Political Science 100 - Introduction to Politics » Fall 2021 » Chapter 7 Parliamentary Dem

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Question #1
What is a parliamentary system of government?
A.   A system of government led by a president, who is considered to be more powerful than the parliament
B.   A system of government with two distinct chambers of the legislature
C.   A system of government where parliament is led by a prime minister, who is the head of the government
D.   A system of government where the power is divided among three equal branches of government
E.   A system of government led by a president, who is appointed by the parliament
Question #2
Why would Aristotle characterize the British government as a mixed system?
A.   Because the system lacks a single all-powerful leader
B.   Because the system is generally moderate in character
C.   Because the system includes democratic and aristocratic elements
D.   Because the system has different chambers for the different social classes
E.   Because the system includes both a president and a prime minister
Question #3
In the modern era in Great Britain, which chamber of parliament is considered supreme?
A.   The House of Burgesses
B.   The Chamber of Deputies
C.   The House of Commons
D.   The House of Lords
E.   The Senate
Question #4
How often are national elections held in Great Britain?
A.   At least every ten years, unless the majority party fails a confidence vote
B.   Every six years in November
C.   Every four years in November
D.   Only when the majority party fails a confidence vote
E.   At least every five years, unless the majority party fails a confidence vote
Question #5
Which of the following might explain the higher degree of party line voting in Great Britain than in the United States?
A.   The unitary system of government
B.   The parliamentary system, especially no-confidence votes
C.   The absence of a president to unify the nation
D.   The presence of strong religious differences in voting
E.   The calming influence of a hereditary monarch
Question #6
Who is the head of state in Great Britain?
A.   The king or queen
B.   The Speaker of the House
C.   The prime minister
D.   The Archbishop of Canterbury
E.   The president
Question #7
In comparison with Italy’s parliament, Great Britain’s parliament could be described as what?
A.   Highly unstable
B.   Far more ideologically extreme
C.   Highly stable
D.   Much less representative of the lower classes
E.   Roughly equally stable
Question #8
What was the main political change in France between the Fourth Republic (1946–1958) and the Fifth Republic (1958–present)?
A.   The executive branch was made stronger relative to the legislature.
B.     
C.   The judicial branch was made stronger relative to the executive branch and the legislature.
D.   The legislature was made stronger relative to the executive branch.
E.   The power of each part of the national government was reduced.
F.   The legislature and the judicial branch were made stronger relative to the executive branch.
Question #9
Although the French parliament is bicameral, which branch is considered to be the more powerful?
A.   The National Assembly
B.   The House of Lords
C.   The House of Burgesses
D.   The House of Commons
E.   The Chamber of Delegates
Question #10
After the political reforms that started the Fifth Republic, France had the potential of a divided executive. What is meant by this term?
A.   A situation where the president lacks strong support among the public
B.   A situation where the prime minister and the president are of different parties or ideologies
C.   A situation where the president lacks strong support from his or her cabinet
D.   A situation where the prime minister lacks strong support from his or her parliamentary party
E.   A situation where the prime minister lacks strong support among the public
Question #11
Which Russian leader is given much of the credit for the opening of relations between the Soviet bloc and the Western countries?
A.   Gorbachev
B.   Putin
C.   Stalin
D.   Khruschev
E.   Lenin
Question #12
What was the primary reason for the adoption of federalism in Germany?
A.   To reflect the historical regionalism of Germany
B.   To increase administrative efficiency
C.   To prevent the over-centralization of power
D.   To increase potential access points for special interest groups
E.   To decrease the risk of economic overregulation
Question #13
The chancellor in Germany is most similar to what position in other parliamentary democracies?
A.   Minister for the economy
B.   Minority leader
C.   King or queen
D.   President
E.   Prime minister
Question #14
Although the German parliament is bicameral, which branch is considered to be the more powerful?
A.   House of Burgesses
B.   House of Common
C.   The National Senate
D.   Chamber of Delegates
E.   Bundestag
Question #15
Since 1949, what have been the two main parties in Germany?
A.   The Christian democrats and the Greens
B.   The Social democrats and the communists
C.   The Social democrats and the Greens
D.   The Social democrats and the Christian democrats
E.   The Christian democrats and the Free Democrats
Question #16
Why does the German constitution, the Basic Law, so prominently protect civil liberties?
A.   In order to be compliant with European Union regulations
B.   As the result of long-term political advocacy by civil libertarians
C.   In response to the historical experiences of Nazi Germany
D.   Because it was required to do so by the United States when Berlin was reunified
E.   Because it was required to do so by the European Court of Human Rights
Question #17
How did German chancellor Merkel respond to the euro crisis that started in 2007–2008?
A.   She pushed for big increases in government spending to stimulate the economy.
B.   She pushed for cuts to government spending and monetary and fiscal reforms.
C.   She did not respond, believing it to be a purely national issue.
D.   She encouraged significant increases in immigration to stimulate the economy.
E.   She encouraged the European Union to expel some of the member states responsible for the crisis.
Question #18
What was the Meiji Restoration?
A.   The beginning of Japan’s feudal era, when the emperor empowered a series of local aristocrats
B.   The beginning of Japan’s parliamentary era, when the emperor was abolished
C.   The end of Japan’s presidential era, when a new parliament was created
D.   The end of Japan’s feudal era, when the United States wrote a new constitution based on their constitution
E.   The end of Japan’s feudal era, when a new emperor and bureaucracy were established
Question #19
Which political party has largely dominated Japanese politics since 1955?
A.   The Liberal Democratic Party
B.   The Republican Party
C.   The Free Democrats Party
D.   The New Democratic Party
E.   The Social Democratic Party
Question #20
Although India’s parliament is bicameral, which chamber is considered to be supreme?
A.     
B.   Council of Revisions
C.   Chamber of Deputies
D.   Lok Sabha
E.   House of Representatives
F.   House of Delegates
Question #21
What is the primary goal of Zionism?
A.   An end to anti-Semitism in western Europe
B.   To establish and support a Jewish state of Israel
C.   The promotion of Jewish history in schools
D.   The creation of the United Nations and the prevention of future world wars
E.   To help displaced Jewish families return to their homes in eastern Europe
Question #22
What was the significance of the Camp David Accords?
A.   They established peace between Egypt and Israel and affirmed the right of Israel to exist.
B.   They ended the protracted war between Iraq and Iran.
C.   They established peace between Iraq and Israel and affirmed the right of Israel to exist.
D.   They ended the first Intifada and reduced violence in Israel.
E.   They prevented Saudi Arabia from taking over the West Bank.
Question #23
Why is the political structure of the Knesset problematic?
A.   Elections are often suspended due to violence.
B.   The prime minister holds dictatorial-level powers.
C.   Elections are highly proportional, leading to large, unwieldy coalitions.
D.   The president can suspend the Knesset with little warning.
E.   Committees are very powerful and can delay major legislation for years.

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