Unit 3: Comparative Government and Politics Trivia!

What term describes associations that citizens join voluntarily that are independent and autonomous from the state?

• Political Efficacy

• Political Legitimacy

• Popular Sovereignty

• Civil Society

What term describes civil society groups that provided some similar services as a government provides?

• NGO

• Political Party

• Supernational organitzation

• Political system

Compared with a democratic regime, how is an authoritarian regime more likely to treat civil groups?

• By protecting the right of assembly even for groups opposed to the political party in power

• With mandatory registration and government monitoring

• With rules that promote pluralism

• By protecting the criminal due process rights of civil society groups

Answer explanation

Civil groups in authoritarian regimes are far more restricted.

Russia requires Civil Society groups receiving foreign funding to register as foreign agents.

Which of the following would a political scientist look at as the best indicator of democratization?

• Holding national elections on a regular basis

• Written protections of civil liberties

• Robust political culture of civil society group pluralism

• A written constitution with separate branches of government

Answer explanation

While the other choices are aspects of democratization, giving a voice to the people via civil society is the best.

Which of the following is defined by the collective beliefs by citizens about how their political system should operate?

• Political culture

• Political Legitimacy

• Political Efficacy

• Political party

When could a citizen’s decision to not vote in an election be viewed as political participation?

• Because the citizen was too busy to vote on election day.

• Because the citizen was part of a coordinated effort to boycott an election that was widely viewed as rigged.

• Because the citizen was disinterested in the election.

• Because the citizen forgot to vote on election day.

Answer explanation

A collected view of public groups to go against an election is part of political socialization.

Under which conditions is political violence most likely to occur?

• When a system of pluralism allows various factions to compete for a chance to shape policy making.

• When a system of federalism guarantees representation and power to different peoples of different regions.

• When a proportional representation system allows multiple parties to compete for a chance to control governing power.

• When citizens feel that more conventional options for political participation are ineffective or unavailable

Answer explanation

Violence is usually a last resort for citizens.

How might a totalitarian regime use governmental coercion in relation to political rallies and protests?

• With a political culture that allows citizens to not attend rallies without risk of being categorized as unpatriotic

• With laws that safeguard the independent content of public protests.

• By protecting the freedoms of citizens who protest to support candidates that rival the ruling party.

• By mandating that citizens attend a rally to show support for the governing party

Answer explanation

Totalitarian governments want to have complete control and show force around their message.

Which of the following most distinguishes elections in democratic regimes from elections in authoritarian regimes?

• The election occurs at a regularly scheduled time as directed by law or tradition

• The election is held for national office across the country at the same time

• The level of competitiveness between the ruling party and opposition parties

• The election results are publicly announced

Answer explanation

Without competition, an election is viewed as nondemocratic.

An illiberal democracy is likely to use what method as a way to minimizing protests that critique the government?

• By using time and place regulations for local security as reasons to not grant permits for public protests.

• By prohibiting all protests that critique the ruling party.

• By punishing all protests that critique the government.

• By censoring the Internet of all communications related to planned public protests.

Answer explanation

Illiberal democracies usually curtail certain political rights.