Comparative Politics Midterm 2

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Questions and Answers

Which system tends to be more prone to political instability?

Presidential system (correct)

Parliamentary system

Federal system

Unitary system

Closed-list proportional representation allows voters to influence the order of candidates elected.

False

What are the four features of an electoral system?

Electoral formula, ballot structure, district magnitude, and electoral threshold.

A __________ democracy emphasizes broad consensus in decision-making processes.

consensus Signup and view all the answers

Match the electoral feature with its description.

Electoral formula = The method used to convert votes into seats District magnitude = The number of representatives elected from a district Electoral threshold = The minimum percentage of votes needed to gain representation Ballot structure = The way in which voters cast their votes for candidates Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of gender quota?

Mandatory economic quotas Signup and view all the answers

Duverger’s Law states that single-member district systems tend to favor a two-party system.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is federalism and why might it be useful?

Federalism is a system of governance where power is divided between a central authority and smaller political units. It can be useful for accommodating diverse groups and providing local governance. Signup and view all the answers

Which electoral feature determines how many candidates can be elected in a district?

District magnitude Signup and view all the answers

Majoritarian electoral rules aim to ensure that the winning candidate receives more than 50% of the votes.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the three types of gender quotas?

Candidate quotas, reserved seats, and party quotas. Signup and view all the answers

A political system in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments is called __________.

federalism Signup and view all the answers

Match the type of democracy with its characteristics:

Majoritarian democracy = Focus on majority rule and swift decision-making Consensus democracy = Emphasis on broad agreements and coalition building Signup and view all the answers

What is Duverger's Law primarily concerned with?

The effects of electoral systems on party systems Signup and view all the answers

Closed-list proportional representation allows parties to decide the order of candidates that are elected.

True Signup and view all the answers

How do political scientists classify party systems?

Single-party, two-party, and multi-party systems. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Comparative Politics Exam 2 Study Guide

Exam Format: Exam 2, Friday November 22nd, 50 minutes. Four short answer questions (4-5 sentences). Fifteen multiple choice questions.
Focus: Topics discussed in class since Exam 1.

Key Questions to Study

Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems: Key differences and why some political scientists view presidential systems as more prone to instability.
Electoral Systems: Four features (formula, ballot structure, district magnitude, threshold). Explain each. Differentiate closed-list and open-list proportional representation (PR).
Electoral Rules & Party Systems: Majoritarian vs. proportional rules; Duverger's Law's impact on social cleavages and party systems. How political scientists classify party systems.
Gender Quotas: Three types and additional rules for effectiveness.
Majoritarian vs. Consensus Democracies: Institutions reflecting each view.
Federalism: Definition and reasons for its use. Characteristics of modern constitutions (entrenched/unentrenched and codified/uncodified).
Institutional Veto Players: Relationship between veto players and policy change. Number of veto players in the US and comparison to other countries.