POLI 340 Midterm 2
Approximately when was the era of persistent authoritarianism in the Middle East?
1970-2010
Which Northern African countries are major oil exporters?
Algeria and Libya
Female genital cutting (FGC) is:
Common in both non-Muslim and Christian-majority countries in the Nile Valley, West and East Africa, but is rare in most of the Middle East
Who or what are Salafists?
Conservative Islamists who favour a return to Islam as practiced in the time of the Prophet
In which Arab country did the "We Are All Khalid Said" Facebook page play a role in mobilizing youth opposition to the regime before and during the Arab Spring?
Egypt
In which country did the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces assume power following the resignation of the previous ruler?
Egypt
In which country is there a significant Coptic Christian minority?
Egypt
What Middle Eastern country was NOT part of a League of Nations Mandate?
Egypt
Which country had British troops stationed in it until the 1950s?
Egypt
The FJP, Ennahda, and PJD are Islamist parties in which three countries?
Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco
In Morocco, political party fragmentation helps the monarchy to retain power by:
Facilitating patronage and divide-and-rule tactics by the palace
In Egypt, the Salafist al-Nour party uses a rose on its election campaign posters symbolize:
Female candidates
In what order did uprisings against authoritarian rule sweep the Arab world?
First Tunisia, then Egypt, then Libya
Which Lebanese political parties are all members of the "March 14" coalition?
Future Movement Phalange Lebanese Forces
Who strengthened his political position by unilaterally annexing the Western Sahara?
Hassan II
When individuals act on the basis of the observed behaviour of others, rather than their own information, this is an example of:
Informational cascade
Where did Nouri al-Maliki recently step down as Prime Minister after facing domestic, US and Iranian pressure to do so?
Iraq
What arguments have been made to explain the electoral success of the Muslim Brotherhood in Egyptian elections in 2011-12?
It had a record of opposition to the Mubarak regime It was well organized prior to the revolution Many Egyptians found its socio-economic platform appealing Many Egyptians are quite religious
What characterizes the role of the Tunisian military?
It was reluctant to take an active part in repression during the protests of 201-11 It has not sought to take an active role in politics since the overthrow of Ben Ali
What best summarizes Jordanian political attitudes, as indicated by recent opinion polls?
Jordanians are unhappy with the state of the economy Jordanians are satisfied with the regime's handling of security issues
In which Middle Eastern monarchy must the King choose the Prime Minister from the party with the most seats in parliament?
Morocco
In which country did the Islamist PJD win a plurality of parliamentary seats in the 2011 elections, resulting in the party being asked to head the new government?
Morocco
In which country is the makhzen a key element of regime rule and political patronage?
Morocco
The monarchy in this country is the oldest in the region, and played an important role in the struggle against French colonialism. After the Arab Spring it introduced modest constitutional reforms that limited the ability of the King to choose the Prime Minister. Which country is this?
Morocco
Which Egyptian president was overthrown in a military coup?
Morsi
Which of the following best characterizes the 2012 elections in Egypt that saw Mohamed Morsi elected President?
Morsi narrowly defeated a former Mubarak loyalist, Ahmed Shafi
Which authoritarian Egyptian president continued the policies of his predecessor, maintaining close relations with the US, slightly opening up the political system, and undertaking greater liberal reform?
Mubarak
What describes Ennahda?
Muslim democratic political party in Tunisia
Which Egyptian president became an influential advocate of Arab nationalism?
Nasser
Which Tunisian secularist political party, partly comprised of former supporters of the Ben Ali regime, grew in strength in 2013-14?
Nidaa Tounes
What would describe the position of a "contextualist" with regard to the importance of political culture?
Politics are better as being shaped by structural factors (like the economy) rather than attitudes
Although X dislikes the regime, fear leads her to express different views in public. Which concept best describes her behaviour?
Preference falsification
When interviewed in a public opinion survey, person Z is concerned that their pro-opposition political views might become known to the secret police of their authoritarian country. Consequently they instead express support for the regime. Which term best describes this?
Preference falsification
What committee of senior military officers sought to guide Egypt's political transition following the resignation of Husni Mubarak?
SCAF
Which Egyptian president moved closer to the West, negotiated peace with Israel and gradually opened up the Egyptian economy?
Sadat
This country was assigned to Britain as a League of Nations mandate. The British also established the local monarchy. Which country is it?
Transjordan (Jordan)
In which country did the victorious Islamist party form a governing coalition with two smaller secular parties following elections in 2011?
Tunisia
In which country was a 50% zipper quota adopted to increase the representation of women in the legislature?
Tunisia
Which country has long had the most liberal and secular personal status laws?
Tunisia
The RCD and NDP are the former pro-regime political parties in which countries (respectfully)?
Tunisia and Egypt
Which UN organization deals with Palestinian refugees?
UNRWA
Which factors best explain variations in state policies towards refugees?
State capacity Demographic politics Economy Ideology
In exchange for the Arab Revolt against Turkey, Britain promised:
Support for post-war Arab independence
In which regimes would one have found "non-sectarian sectarianization" in the 1990s?
Syria and Iraq
Public opinion polls in Tunisia suggest that most citizens view which issue as their top concern?
Unemployment and the economy
Public opinion polls suggest that, compared to men:
Women support Islamist parties at around the same rate as men
Where would you find the Houthi rebellion?
Yemen
According to Beyond the Arab Spring, which of the following statements is NOT true about studies of the political culture of the Middle East? a) Opinion surveys have shown a strong statistical correlation between Muslim religiosity and attitudes towards democracy b) Public opinion surveys show that support for democracy is generally quite high across the region c) Cross-national large-n studies have shown a significant statistical correlation between the Arab or Muslim identity of a country and the likelihood of it having an authoritarian political system d) Studies such as described in © may be confusing "neighbourhood" effects with cultural ones e) In recent years, more and more opinion survey data has become available on the region, although coverage is still uneven
a) Opinion surveys have shown a strong statistical correlation between Muslim religiosity and attitudes towards democracy
What would be the best example of "defensive modernization"?
The Ottoman tanzimat
What elements were part of Lebanon's 1943 "National Pact"?
The President must be a Maronite Christian The Prime Minister must be a Sunni Muslim Parliamentary seats were to be assigned of a 6:5 ratio of Christians to Muslims
On what three issues did Gregory Gause III suggest scholars of the Arab world should "re-examine their assumptions"?
The military's role in Arab politics The effects of economic change on political stability The importance of transnational Arab identity
On what three issues did F. Gregory Gause III suggest scholars of the Arab world should "re-examine their assumptions"?
The military's role in Arab politics The effects of economic change on political stability The importance of transnational Arab identity
The Hadith are an important sources of Islamic law. What are they?
The reported sayings of the Prophet Muhammad
Which of the following would be an example of the "deep state" in Egypt?
The security forces The Mubarak-appointed judiciary Much of the state bureaucracy
During the Arab Spring in Tunisia, why was the participation of intermediate actors like the UGTT and lawyer's syndicate important?
They added greater weight and credibility to the protests
Which of the following is NOT true about the "February 20" movement in Morocco: a) It emerged in response to the Arab Spring, and events in Tunisia and elsewhere b) it called for greater democracy as well as economic reforms c) it represented a broad coalition, with Moroccan youth playing a key role d) it has been weakened by a combination of government reform, intimidation, and political cooptation e) it formed a highly successful political party to contest the 2011 elections
e) it formed a highly successful political party to contest the 2011 elections
Which of the following was NOT identified in class as a possible reason why "Arab Spring" protests in Algeria were limited and had little effect: a) Algeria's diffuse power structure b) a divided opposition c) low social trust (in part, a legacy of the civil war) d) post-Qaddafi violence in Libya, civil war in Syria, and other failed "Arab Spring" transitions e) strong support for the regime from France and the Gulf Cooperation Council
e) strong support for the regime from France and the Gulf Cooperation Council
The Ottoman Empire's system of limited self-government for religious minorities was known as the:
Millet system
Who has supported the Houthi insurgents in Yemen?
Military units loyal to former President Salih Zaydi (Shi'ite) Muslims Iran
Who are the ruling family of Kuwait?
Al Sabah
In which Arab country has Berber political activism been most significant?
Algeria
In which country is the term "le pouvoir" used to refer to the shadowy political elite of senior generals and others within the regime?
Algeria
What best describes "non-sectarian sectarianization"?
A leader relies on a local support base drawn from his extended family, local region, and religious group State ideology officially rejects sectarianism
Who was Ataturk?
A modernizing, secular leader of post-WWI Turkey
In which country were parliamentary elections in 1991-92 cancelled by the military, resulting in a decade of bloody civil war?
Algeria
Which North African country experienced the longest and most intense period of colonial rule?
Algeria
What was the Sykes-Picot Agreement?
A secret agreement in 1916 to divide the former Ottoman territories of the Middle East between Britain and France
Which emirate controls the largest share of oil wealth in the UAE?
Abu Dhabi
Who are the ruling family of Bahrain?
Al Khalifa
The Ottoman Empire first arose where?
Anatolia (Turkey)
In most countries in the Middle East, female labour participation rates:
Are lower than global averages
Which Arab political party/movement called for "unity, freedom, and socialism"?
Ba'th Party
Which Gulf state has the largest Shiite population?
Bahrain
Which two Gulf monarchies had the strongest parliamentary institutions in the years immediately following independence?
Bahrain and Kuwait
Upon assuming power in July 2000, Syrian President Bashar al-Asad:
Briefly allowed greater freedom for civil society, before shutting down his limited experiment with political liberalization
In which Arab country have the past two decades seen a continual tug-of-war between the palace and parliament over the extent of parliamentary power?
Kuwait
This term is sometimes used in Algeria to refer to powerful elites in the security services and ruling party, who are believed to exercise considerable political influence behind the scenes of the regime:
Le pouvoir
What dispute precipitated the historical and religious split between Sunnis and Shiites?
Leadership of the Muslim community after the death of the Prophet
In which country has the government opposed the establishment of refugee camps for Syrian refugees, fearing they might become permanent?
Lebanon
Which countries have the largest Christian minorities?
Lebanon and Syria
In which country did the pre-2011 regime distrust strong political institutions?
Libya
In which country were political parties and other political institutions LEAST developed on the eve of the Arab Spring?
Libya
Which country currently has two rival parliaments, and a proliferation of local armed militias largely beyond state control?
Libya
This term was originally used to refer to the sultan's court in Morocco, although today it is used to refer to royal patronage and the political an economic elites associated with this.
Makhzen
Which of the following points is NOT made in the chapter on "New Horizons in Arab Politics" in Beyond the Arab Spring: a) capitalist penetration of the Middle East undermined the democratic regimes of the post-colonial era b) the 9/11 terrorist attacks were followed by a brief period of Western interest in Middle East democratization c) by the end of the 1990s, many scholars of the Middle East had grown increasingly doubtful about the immediate prospects for democratization in the region d) some scholars focused on the "authoritarian upgrading" of Middle East regimes whereby they adapted to changing political, social, and economic conditions e) the so-called "third wave" of democratization never really reached the shores of the Middle East
a) capitalist penetration of the Middle East undermined the democratic regimes of the post-colonial era
Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Jordanian economy a) It has depended heavily on foreign aid and remittances from Jordanians working abroad b) Growth in the private sector has tended to favour East Bankers (Transjordans) c) Debt and austerity measures in the late 1980s sparked both protests and political liberalization d) There has been limited economic reform under King Abdullah, largely aimed at increasing and diversifying trade e) Jordan is a major recipient of development and military aid from the US
b) Growth in the private sector has tended to favour East Bankers (Transjordans)
Which of the following elements was NOT part of Lebanon's 1943 "National Pact"? a) President must be a Maronite Christian b) Prime Minister must be a Shiite Muslim c) parliamentary seats were to be assigned a 6:5 ratio of Christians to Muslims d) Lebanon would seek neither French protection nor unification with Syria e) Lebanon would be an independent country with an Arab orientation
b) Prime Minister must be a Shiite Muslim
Which of the following points is made in the chapter on "New Horizons in Arab Politics" in Beyond the Arab Spring: a) The 1990s were a period of growing political instability b) The 9/11 terrorist attacks were followed by a brief but temporary period of Western support for Middle East democratization c) Scholars have underestimated the loyalty of Arab security forces to their leaders d) Economic factors played little role in the overthrow of regimes e) Iran has emerged as a major beneficiary of post-2011 political instability in the Middle East
b) The 9/11 terrorist attacks were followed by a brief but temporary period of Western support for Middle East democratization
Which of the following is true? a) The PUK (dominated by the KNC and PKK) generally favour the KNC over the PKK-aligned KRG b) The KRG (dominated by the PUK and KDP) generally favour the KNC over the PKK-aligned PYD c) The KRG (dominated by the PKK and KDP) generally favour the KNC over the PUK-aligned PYD d) The PKK (dominated by the KNC and PYD) generally favour the KDP over the PUK-aligned KRG e) The PYD (dominated by the PUK and KDP) generally favour the KRG over the PKK-aligned KNC
b) The KRG (dominated by the PUK and KDP) generally favour the KNC over the PKK-aligned PYD
Which of the following is NOT a political consequence of Jordan's current electoral law? a) Districts are gerrymandered so as to over-represent the more loyal East Bank population b) Elections tend to elect large numbers of independents and traditionalist, and fewer candidates from political parties- thus increasing the leverage that can be exercised by the palace c) A 50% zipper quota assures the election of a large number of women candidates, thereby weakening the parliamentary power of the Muslim Brotherhood d) The "one person, one vote" system in multi-member constituencies makes it difficult for political parties to win large numbers of seats e) The "one person, one vote" system tends to favour tribal candidates, with many voters likely to cast their only vote for a candidate with whom they have personal, family, or tribal connections
c) A 50% zipper quota assures the election of a large number of women candidates, thereby weakening the parliamentary power of the Muslim Brotherhood
Which of the following is NOT true about ISIL? a) It has roots in al-Qaida in Iraq b) It has control over Raqqa and much of central/eastern Syria c) It enjoys good relations with most other Syrian opposition groups d) It is a Salafi jihadist movement e) It seeks to build an Islamic State/ Caliphate
c) It enjoys good relations with most other Syrian opposition groups
Which of the following statements is NOT true about the Palestine Liberation Organization? a) When founded in 1964 the PLO was heavily influenced by Egypt and other Arab regimes b) It was taken over by Palestinian nationalist guerilla groups after the 1967 war c) Its largest PLO groups today are Fateh and Hamas d) Its goals have shifted over time from the establishment of a single non-sectarian state in all of historic Palestine to the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank and Gaza alongside Israel e) PLO returnees played an influential role in the new Palestinian Authority after it was first established in 1994
c) Its largest PLO groups today are Fateh and Hamas
According to the textbook chapter on Syria by Raymond Hinnebusch, which of the following was NOT characteristic of Bashar al-Asad's "post-populist reform"? a) He sought to modernize and upgrade Syrian authoritarianism b) Private capital investment was seen as the only solution to Syria's poorly-performing statist economy c) The Ba'th Party was given greater powers so that it could promote market liberalization? d) Policies were adopted to make Syria more investor-friendly e) Many reforms were not fully implemented due to bureaucratic inertia and resistance
c) The Ba'th Party was given greater powers so that it could promote market liberalization
Which of the following is NOT true about US military support for the Syrian Kurds (YPG)? a) US support angers Turkey, which views the YPG as closely linked to the PKK, a Kurdish group currently in conflict with the Turkish government b) the YPG has shown considerable military effectiveness on the battlefield against ISIS c) US support angers many in the Syrian opposition, who are suspicious of the YPG's Kurdish agenda and who view it as tacitly allied with the Syrian regime in some areas d) both Israel and Saudi Arabia strongly favour US support for the YPG as a way of weakening and dividing Syria e) both (c) and (d)
d) both Israel and Saudi Arabia strongly favour US support for the YPG as a way of weakening and dividing Syria
Which of the following is NOT true about the military in Arab political systems? a) in Egypt, the military pressured Mubarak to resign so that it could protect its own position b) in Egypt, the military sought to stage-manage the transitional process through the SCAF, and ultimately overthrew the elected government when they felt it could no longer be controlled c) in Libya, about one third of the army supported Qaddafi, about one third supported the opposition, and about one-third went home d) in Morocco, military support for the monarchy has always been strong and unwavering e) in Tunisia, the military refused to engage in widespread repression to keep Ben Ali in power
d) in Morocco, military support for the monarchy has always been strong and unwavering
Which of the following best describes the relationship between repression and political protest: a) violent repression causes greater public protest b) violent repression reduces public protest c) violent repression has surprisingly little effect on public protest d) it's complicated
d) it's complicated
Which of the following statements about public service delivery in Iraq is NOT true? a) electricity and heath are among the sectors that generate the most public discontent b) political corruption plays a major role in the poor quality of public services c) officials have appropriated government resources and created patron-client networks thereby undermining public sector development d) Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi has announced some reforms to address corruption e) ISIS control of the main oilfields has severely depleted the state budget, weakening service delivery
e) ISIS control of the main oilfields has severely depleted the state budget, weakening service delivery
Which of the following arguments about the new Arab media is NOT made in Beyond the Arab Spring? a) The new media has helped civil society activists to expose Arab regimes as something less than all-powerful b) Al-Jazeera has often served as a tool of Qatari foreign policy c) The new Arab media is shaping both regional permeability and Arab identity d) While not a cause, the new Arab media was certainly an "enabling factor" in the Arab Spring e) In Lebanon and Iraq, the media has often helped to dampen sectarian tensions
e) In Lebanon and Iraq, the media has often helped to dampen sectarian tensions
Which of the following is NOT true about current politics in Libya: a) UN mediation has led to the establishment of a "Government of National Accord" b) not all groups accept the authority of the GNA c) the US, UK, and France are supporting military operations against ISIS in Sirte and Derna d) many oil facilities are no longer under central government control e) because of violence in Tripoli, Benghazi has been established as the new, temporary capital of the country
e) because of violence in Tripoli, Benghazi has been established as the new, temporary capital of the country