PS 101 Chapter 5

Which of these following countries could be labeled a "fake democracy"? Select one: a. Germany b. Russia c. Iran d. Brazil

Russia

Which of these is the most significant cause for democratic failure? Select one: a. an elite-based educational system b. religious diversity c. a large number of interest groups d. lack of a middle class

lack of a middle class

Which of the following conditions, if true, might have prevented Germany from succumbing to totalitarian rule? Select one: a. the German government did more to respect property rights b. Communists were permitted to run against Nazis in elections c. Russia did more to counterbalance German militarization d. the Allies concluded a less punitive peace deal after World War I

the Allies concluded a less punitive peace deal after WWI

The economic performance of the totalitarian regime in the Soviet Union was undermined by __________. Select one: a. the influence of democratic values on Soviet society b. the development of non-Communist political parties c. a failure to expropriate enough property from the wealthy d. the routine corruption that comprised much of Soviet life

the development of non-Communist political parties

What evidence would pluralists most likely cite to support their claims that elites are ultimately accountable? Select one: a. the comparative wealth of most members of Congress b. the millions spent by corporations to back the major political parties c. the millions of dollars that tobacco firms have paid out in lawsuits and settlements d. tax cuts given to the richest 1 percent of the population

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

One benefit of a system with frequent alternation in power is __________. Select one: a. high citizen engagement in politics b. effective control over corruption c. a guarantee of economic growth d. peaceful use of civil disobedience

effective control over corruption

What do most political scientists point to as the catalyst of the recent wave of democratization in the Third World? Select one: a. economic modernization that allows for the emergence of a middle class b. increased use of the Internet in third world countries c. the success of planned economic policies d. the success of U.S. efforts to spread democracy abroad

economic modernization that allows for the emergence of a middle class

Which of the following represents the greatest threat to a newly formed democracy? Select one: a. a sharp increase in the size of the middle class b. a highly unequal distribution of wealth c. an insufficient supply of oil d. a large number of interest groups

a highly unequal distribution of wealth

What is the relationship between alternation in power and democratic elections? Select one: a. Both are heavily dependent on religion playing a minimal role. b. Both depend upon groups of citizens voting automatically for a given party. c. Both must have an element of uncertainty and fluidity. d. Neither one is usually accompanied by peaceful protest.

both must have an element of uncertainty and fluidity

More than half the world's nations are at least somewhat __________. Select one: a. theocratic b. democratic c. oligarchic d. authoritarian

democratic

The theory of the democratic peace asserts that democracies __________. Select one: a. usually win the wars they fight b. do not fight each other c. have weaker militaries than authoritarian regimes d. spend more money on social programs than defense

do not fight each other

A media that is critical of its nation's government is typically indicative of a __________. Select one: a. high degree of democracy b. successful one-party regime c. small amount of inequality d. healthy economy

high degree of democracy

In the United States, the press is often referred to as the "fourth branch of government" because __________. Select one: a. it is considered equally as powerful as the other three branches in its impact on government decisions b. of the cooperative arrangements made between the media and the other three branches c. of its key role in keeping government accountable to citizen demands d. of its constitutional obligation to keep citizens informed about public affairs

of its key role in keeping government accountable to citizen demands

Venezuela is which type of authoritarian regime? Select one: a. military b. personalistic c. limited monarchy d. dominant-party

personalistic

According to Dahl, threatening to jail someone for criticizing the government would be an example of __________. Select one: a. persuasion b. inducement c. power d. totalitarianism

power

Which of the following reforms would move a regime from a totalitarian system to an authoritarian system? Select one: a. power shifted from one leader to a small group b. the regime turned over control of the economy to the free market c. the regime created a written constitution d. the regime allowed more than one political party to compete in elections

power shifted from one leader to a small group

The main way that democratic governments are held accountable is through __________. Select one: a. civil disobedience b. dissident movements c. ballot initiatives d. regular electoral challenge

regular electoral challenge

In Iraq, governance is complicated and sometimes violent because people from different __________ tend to vote for different parties. Select one: a. religious groups b. age brackets c. genders d. economic classes

religious groups

Modern elite theorists are __________. Select one: a. social critics b. neoconservatives c. self-proclaimed libertarians d. evangelical Christians

social critics

States with which type of government regularly use organized terror and violence against citizens to maintain control and achieve goals? Select one: a. socialism b. illiberal democracy c. totalitarianism d. oligarchy

totalitarianism

Which of these occurred in many formerly colonized nations after World War II? Select one: a. Democracy was quickly replaced by authoritarianism. b. Elite colonizers occupied top government positions. c. Religious majorities established theocratic democracies. d. Authoritarianism was quickly replaced by democracy.

Democracy was quickly replaced by authoritarianism

Which statement explains how economics have transformed authoritarian regimes in recent decades? Select one: a. Growing economies have solidified personalistic dictatorships. b. Growing economies have spurred democratic transitions. c. Stagnating economies have spurred a return of totalitarianism. d. Stagnating economies have produced successful democratic revolutions.

Growing economies have spurred democratic transitions

Which leader showed an early form of authoritarianism by claiming "The state-that's me." Select one: a. King Louis XIV b. Adolph Hitler c. King Henry VIII d. Fidel Castro

Kind Louis XIV

Totalitarianism began with __________. Select one: a. Lenin's seizure of power in Russia b. Mussolini's seizure of power in Italy c. Mao Zedong's rise to leadership of the Chinese Communist Party d. Hitler's accession to the chancellorship of Germany

Lenin's seizure of power in Russia

Which statement differentiates the recent experiences of Poland and the Czech Republic from that of Hungary? Select one: a. Poland and the Czech Republic have shown authoritarian tendencies; Hungary has been open to democratic reforms. b. Poland and the Czech Republic have created stable regimes, whereas Hungary has been notably unstable. c. Poland and the Czech Republic have created kleptocracies, whereas Hungary has developed a military dictatorship. d. Poland and the Czech Republic have created lasting democracies; Hungary has shown shades of totalitarianism.

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

What German thinker argued that any organization, no matter how democratic its intent, ends up run by a small elite? Select one: a. Robert Dahl b. Thomas Hobbes c. Wright Mills d. Robert Michels

Robert Michels

Which statement provides evidence for the usefulness of social media in a democratic system? Select one: a. The U.S. press has been called "the fourth branch of government." b. Text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, and television media helped catalyze the "Arab Spring." c. Internet voting would lead to a significant increase in voter turnout. d. Bulletin boards were used by the organizers of the Tiananmen Square protests.

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

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? Select one: a. This is evidence that elections are becoming more expensive as campaigns get more sophisticated. b. The Supreme Court has undermined democracy by tilting elections in favor of moneyed interests. c. The Supreme Court should not have a say over campaign finance rules. d. This is evidence of greater political competition in an increasingly open society.

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

Which country has recently become more authoritarian? Select one: a. Cuba b. Venezuela Correct c. China d. Spain

Venezuela

Which country is a present-day example of a totalitarian regime? Select one: a. Iran b. North Korea c. China d. Vietnam

North Korea

Which feature of democracy may still exist in an authoritarian regime? Select one: a. freedom of the press b. majority decision making c. protection of minority rights d. periodic elections

periodic elections

What is the difference between "traditional" authoritarianism and totalitarianism? Select one: a. "Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political passivity and obedience rather than enthusiastic participation and mobilization. b. "Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political passivity and civil disobedience rather than enthusiastic participation and mobilization. c. "Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political activity and obedience rather than enthusiastic participation and mobilization. d. "Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political passivity and obedience rather than enthusiastic dissent.

"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? Select one: a. A stable democracy needs a rich elite to preserve the system. b. A stable democracy can only take hold in a society with a large and educated middle class. c. The power of the entrenched elites is the primary obstacle to democracy. d. Authoritarian systems don't have a stable middle class.

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

What is the main difference between autocratic regimes of the past and twentieth-century totalitarian regimes? Select one: a. Autocratic regimes demobilized their populations, whereas totalitarian regimes demanded mass mobilization and widespread participation by citizens. b. Autocratic regimes allowed more than one political party, whereas totalitarian regimes allowed only one. c. Autocratic regimes prevented citizens from owning firearms, whereas totalitarian regimes preferred to arm the citizenry. d. Autocratic regimes relied on organized terror to keep citizens obedient, whereas totalitarian regimes relied on official ideology.

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

Which statement represents a pluralist explanation for increases in defense spending? Select one: a. Increases in defense spending are typically random adjustments reflecting fluctuations in tax revenue. b. Defense spending increases when the public demands greater attention be paid to national security threats. c. Increases in defense spending mainly reflect intense lobbying by weapons manufacturers. d. Increases in defense spending reflect the personal preferences of elected officials.

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

Which statement explains the claim that "democracy does not always equal freedom"? Select one: a. Countries with struggling economies often have democratic governments. b. Even democratic elections can produce regimes that limit rights and freedoms. c. Democracies impose burdensome civic obligations on citizens. d. Civic disobedience is a common tactic used to bring change in democratic countries.

Even democratic elections can produce regimes that limit rights and freedoms

Which of these is a characteristic of authoritarian regimes but not totalitarian regimes? Select one: a. an official ideology b. hierarchical organization of command c. a monopoly on the legitimate use of force d. strict control over the media

Hierarchical organization of command

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? Select one: a. Political power tends to benefit those with money and connections. b. Economic growth requires reducing tax burdens on wealth creators. c. Elites are unaccountable to the population as a whole. d. The federal government has grown too large and powerful.

Political power tends to benefit those with money and connections

Which statement explains why democracies tend to fail in poor countries? Select one: a. Majorities in poor countries are fundamentally intolerant of other ethnic groups, and this is reinforced by poor educational standards. b. 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. c. The income of politicians is too low for them to produce positive social change and governments themselves are poorly structured. d. Totalitarian government places a much lower cost burden on society, and poorer citizens tend to favor dictators for the order they can impose.

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? Select one: a. Power in a kleptocracy is a means for distributing favors among privileged elites rather than an end in itself. b. Kleptocracies are secretly run by an oligarchy rather than by the official leader. c. Kleptocracies mainly function according to cultural and religious customs. d. The mass media in a kleptocracy is run by the middle class rather than the government.

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

What is the main difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism? Select one: a. Authoritarian regimes allow political parties to compete in elections while totalitarian regimes do not. b. State control is less significant under authoritarianism than under totalitarianism. c. Totalitarian regimes are more durable than authoritarian regimes. d. Totalitarian leaders are always military leaders while authoritarian leaders are often civilians.

State control is less significant under authoritarianism than under totalitarianism

Which statement describes "authoritarian capitalism"? Select one: a. The regime tightly controls markets but allows freedom of political activity. b. The regime engages in little regulation of markets but takes action to redistribute wealth. c. The regime allows markets to function in a mostly free way but retains a monopoly over political power. d. The regime owns most of the productive resources of the nation but allows consumers to make free choices.

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

Which of these are features of an all-encompassing ideology? Select one: a. an official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in complex terms, and claims of a perfect society b. an eclectic sense of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in complex terms, and claims of a perfect society c. an official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black-and-white terms, and claims of a perfect society d. an official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black-and-white terms, and acceptance of an imperfect society

an official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black and white terms, and acceptance of an imperfect society

Elite theorists and pluralists differ on whether or not __________. Select one: a. the concentration of power is inevitable b. democratic government produces better policies than authoritarian government c. elite rule produces economic growth d. any single group has a monopoly on the influence over government policies

any single monopoly on the influence over government policies

Which of these can be considered an example of direct democracy? Select one: a. The media openly criticizing elected officials b. Political candidates from different parties running for office c. A government holding free and fair elections at regular intervals d. Citizens voting on a ballot referendum

citizens voting on ballot referendum

A supporter of an authoritarian capitalist state would most likely justify this type of regime as a means of __________. Select one: a. transitioning toward democracy b. ensuring a rise in living standards c. preserving socialist equality d. calming ethnic tensions

ensuring a rise in living standards

What do authoritarian leaders seek from their citizens? Select one: a. acceptance of the state religion b. passivity and obedience c. enthusiastic participation d. acceptance of the official ideology

passivity and obediance

Petrostates are able to resist democratization by __________. Select one: a. paying foreign mercenaries to employ totalitarian methods of social control b. resisting the problem of brain drain experienced by underdeveloped nations c. providing the nation with the wealth needed to avoid popular discontent d. financing a successful propaganda operation to reinforce the official ideology

providing the nation with the wealth needed to avoid popular discontent

Which condition suggests that a state's elections are rigged? Select one: a. The regime controls most or all of the press in the country. b. The ruling party wins several consecutive elections. c. Socialist candidates almost always win. d. Elections are held more than once a year.

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

Right-wing totalitarianism tends to be focused on blocking __________. Select one: a. the outbreak of ethnic turmoil b. a fundamentalist movement c. the success of a leftist revolution d. a libertarian tilt in policy

the success of a leftist revolution