from parties that opposed PRI dominance B) The elimination of political corruption from the executive branch C) The inability of criminal organizations to influence law enforcement agencies D) Government programs that greatly reduced income inequality levels

A) The election of presidents from parties that opposed PRI dominance

Which of the following is a correct explanation of the limited power of the Iranian Majles? A) The power of the Majles is limited because the Iranian Constitution created a theocratic state with democratic characteristics, with religious leaders having more power in the system. B) The power of the Majles is limited because only the Supreme Leader can ensure that legislation is compatible with Islamic law. C) The power of the Majles is limited because Iran is a federal system and state legislatures have an important voice in national policy. D) The power of the Majles is limited because the Iranian Constitution gives the Expediency Council the power to approve candidates for elective office.

A) The power of the Majles is limited because the Iranian Constitution created a theocratic state with democratic characteristics, with religious leaders having more power in the system.

Which of the following is generally true about countries with unitary governments? A) They have a highly centralized policy process. B) They have multiracial populations. C) They assign significant power to local governments. D) They have a history of racial, ethnic or religious conflict. E) They have powerful court systems with the power of constitutional review.

A) They have a highly centralized policy process.

In Iran, the head of the judiciary is A) appointed by the Supreme Leader B) appointed by the Guardian Council C) appointed by the president and confirmed by the Guardian Council D) chosen by a two-thirds majority of the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) E) chosen by majority vote in the Assembly of Religious Experts

A) appointed by the Supreme Leader

A political system is considered legitimate when A) its citizens believe that the government has the right to make policies and rules B) its citizens are actively involved in making decisions C) it holds regular elections D) it is recognized by other states and admitted to the United Nations E) it produces decisions that effectively solve the country's problems

A) its citizens believe that the government has the right to make policies and rules

Devolution in the United Kingdom has allowed A) separatist parties to have roles in Scotland and Wales B) the union of Ireland and Northern Ireland C) Scotland to join the European Union D) Northern Ireland to establish a separate state E) England and Wales to merge

A) separatist parties to have roles in Scotland and Wales

Which of the following data sources best measures economic inequality? A) The Gini index B) The Human Development Index (HDI) C) Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita D) Freedom House civil liberties score

A) the Gini Index

Which of the following best describes a regime change? A) A successful coup d'état occurs in which one political leader replaces another as head of state. B) A change occurs in a country's political institutions and practices, as from totalitarian to democratic rule. C) One longtime ruler dies or retires and is replaced by another, who in turn rules the country for a long period of time. D) A country's political leader is replaced by a competitor, either by election or by military force. E) An authoritarian ruler is defeated by military force, and a new leader emerges from the lower ranks of the military to replace the former ruler.

B) A change occurs in a country's political institutions and practices, as from totalitarian to democratic rule.

Which of the following accurately describes a similarity between the parliamentary system of the United Kingdom and the presidential system of Mexico? A) Both systems have separate popular elections for the chief executive and for the national legislature. B) Both systems have a cabinet that advises the chief executive. C) Both systems combine the lawmaking and executive functions into a single branch. D) Both systems have a chief executive that serves as head of state and head of government.

B) Both systems have a cabinet that advises the chief executive.

Which of the following is true of a presidential system? A) Policy making is more efficient in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system. B) Cabinet members operate more independently of the legislature in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system. C) Through checks and balances, a president has more power over the legislature than does a prime minister in a parliamentary system. D) Unlike a prime minister, a president may be impeached by a vote of no confidence by a majority of the legislature.

B) Cabinet members operate more independently of the legislature in a presidential system than in a parliamentary system.

Which of the following best explains different checks that legislatures have on the executive in the United Kingdom and Mexico? A) In the United Kingdom the prime minister is from the minority party and must work to form a coalition to govern, while in Mexico the majority party controls the executive and has no need to form a coalition. B) Even though the United Kingdom and Mexico have different types of political systems, in both countries the legislature can be a powerful check on the executive. C) In the United Kingdom a majority vote in the cabinet forces the resignation of the prime minister, while in Mexico the government is less stable because the president can call for a vote of no confidence at any time. D) In the United Kingdom the legislature controls domestic policy with little input from the prime minister, while in Mexico the executive has full control over domestic policy resulting in a less powerful legislature.

B) Even though the United Kingdom and Mexico have different types of political systems, in both countries the legislature can be a powerful check on the executive.

Which of the following is true of Iran's Supreme Leader? A) He reviews all laws to make sure they are constitutional. B) He has the power to appoint half of the members of the Guardian Council. C) He can be dismissed by the President for failing to act according to Islamic principles. D) His power is constrained by an active legislature with substantial investigative authority. E) Although he can serve for an unlimited number of years, he must face the voters every four years for reelection.

B) He has the power to appoint half of the members of the Guardian Council.

Which of the following statements correctly explains why Iran and China have different sources of authority? A) In China, constitutional reforms devolved powers to regional governments, while Iran has transitioned into a multiparty republic from an authoritarian regime. B) In China, the Communist Party controls the military, while Iran has an established theocracy in the executive branch. C) In China, election rules favor one party in presidential elections, while the Iranian government operates according to a written constitution. D) In China, there is an established theocracy in the executive branch, while Iranian election rules favor candidates from religious parties in presidential elections.

B) In China, the Communist Party controls the military, while Iran has an established theocracy in the executive branch.

Which of the following statements pertaining to the British constitution is true? A) It is based primarily on religious law. B) It consists of laws, customs, and conventions. C) It is extremely difficult to amend. D) It is comprised of a single written document. E) It is the oldest written constitution in the world.

B) It consists of laws, customs, and conventions.

Which of the following is the best description of Great Britain's Fixed-Term Parliaments Act of 2011 ? A) It establishes a maximum three-term limit for members of the House of Commons. B) It mandates that parliamentary elections must occur every five years starting in 2015. C) It prohibits the prime minister from serving more than two consecutive terms. D) It requires that Cabinet members resign their seats as sitting members of the House of Commons. E) It stipulates that males do not precede their elder sisters in the line of succession to the British throne.

B) It mandates that parliamentary elections must occur every five years starting in 2015.

Which of the following is a difference between a regime and a government? A) Regimes are typically replaced by democratic elections. B) Regimes typically endure from government to government. C) Authoritarian regimes typically have democratic governments. D) Governments typically endure from regime to regime.

B) Regimes typically endure from government to government.

Which of the following statements concerning Mexican and Nigerian politics is most accurate? A) The bureaucracies in Nigeria and Mexico must both reflect the countries' federal characters. B) Supreme courts in both countries can exercise judicial review. C) Both the Nigerian and Mexican presidents are limited to two terms. D) Party affiliation in both Mexico and Nigeria is strongly correlated with income levels. E) Only Mexico has a bicameral legislature.

B) Supreme courts in both countries can exercise judicial review.

Which of the following best describes how the president is removed in Nigeria? A) The Nigerian president is removed through a vote of no confidence in the parliament. B) The Nigerian president is removed through impeachment proceedings in the legislature. C) The Nigerian constitution does not allow the president to be impeached or removed from office. D) The Nigerian president can only be removed by the judiciary, based on British common law.

B) The Nigerian president is removed through impeachment proceedings in the legislature.

Which of the following events best explains how Nigeria's government maintained political legitimacy in 2015? A) Nigeria ratified a new national constitution. B) The opposition party won the presidential election and took power peacefully. C) The government ceded all of its oil rents to the control of European oil companies. D) Violence between populations of different religions ceased after a governmental treaty between rival regions.

B) The opposition party won the presidential election and took power peacefully.

Which of the following best describes democratic consolidation? A) When a political party is able to control both the legislative branch and executive branch, thereby consolidating its power B) When a democratic regime matures in its protections of civil rights and liberties and is thereby unlikely to revert to an authoritarian regime C) When a president is popularly elected by a majority of the population, thereby establishing a mandate D) When multiparty system gives way to a two-party system, thereby consolidating the number of political parties

B) When a democratic regime matures in its protections of civil rights and liberties and is thereby unlikely to revert to an authoritarian regime

The primary difference between a commander in chief in a democratic regime and a commander in chief in an authoritarian regime is that only in A) an authoritarian regime is the commander in chief in charge of the military B) a democratic regime is the commander in chief accountable to the citizens C) an authoritarian regime can the commander in chief use the military to enforce domestic law D) a democratic regime can the commander in chief be removed

B) a democratic regime is the commander in chief accountable to the citizens

The use of judicial review in the United Kingdom is limited because A) the United Kingdom lacks a written constitution B) judicial review is seen as violating the principle of parliamentary sovereignty C) the United Kingdom is a unitary state D) the United Kingdom lacks a system of checks and balances E) legal systems in the United Kingdom are structured on common law

B) judicial review is seen as violating the principle of parliamentary sovereignty

Different political parties can control the legislative and executive branches in Mexico and Nigeria because both countries have A) federal systems B) presidential systems C) democratic systems D) unicameral systems

B) presidential systems

The common law system, especially as practiced in Great Britain, is based on A) formal legal codes B) the use of precedents to guide legal decisions C) the idea that judges should interpret laws in ways that improve public policy D) a set of guidelines developed by a constitutional council E) an inquisitorial evaluation of a set of facts that is consistent with written statutes

B) the use of precedents to guide legal decisions

Which of the following best explains a consequence of the way power is distributed in a unitary system? A) Because power is diffused among several levels of government, responses to the needs of citizens are slower and often contradictory. B) Because power is shared equally between a national government and subnational governments, public policy is static and cannot change over time. C) Because power is concentrated in the national government with some distribution to subnational levels, policymaking is often efficient. D) Because power is centralized in one place, the national government makes all decisions and there are no other levels of government.

C) Because power is concentrated in the national government with some distribution to subnational levels, policy making is often efficient.

Which of the following explains a potentially negative consequence of executive term limits? A) Executive term limits undermine democracy. B) Executive term limits usually harm consistent application of rule of law. C) Executive term limits can force effective executives out of office. D) Executive term limits make the legislative branch too strong.

C) Executive term limits can force effective executives out of office.

Which of the following is an accurate explanation of an advantage of executive term limits? A) Executive term limits allow legislators to develop coherent policies over time. B) Executive term limits allow executives greater control over the legislative process. C) Executive term limits can prevent executives from consolidating power. E) Executive term limits can weaken accountability.

C) Executive term limits can prevent executives from consolidating power.

Which of the following is a properly matched comparison of Iran and Russia? A) Iran is an illiberal democracy, while Russia is a democratic regime. B) Iran has universal suffrage, while the president of Russia is appointed by the legislature. C) Iran is a theocracy, while Russia has been classified as an authoritarian regime. D) A military government rules in Iran, while Russia is a one-party state that allows no other parties to compete.

C) Iran is a theocracy, while Russia has been classified as an authoritarian regime.

Which of the following is true of the legitimacy of a government? A) It has a positive correlation with the use of brute force by the government. B) It decreases when the government becomes more representative. C) It has an inverse correlation with the use of brute force by the government. D) It decreases when the government becomes less secular. E) It decreases when an ethnic minority is voted into a leadership position.

C) It has an inverse correlation with the use of brute force by the government.

Which of the following countries maintained a dominant-party system until 2000 ? A) Iran B) China C) Mexico D) Nigeria E) Great Britain

C) Mexico

In which of the following sets do all states have federal governments? A) Mexico, Russia, and Iran B) China, Iran, and Great Britain C) Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia D) Nigeria, Russia, and Great Britain E) China, Iran, and Mexico

C) Mexico, Nigeria, and Russia

"The lower a state's socioeconomic development, the more likely it is that the state will experience political instability." This statement is an example of which of the following? A) Causation B) Positive or coinciding relationship C) Negative or inverse relationship D) Normative statement

C) Negative or inverse relationship

Which of the following countries has had an opposition party win a democratic election to take over the top executive office in government? A) Russia B) China C) Nigeria D) Iran

C) Nigeria

Which of the following countries has had an opposition party win a democratic election to take over the top executive office in government? A) Russia B) China C) Nigeria D) Iran

C) Nigeria

Which of the following best explains the role of the judiciary in China? A) The Chinese judiciary, informed by Confucian traditions, focuses on individualism, emphasizing protection of individual liberties. B) The Chinese judiciary is largely free and independent, resulting in judicial decisions that are impartial and seen as fair by all. C) The Chinese judiciary promotes rule by law instead of rule of law, resulting in a judicial system that is subservient to the Communist Party. D) The Chinese political system does not have a judiciary, making the legislative branch fully responsible for interpreting the laws it passes.

C) The Chinese judiciary promotes rule by law instead of rule of law, resulting in a judicial system that is subservient to the Communist Party.

Which of the following have veto power over legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) ? A) The Assembly of Religious Experts and the Expediency Council B) The Assembly of Religious Experts and the Guardian Council C) The Guardian Council and the Supreme Leader D) The Guardian Council and the president E) The president and the Supreme Leader

C) The Guardian Council and the Supreme Leader

Which of the following is a check on the executive in both a presidential and a parliamentary system? A) There may be imposed time deadlines on calling new elections. B) The lower house of the legislature may pass an impeachment resolution. C) The legislature may refuse to pass executive proposed legislation. D) The Supreme Court may remove the executive from office.

C) The legislature may refuse to pass executive proposed legislation.

Which of the following is crucial to a state's sovereignty? A) A one-party or dominant party system B) A one-party or dominant party system C) The right and power to govern itself without outside interference D) State control over all media outlets, including the Internet

C) The right and power to govern itself without outside interference

A theocracy is best described as a political system based on A) military authority B) maternal authority C) clerical authority D) popular sovereignty E) major party dominance

C) clerical authority

Unitary systems differ from federal systems in that unitary systems A) are found only in liberal democracies B) have a unicameral legislature C) guarantee no constitutional authority to subnational governments D) are typical of presidential systems E) give more power to subnational governments than to national governments

C) guarantee no constitutional authority to subnational governments

The primary purpose of the Question Hour in the British Parliament is to A) recall legislators who have lost the respect of the people B) propose new legislation C) hold government ministers accountable for their actions D) give interest groups the opportunity to appeal directly for public support E) permit the Prime Minister to respond directly to queries from the general public

C) hold government ministers accountable for their actions

A unitary system that has experienced devolution is different from a federal system because A) in a unitary system, subunits of government are not accountable to citizens B) in a unitary system, subunits of government have more authority C) in a unitary system, devolution can be revoked by the central legislature D) a unitary system has more political legitimacy E) only a unitary system experiences redistribution of resources among units of government

C) in a unitary system, devolution can be revoked by the central legislature

Nigeria's multistate structure was primarily designed to A) promote economic development B) reduce loyalty to the previous military regime C) splinter the power of its main ethnic groups D) mobilize higher voter turnout in local elections E) allocate resources from the federal government more directly

C) splinter the power of its main ethnic groups

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of a head of state and a head of government? A) A head of government generally serves as the leader in charge of conducting foreign policy, while a head of state serves as the leader with sole responsibility for executing domestic policy. B) A head of state serves as the chief executive responsible for enforcing laws and treaties, while a head of government serves as the leader of the legislature with sole responsibility for creating policy. C) A head of government generally serves as the symbolic political representative, while a head of state is the official responsible for running the government. D) A head of state generally serves as the symbolic political representative of the nation, while a head of government is the official responsible for running the government.1 MC point Which of the following is an accurate comparison of a head of state and a head of government? A) A head of government generally serves as the leader in charge of conducting foreign policy, while a head of state serves as the leader with sole responsibility for executing domestic policy. B) A head of state serves as the chief executive responsible for enforcing laws and treaties, while a head of government serves as the leader of the legislature with sole responsibility for creating policy. C) A head of government generally serves as the symbolic political representative, while a head of state is the official responsible for running the government. D) A head of state generally serves as the symbolic political representative of the nation, while a head of government is the official responsible for running the government.

D) A head of state generally serves as the symbolic political representative of the nation, while a head of government is the official responsible for running the government.

Which of the following explains why a country would choose a parliamentary system over a presidential system? A) A parliamentary system fuses its branches of government, which increases citizen participation since there are more elected offices. B) A parliamentary system divides governmental power between a central power and regional governments, so policy making is more effective. C) A parliamentary system allows citizens to directly elect its head of government, so it offers more accountability. D) A parliamentary system does not divide powers among as many branches of government, so it is more efficient.

D) A parliamentary system does not divide powers among as many branches of government, so it is more efficient.

Which of the following best explains an important step in the democratic consolidation process? A) Removing civil liberties from any group that protests against the government helps to maintain order. B) Establishing rule by law means government officials are treated like everyone else. C) Reducing public access to government documents allows for greater efficiency in decision making. D) Allowing for competitive and fair elections gives citizens the right to express their political opinions.

D) Allowing for competitive and fair elections gives citizens the right to express their political opinions.

Which of the following statements correctly explains why the United Kingdom and Nigeria have different sources of authority? A) Federalism is a source of rules and authority in the United Kingdom, while Nigeria has transitioned from an authoritarian regime into a multiparty republic. B) The Queen of England oversees the daily operations of the military in the United Kingdom, while Shariah law is used in all courts and the executive branch in Nigeria. C) Election rules favor one party in elections in the United Kingdom, while the Nigerian government operates according to a written constitution. D) Constitutional reforms devolved powers to regional governments in the United Kingdom, while election rules allow for a multiparty system in Nigeria.

D) Constitutional reforms devolved powers to regional governments in the United Kingdom, while election rules allow for a multiparty system in Nigeria.

Which of the following data sources would be the most appropriate to use to measure a country's protection of civil liberties? A) The Gini index B) The Human Development Index (HDI) C) Gross domestic product (GDP) D) Freedom House

D) Freedom House

Which of the following is an indicator of increased democratization in Nigeria? A) Increased restrictions on civil liberties B) More limits on suffrage rights C) Greater difficulty for candidates to get their names on the ballot D) Greater transparency of election results

D) Greater transparency of election results

Which of the following is an indicator of increased democratization in Nigeria? A) Increased restrictions on civil liberties B) More limits on suffrage rights C) Greater difficulty for candidates to get their names on the ballot D) Greater transparency of election results

D) Greater transparency of election results

Which statement below is an accurate description of the role of the military in Mexico and Nigeria in the past 50 years? A) In both systems, the military has often governed in lieu of civilian governments. B) In both systems, the military is torn by ethnic dissension, making the military very unstable. C) In both systems, the oil industry is in the hands of the military. D) In Mexico, the military has played a minor role in governing, while in Nigeria it has been actively involved. E) In Mexico, the military has ethnic minorities in it; in Nigeria, the military has been dominated by Islamists.

D) In Mexico, the military has played a minor role in governing, while in Nigeria it has been actively involved.

Which of the following sets of contrasts is true for all parliamentary and presidential systems? A) Parliamentary systems have many parties in the legislature, while presidential systems have only two. B) Parliamentary systems use proportional representation, while presidential systems do not. C) Parliamentary systems have an indirectly elected head of state, while presidential systems have a directly elected head of state. D) In parliamentary systems, the legislative and executive branches are fused, while in presidential systems they are separate. E) In parliamentary systems, the head of government has no constitutional powers, while in presidential systems the head of government has most of the power.

D) In parliamentary systems, the legislative and executive branches are fused, while in presidential systems they are separate.

Which of the following countries has a history of coups d'état and military rule during the past 50 years? A) China B) Iran C) Mexico D) Nigeria E) Russia

D) Nigeria

Which of the following is most likely to cause a regime change? A) Ethnic diversity B) Austerity measures C) An election D) Revolution

D) Revolution

Which of the following is most likely to cause a regime change? A) ethnic diversity B) Austerity measures C) an election D) Revolution

D) Revolution

Which of the following pairs of countries has a bicameral national legislature? A) Britain and Iran B) Mexico and China C) China and Russia D) Russia and Britain E) Iran and Nigeria

D) Russia and Britain

Which of the following best explains why, between general elections, the British prime minister is more likely than the president of Mexico to be replaced between general elections? A) British civil society typically protests more than Mexican civil society and often demands the resignation of the prime minister. B) The Mexican president can only be removed by a confidence vote, so the Mexican president tends to stay in power longer, as those votes are infrequent in Mexico. C) The British government is more prone to corruption than the Mexican government, so British prime ministers are more often removed from office for criminal activity. D) The British prime minister can be removed by members of Parliament (MPs), while the Mexican president can be removed only by the impeachment process.

D) The British prime minister can be removed by members of Parliament (MPs), while the Mexican president can be removed only by the impeachment process.

Which of the following are the two most powerful policy-making institutions in Iran? A) The President and the Assembly of Religious Experts B) The President and the Guardian Council C) The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) and the Prime Minister D) The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) and the Guardian Council E) The Expediency Council and the Assembly of Religious Experts

D) The Islamic Consultative Assembly (Majles) and the Guardian Council

Which of the following best explains why the policy-making process in the United Kingdom is usually more efficient than in Mexico? A) The separation of the roles of head of state and head of government in the United Kingdom, unlike the combination of the roles in Mexico, creates fewer institutional obstacles to enacting policy. B) The presence of two significant political parties in the United Kingdom, rather than three as in Mexico, creates fewer political obstacles to enacting policy. C) The presence of a greater number of significant social cleavages in Mexico than in the United Kingdom makes it difficult to achieve policy-making consensus. D) The fusion of executive and legislative power in the United Kingdom leads to fewer institutional obstacles to enacting policy, whereas the divided branch powers in Mexico make it more difficult.

D) The fusion of executive and legislative power in the United Kingdom leads to fewer institutional obstacles to enacting policy, whereas the divided branch powers in Mexico make it more difficult.

Which of the following is an effect of fused executive and legislative branches in parliamentary systems? A) The executive and legislative branches often have different policy goals. B) The judiciary has little to no power or impact as a political institution. C) The citizens have a more difficult time following political processes. D) The legislature can remove the executive without an impeachment proceeding.

D) The legislature can remove the executive without an impeachment proceeding.

Which of the following statements accurately describes the military in both China and Iran? A) The military was responsible for the establishment of the current regime. B) The military is apolitical and does not engage in political activities. C) The military is under the direct control of the president as commander-in-chief. D) The military has been used to suppress public demonstrations.

D) The military has been used to suppress public demonstrations.

Which of the following is often true about semi-presidential systems? A) The president is normally not very strong and has no constitutional powers, which makes the prime minister more powerful in policy making. B) The prime minister usually controls foreign policy, which means the president focuses strictly on the domestic economy. C) Semi-presidential systems almost always have devolved unitary systems, which frequently results in a divided government. D) The president usually nominates the prime minister, which implies that the prime minister would support the president's policy agenda.

D) The president usually nominates the prime minister, which implies that the prime minister would support the president's policy agenda.

Which of the following sets the overall state agenda, serves as commander in chief, and appoints half the Guardian Council and all members of the Expediency Council in Iran? A) The Assembly of Experts B) The prime minister C) The president D) The supreme leader

D) The supreme leader

Which of the following best explains how the government of the United Kingdom maintains political legitimacy despite the lack of a written constitution? A) By national mandate, the monarchy will be gradually phased out of power by elected representatives within the next two decades. B) A direct, popular election of the chief executive occurs every five years. C) There is public support of military leaders who take over political leadership in times of instability. D) There is a long-standing legal tradition of protecting civil liberties and representative government at the national level.

D) There is a long-standing legal tradition of protecting civil liberties and representative government at the national level.

A successful vote of no confidence in a parliamentary system means that A) new elections for the legislature are called B) the head of state will dissolve the national legislature C) all laws passed by the legislature in that session are voided D) the government steps down and a new government must be formed E) the heads of both state and government must step down from their posts

D) the government steps down and a new government must be formed

When a government shares information about policy making with citizens to ensure accountability, this is referred to as A) democratization B) political socialization C) regime stability D) transparency

D) transparency

Which of the following statements is true with regard to the judicial systems in Nigeria and Iran? A) Both systems reflect the British influence in following both codified and common law. B) Both systems are reflective of the Napoleonic influence and have only codified law. C) Both systems have elements of Shari'ah law incorporated into their judicial systems. D) Both systems reject the concept of human rights being protected by a constitution. E) Both systems forbid the use of lawyers to argue cases against the government's charges in criminal cases.

E) Both systems forbid the use of lawyers to argue cases against the government's charges in criminal cases.

Which of the following factors is correlated most closely with an individual's willingness to participate in politics in a democracy? A) Age B) Gender C) Personal economic situation D) Whether the individual's parents participated in politics E) Education level

E) Education level

Which of the following is true of a unitary system? A) It has no local or subnational governments at all. B) It constitutionally protects local and subnational governments. C) It must implement policy uniformly across subnational units. D) It is more decentralized than a federal system. E) It can have competitive local elections.

E) It can have competitive local elections.

According to the Chinese constitution, formal power of governing rests with the A) secretariat B) presidency C) Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party D) People's Liberation Army E) National People's Congress

E) National People's Congress

Which of the following is the best indicator of a successful transition to democracy? A) One political party dominates all institutions of government. B) Several political parties merge to form one centrist party. C) Chief executives dominate the political process. D) Judges defer to elected officials when interpreting the constitution. E) Political actors accept electoral competition, citizen participation, and rule of law.

E) Political actors accept electoral competition, citizen participation, and rule of law.

Which of the following is a feature shared by the political systems of Great Britain and Russia? A) Competitive multiparty elections B) Bicameral legislatures with two equal houses C) Supreme courts exercising judicial review D) Federalism marked by ethnicity-based regions E) Separate individuals serving as head of state and head of government

E) Separate individuals serving as head of state and head of government

Democratic consolidation requires which of the following? A) Direct election of the executive B) A system of judicial review by the courts C) Separation of powers among the different branches of government D) That a former colonizer help with political change E) That both elites and nonelites be committed to democratization in spite of difficulties

E) That both elites and nonelites be committed to democratization in spite of difficulties

Who selects the head of the British government? A) The departing prime minister B) The House of Lords C) A committee comprised of the majority and minority party MPs D) The electorate E) The majority party in the House of Commons

E) The majority party in the House of Commons

Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin gained their political authority and effective political power from which of the following? A) Their position as president or head of state B) The process of popular election C) Their close ties with former Soviet leaders D) The power, prestige, and wealth of their families in the precommunist era E) Their position as general secretary

E) Their position as general secretary

In Nigeria, Shari'ah law is part of the legal system in the A0 city of Lagos B) southwestern region C) capital region of Abuja D) eastern region E) northern region

E) northern region

Nigeria's democratization process is best described as a A) rejection of patrimonial rule B) smooth transition from colonial rule to self-rule C) successful effort to dismantle the prebendal system D) process imposed by the country's former colonial rulers E) process interrupted by frequent military intervention

E) process interrupted by frequent military intervention

Term limits in Iran

Supreme Leader - none President - two four year terms