Unit 4: Comparative Government and Politics Trivia!

Which of the following is true about Iran's political party system?

• Parties have ethnic quotas that affect representation in Iran's federal legislature. 

• One party controls the legislature.

• Iran lacks formal political party structures

• Iran has a multiparty system that is dominated by a religious party.

Answer explanation

Iran lacks formal political party structures. Parties operate as loosely formed political alliances with questionable linkage to constituents.

Which countries have a degree of competition within multiparty systems?

• Nigeria and Russia

• Mexico and the UK

• Mexico and Nigeria

• Nigeria and the UK

Answer explanation

Nigeria's multi party system includes 30 registered political parties with 2 strong parties. The UK's party systems 2 competitive parties, but minor parties are able to win some legislative representation.

Which of the following is an implication for competitiveness of the electoral process in Nigeria and Iran? 

• Iran's Guardian Council which encourages free and fair elections, and Nigeria's pattern of the incumbent winning. 

• Nigeria's independent electoral commission, and Iran's limits on who can run for office

• Both countries ban women from running in elections. 

• Nigeria's quotas for minority groups, while Iran reserves no seats for specific groups. 

Answer explanation

In 1998, the Nigerian government established an independent electoral commission to encourage competitiveness in elections. Iran's Guardian Council vets candidates that run for office, therefore limiting competition

How are legislative members chosen in China? 

• The NPC indirectly selects members through local elections

• The National People's Congress vets candidates that run for office to reduce competition. 

• Members are directly elected in single-member districts by plurality. 

• Members are appointed by regional governors. 

Answer explanation

The NPC members are chosen indirectly through a representative hierarchy system. Delegates are elected in local villages and go through a series of tiers until they are elected in the NPC. 

What is NOT an advantage of a proportional representation electoral system? 

• Proportional representation can promote two-party systems which allows for greater accountability

• Proportional representation results in all votes being translated to seat representation. 

• Proportional representation can increase the number of women and minority candidates

• Proportional representation can promote a multiparty system which allows for minority party representation. 

Answer explanation

Single-member district plurality systems promote two-party systems, not proportional representation.  

In which two focus countries do runoff elections occur if the presidential candidate does not win an absolute majority?

• Russia and Nigeria

• Russia and Iran

• Iran and Mexico

• Nigeria and Mexico

Answer explanation

In Iran and Russia, presidential candidates MUST win an absolute majority of the popular vote in either the 1st or 2nd round of voting. A runoff occurs if there is no winner in the 1st round.  

Which of the following is NOT an example of Mexico's transition away from a one-party dominant state? 

• Eliminating el dedazo, the process of the incumbent pointing to their successor

• Establishing the National Electoral Institute

• Banning the PRI party from nominating candidates in the presidential elections

• Privatizing state-owned corporations to decrease patronage

Which of these countries has had a dominant-party system since 2000? 

• Nigeria

• UK

• Iran

• Russia

Answer explanation

Russia’s United Russia has been a dominant-party in the twenty-first century, as it has won successive elections by large margins and has regulated elections and political participation in order to maintain its position

Which of the following accurately compares social movements?

• Both Iran's Green Movement and Mexico's Zapatista movement primarily responded to socioeconomic inequality. 

• In Nigeria, MEND protested unjust methods of oil distribution, while Iran's Green Movement protests electoral corruption.

• Mexico's Zapatista movement primarily advocated for fair elections, while Nigeria's MOSOP favored the establishment of an Islamist state. 

• Iran's Green Movement primarily favored separatism, while Nigeria's Boko Haram advocates for Shari'a law. 

Answer explanation

In Nigeria, MEND and MOSOP protested unjust methods of extraction and distribution of oil, while the Green Movement in Iran protested electoral corruption. 

Which of the following best describes pluralist systems?

• They use single peak associations to represent the business sector

• They support economic policies that are developed and run by the state.

• They allow the state to maintain control over citizen input and participation.

• They promote competition among autonomous groups not linked to the state

Answer explanation

Pluralism is a system of interest group representation that promotes competition among autonomous groups not linked to the state.