CHAPTER 5 - REGIMES

What German thinker argued that any organization, no matter how democratic its intent, ends up run by a small elite?

Robert Michels

What is the main difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism?

State control is less significant under authoritarianism than under totalitarianism

What do most political scientists point to as the catalyst of the recent wave of democratization in the Third World?

What do most political scientists point to as the catalyst of the recent wave of democratization in the Third World?

Which of the following represents the greatest threat to a newly formed democracy?

a highly unequal distribution of wealth

Which of these is the most significant cause for democratic failure?

lack of a middle class

In the United States, the press is often referred to as the "fourth branch of government" because __________

of its key role in keeping government accountable to citizen demands

According to Dahl, threatening to jail someone for criticizing the government would be an example of __________

power

Which of the following reforms would move a regime from a totalitarian system to an authoritarian system?

power shifted from one leader to a small group

Petrostates are able to resist democratization by _________

providing the nation with the wealth needed to avoid popular discontent

Modern elite theorists are __________.

social critics

Which of the following conditions, if true, might have prevented Germany from succumbing to totalitarian rule?

the Allies concluded a less punitive peace deal after World War I

What evidence would pluralists most likely cite to support their claims that elites are ultimately accountable?

the millions of dollars that tobacco firms have paid out in lawsuits and settlements

The economic performance of the totalitarian regime in the Soviet Union was undermined by __________

the development of non-Communist political parties

Which of these is a characteristic of authoritarian regimes but not totalitarian regimes?

hierarchical organization of command

A media that is critical of its nation's government is typically indicative of a __________

high degree of democracy

The main way that democratic governments are held accountable is through __________.

regular electoral challenge

More than half the world's nations are at least somewhat __________

democratic

The theory of the democratic peace asserts that democracies _________

do not fight each other

One benefit of a system with frequent alternation in power is __________

effective control over corruption

A supporter of an authoritarian capitalist state would most likely justify this type of regime as a means of __________

ensuring a rise in living standards

What is the main difference between autocratic regimes of the past and twentieth-century totalitarian regimes?

Autocratic regimes demobilized their populations, whereas totalitarian regimes demanded mass mobilization and widespread participation by citizens.

What is the relationship between alternation in power and democratic elections?

Both must have an element of uncertainty and fluidity.

Which of these can be considered an example of direct democracy?

Citizens voting on a ballot referendum

Which statement explains the claim that "democracy does not always equal freedom"?

Even democratic elections can produce regimes that limit rights and freedoms

Which leader showed an early form of authoritarianism by claiming "The state-that's me."

King Louis XIV

Totalitarianism began with _________

Lenin's seizure of power in Russia

Which country is a present-day example of a totalitarian regime?

North Korea

Recent Supreme Court decisions loosened restrictions on campaign spending, allowing billionaires to exert unprecedented influence over U.S. elections. Which statement represents the way an elite theorist would most likely evaluate this development?

The Supreme Court has undermined democracy by tilting elections in favor of moneyed interests.

Which of these following countries could be labeled a "fake democracy"?

Russia

Which country has recently become more authoritarian?

Venezuela

Which of these occurred in many formerly colonized nations after World War II?

Democracy was quickly replaced by authoritarianism.

Right-wing totalitarianism tends to be focused on blocking __________

the success of a leftist revolution

States with which type of government regularly use organized terror and violence against citizens to maintain control and achieve goals?

totalitarianism

What is the difference between "traditional" authoritarianism and totalitarianism?

"Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political passivity and obedience rather than enthusiastic participation and mobilization.

What does Barrington Moore's observation "No bourgeoisie, no democracy" imply about the requirements for stable democracy?

A stable democracy can only take hold in a society with a large and educated middle class.

Which statement represents a pluralist explanation for increases in defense spending?

Defense spending increases when the public demands greater attention be paid to national security threats.

Which statement explains how economics have transformed authoritarian regimes in recent decades?

Growing economies have spurred democratic transitions

Which statement differentiates the recent experiences of Poland and the Czech Republic from that of Hungary?

Poland and the Czech Republic have created lasting democracies; Hungary has shown shades of totalitarianism.

The wealthiest 1 percent of Americans received the biggest of the Bush administration's 2001 tax cuts. This fact provides the best support for which of these claims?

Political power tends to benefit those with money and connections

Which statement explains why democracies tend to fail in poor countries?

Poor countries tend to lack a vibrant middle class, education levels are low, pluralism functions poorly, and people have yet to be shaped by markets that normalize behavior.

What distinguishes a kleptocracy from other types of authoritarian states?

Power in a kleptocracy is a means for distributing favors among privileged elites rather than an end in itself.

Which statement provides evidence for the usefulness of social media in a democratic system?

Text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, and television media helped catalyze the "Arab Spring."

Which statement describes "authoritarian capitalism"?

The regime allows markets to function in a mostly free way but retains a monopoly over political power.

Which condition suggests that a state's elections are rigged?

The regime controls most or all of the press in the country.

Which of these are features of an all-encompassing ideology?

an official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black-and-white terms, and claims of a perfect society

Elite theorists and pluralists differ on whether or not __________

any single group has a monopoly on the influence over government policies

What do authoritarian leaders seek from their citizens?

passivity and obedience

Which feature of democracy may still exist in an authoritarian regime?

periodic elections

Venezuela is which type of authoritarian regime?

personalistic

In Iraq, governance is complicated and sometimes violent because people from different __________ tend to vote for different parties.

religious groups