AP comparative unit 2

One similarity between Russia’s Duma and China’s National People’s Congress is that both have...

• Played a significant role in making policy

• Extensive minority representation

• Been dominated by one political party

• Banned women from becoming representatives

Answer explanation

China is known as a "One Party State," and Russia is known as a "One Party Dominant State." The Duma has been dominated by United Russia, and the NPC has been dominated by the CCP. 

Both judicial systems in Nigeria and Iran... 

• Reflect the British influence in following both codified and common law 

• Have elements of Shari'ah law 

• Reject the concept of human rights being protected by a constitution 

• Forbid the use of lawyers to argue cases against the government's charged in criminal cases

Answer explanation

In Nigeria, Shari'ah has been instituted as a main body of law in 12 Muslim-majority states (mainly in the North). Iran is a theocracy with its legal code based on Shari'ah.  

Which of the following is an accurate description of the Mexican judiciary? 

• Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

• Supreme Court justices are appointed to a life term.

• There is no functioning Supreme Court in Mexico. 

• Mexico’s judiciary does not have the power of judicial review.

Answer explanation

Supreme Court justices in Mexico are appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. They serve a term of 15 years.   

Who selects the head of the British government? 

• The electorate

• The departing prime minister

• The majority party in the House of Lords

• The majority party in the House of Commons

Answer explanation

The UK has a parliamentary system that fused the executive and legislative branches. The majority party of the House of Commons selects the Prime Minister.    

One difference between the parliamentary and presidential forms of government is that the presidential form… 

• Makes the executive electorally independent of other branches of government

• Ensures there will be no periods of divided government

• Makes the executive subject to a possible vote of no confidence by the legislature

• Creates a stronger sense of party discipline 

Answer explanation

The executive in a presidential system is independent from other branches. In a parliamentary system, the executive depends on the legislature. For example, Mexico's president is elected through plurality elections, but the UK's Prime Minister is selected by the legislature.     

The role of the executive in Nigeria is similar to that of the executive in Mexico in which of the following ways?

• The executive presides over a unitary system of government.

• The executive is limited to a single term in office.

• The legislature has a constitutional check on the executive

• The executive may be impeached by a two-thirds majority of the legislature

Answer explanation

In both countries, the legislature has various ways to check the executive. For example, in both Mexico and Nigeria, the Senate confirms presidential appointments.     

Which of the following explains a potentially negative consequence of executive term limits?

• Executive term limits make the legislative branch too strong.

• Executive term limits undermine democracy.

• Executive term limits usually harm consistent application of rule of law.

• Executive term limits can force effective executives out of office.

Answer explanation

One negative consequence of executive term limits is that successful, effective, popular executives still need to vacate the executive office upon the completion of their term limit.     

Which of the following is true of the cabinet in both Mexico and Nigeria?

• The courts must review all cabinet member nominations by the executive.

• The legislature must approve cabinet members nominated by the executive.

• Cabinet members must be members of the legislature.

• The cabinet is solely accountable to the executive branch.

Answer explanation

Cabinet members in both countries are nominated by the executive and must be approved by the legislature.  

Which of the following is an effect of fused executive and legislative branches in parliamentary systems?

• The legislature can remove the executive without an impeachment proceeding.

• The citizens have a more difficult time following political processes

• The judiciary has little to no power or impact as a political institution.

• The executive and legislative branches often have different policy goals.

Answer explanation

A vote of no confidence is sufficient to remove the prime minister. If a vote of no confidence is called from within the prime minister’s own party, he or she may be removed from power and replaced with someone else from the party without holding general elections.     

Which of the following is an accurate feature of the judiciary in China?

• There are no judges, only juries 

• Judges are accountable to the public that elects them

• The Supreme Court has the power to overturn an act of the National People's Congress

• There is no independent judicial review

Answer explanation

 The Russian president is the head of state, and the constitution grants the president greater authority than that of the prime minister.