Oxnard College » Political Science » Political Science 100 - Introduction to Politics » Fall 2021

Political Science 100 - Introduction to Politics » Fall 2021 » Chapter 5 Authoritarianism

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Question #1

Until relatively recently, which kind of state has been the most common in the world?

A. Libertarian states

B. Authoritarian states

C. Communist states

D. Anarchistic states

E. Democratic states

Question #2

Theocracies are notable due to what characteristic?

A. All decisions made collectively

B. Power concentrated in one person

C. Power concentrated in a small group of people

D. A lack of clear parliamentary control

E. A lack of any separation of church and state

Question #3

When the entirety of human history is considered, democracies, when compared to authoritarian governments such as monarchies, are which of the following?

A. Much more common

B. Slightly more common

C. Roughly as common

D. Slightly less common

E. Much less common

Question #4

On what criteria would authoritarian states outperform democratic states?

A. Dedication to the rule of law

B. The simplicity of decision making

C. Representation of multiple societal interests

D. Constitutional protections of liberties

E. Consideration of the lower classes

Question #5

Why are special interests more likely to slow state action in democracies than in autocracies?

A. Democracies are legally required to satisfy special interests before making policy.

B. Democracies are generally weaker governments than autocracies.

C. Autocracies are likely to suppress public criticism from special interests.

D. Unlike democracies, special interests are well represented in autocracies.

E. Unlike democracies, autocracies generally lack special interests.

Question #6

Democracies are more likely to be successful in what contexts?

A. Relatively prosperous and well-educated countries

B. Relatively prosperous and poorly educated countries

C. Relatively poor and well-educated countries

D. Relatively poor and poorly educated countries

E. Relatively poor and neither well-educated nor poorly educated countries

Question #7

An autocracy is a form of an authoritarian state with what kind of leadership?

A. A large group of military leaders

B. A large group of people representing society broadly

C. A small group of religious elites

D. A single ruler

E. A small group of economic elites

Question #8

An oligarchy is a form of an authoritarian state with what kind of leadership?

A. A small group of religious elites

B. A small group of economic elites

C. A large group of military leaders

D. A single ruler

E. A large group of people representing society broadly

Question #9

Following World War II, authoritarian regimes, like military dictatorships, were common in all of the following parts of the world EXCEPT which of the following?

A. The Middle East

B. Sub-Saharan Africa

C. Western Europe

D. North Africa

E. Asia

Question #10

Which of the following best describes a coup d'état?

A. A major policy change that frustrates the political opposition

B. A minor battle between two neighboring countries

C. A peaceful transition of power following a contentious election

D. An attempted seizure of governmental power by an alternate power group

E. A revision of the constitution that changes the procedural rules

Question #11

Which of the following is the main goal of authoritarian states?

A. Representing the policy preferences of organized interests

B. Maintaining a power monopoly

C. Preserving the rule of law

D. Avoiding international entanglements

E. Representing the policy preferences of the general public

Question #12

In what major way do authoritarian regimes differ from totalitarian regimes?

A. Authoritarian regimes are generally uninterested in the actions of the public except for their political actions, whereas totalitarian regimes seek to regulate all types of actions.

B. Authoritarian regimes are much less likely to be hereditary than totalitarian regimes.

C. Authoritarian regimes tend to be far more open to public criticism than totalitarian regimes.

D. Authoritarian regimes tend to be far more opposed to international criticism than totalitarian regimes.

E. Authoritarian regimes seek to regulate all types of public actions, whereas totalitarian regimes are generally uninterested in the actions of the public except their political actions.

Question #13

Despite the lack of political freedoms, in what way might authoritarian regimes be positive for the people?

A. Protecting the public from negative campaign advertisements

B. Preventing political and economic corruption

C. Reducing economic inequality

D. Minimizing the influence of the military on politics

E. Maintaining law and order

Question #14

What is a politburo?

A. A small group that makes final political decisions

B. An influential group of impartial economic advisers

C. A hereditary legislative body similar to the House of Lords in the United Kingdom

D. An influential group of military advisers

E. An alternative parliament made up of political dissidents

Question #15

Which Chinese leader is given the most credit for China’s rapid economic growth in international trade over the past three decades?

A. Deng Xiaoping

B. Mao Zedong

C. Wen Jiabao

D. Ayatollah Khomeini

E. Chiang Kai-shek

Question #16

In what major way are the United States and China both economically dependent on each other?

A. Both countries rely on Japan to buy their exports.

B. The United States purchases a lot of Chinese exports, whereas China funds much of the United States’ debt.

C. Both countries are heavily indebted to the World Bank.

D. The United States is reliant on China for most of its intellectual property development.

E. China purchases a lot of the United States’ exports, whereas the United States funds much of China’s debt.

Question #17

What are sovereign wealth funds?

A. They are investment funds held by the world’s monarchs.

C. They are state banks that tax international imports.

D. They are investment funds held by the world’s most powerful economic leaders.

E. They are state-owned investment funds, often made up of international assets.

F. They are economic tools used to regulate the amount of currency available in an economy.

Question #18

An anticorruption and prodemocracy movement in 1989 led to what action by the Chinese government?

A. Liberalization of speech and press freedoms

B. The establishment of democratically elected local governments

C. The creation of the Democracy Wall

D. The massacre in Tiananmen Square

E. Diplomatic relations with Taiwan

Question #19

When the Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1979, what type of government replaced him?

A. A presidential democracy

B. A hereditary monarchy

C. A theocratic autocracy

D. A parliamentary democracy

E. A socialist dictatorship

Question #20

Based on his observations of the Italian city-states of the 1600s, Machiavelli, in The Prince, offers what advice to would-be rulers?

A. It is good to deny the public constantly to emphasize control.

B. It is good to be merciful at all times to court public favor.

C. It is good to be feared and loved, but better to be loved.

D. It is good to be feared and loved, but only at the same time.

E. It is good to be feared and loved, but better to be feared.

Question #21

Modern autocrats often rely on what in order to gain legitimacy?

A. Personal charisma

B. Parliamentary support

C. Interest group advocacy

D. International support

E. Free elections

Question #22

Prior to the early 1990s, why was South Africa generally NOT considered a democratic nation?

A. South Africa operated a system of apartheid.

B. South Africa had a hereditary monarch.

C. South Africa prevented women from voting.

D. South Africa was ruled by a military general.

E. South Africa lacked a national constitution.

Question #23

Authoritarian rulers do not have to use mechanisms to frustrate their political opponents since they have all of the power in government.

A. TRUE

B. FALSE

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