Electoral Systems and Democracy

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Questions and Answers

What is a key characteristic of free and fair elections?

Majoritarian systems are preferred.

Voting procedures lack oversight.

Participation is limited to certain demographics.

Universal suffrage allows few limitations on participation. (correct)

Which of the following best describes the importance of electoral reforms?

They restrict competition for office.

They make elections less transparent.

They are unnecessary in authoritarian regimes.

They enhance the legitimacy of the electoral process. (correct)

Which aspect is NOT necessary for elections to ensure democracy?

Regular intervals between elections.

Non-violent conduct of elections.

Maximized engagement among citizens.

High levels of media control. (correct)

What mechanism is essential to ensure fairness in the electoral process?

Secret ballot implementation. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of majoritarian electoral systems?

They create 'winner-take-all' scenarios. Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'structural power' illustrate?

The impact of social arrangements and collective forces. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes 'discursive power'?

It involves shaping perceptions and preferences to prevent conflict. Signup and view all the answers

How did traditional gender norms in Western society affect women's salary negotiations?

Women often undervalue themselves due to societal beliefs about assertiveness. Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of the Doctrine of Discovery?

It justified European claims over land inhabited by 'uncivilized' peoples. Signup and view all the answers

How does Peter R. Russel define 'sovereignty'?

As a constructed claim created by human purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What are the key principles of Indigenous sovereignty?

Economic principles of reciprocity and sustainability. Signup and view all the answers

What role did the Peace of Westphalia play in sovereignty?

It established the notion of full territorial sovereignty for states. Signup and view all the answers

How does Indigenous sovereignty challenge settler sovereignty?

By asserting principles of autonomy and shared jurisdiction. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of the midterm exam is comprised of essay questions?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a type of election mentioned in the lecture?

Pluralism Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of Part 2 of the exam?

Short answer questions Signup and view all the answers

What is required when answering essay questions on the exam?

Use evidence from readings and lectures. Signup and view all the answers

Which treaty is NOT listed in the lecture content regarding Indigenous Treaties?

Treaty of Paris Signup and view all the answers

How are multiple choice and true/false questions evaluated in the exam structure?

Each worth one point. Signup and view all the answers

Which component contributes the highest percentage to the final exam score?

Essay questions Signup and view all the answers

What should students focus on when preparing for the short answer section of the exam?

Defining concepts and giving examples. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of public servants in the policy-making process?

They provide fearless advice to their superiors and implement decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes public policy?

A set of actions or lack thereof determined by public authorities to solve problems. Signup and view all the answers

How does the policy-making process described operate?

A circular process that may skip some steps. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of the Weberian Bureaucracy?

Governments should be efficient, professional, and hierarchical. Signup and view all the answers

Public servants are expected to maintain which of the following principles?

Non-partisanship and adherence to the law while implementing decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is often a benefit public servants receive for their impartiality?

Competitive pay and job security. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the public service bargain?

Public servants give impartial advice while implementing political decisions. Signup and view all the answers

Who ultimately decides public policy?

Elected ministers accountable to the public. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Morgenthaler ruling determine about abortion prohibition in the Criminal Code?

It violates section 7 regarding the security and liberty of the person. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of policing, what is a primary focus of most course cases?

The legality of police force use. Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the Boagaerts v Attorney General of Ontario case regarding private entities' policing powers?

It deemed the issue as bad policy, not a court's problem. Signup and view all the answers

What was a critical aspect of the R v Hart ruling regarding confessions?

Confessions can be deemed inadmissible unless probative outweighs prejudicial effects. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Supreme Court of Canada determine in relation to Aboriginal title in the Ddelgamuukw case?

Oral history can serve as valid evidence in title claims. Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the transformation and management of bureaucracies in recent years?

Neoliberalism. Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is often associated with bureaucracies in the context of public policy?

Hierarchical structure and procedural rules. Signup and view all the answers

What important shift is often examined in relation to bureaucracies?

Political-economic shifts impacting bureaucratic operations. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of proportional representation (PR) systems?

More representative of the population Signup and view all the answers

What flaw is associated with coalition governments formed in proportional representation systems?

They can be unstable or against voters’ wishes Signup and view all the answers

What compromise did the Southern states propose regarding enslaved people in the House of Representatives?

Counting them as three-fifths of a person Signup and view all the answers

How is the number of electors for each state determined in the Electoral College?

By the number of senators and representatives combined Signup and view all the answers

What was one consequence of the changes made to the Voting Rights Act in 2013?

A wave of new voter ID laws emerged Signup and view all the answers

How did the electoral system impact Black and Latino voters, according to the Electoral College structure?

It made their votes less impactful in larger states Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the civil rights movement in the 1960s regarding voting?

To ensure equal voting rights for all races Signup and view all the answers

What issue did voter ID laws address, which was largely considered a misconception?

High rates of voter fraud and impersonation Signup and view all the answers

What change occurred in Georgia's voting laws after the 2020 elections?

New barriers that made voting more difficult Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Midterm Review

Subjective reality is perceived reality, influenced by personal characteristics.
Objective reality is independent of the mind.
Neutrality is avoiding taking a position.
"Argument to moderation" fallacy assumes truth lies in the middle ground.
Dana Haraway (1988) viewed objectivity as partial.
Power is not strength; it's the ability to influence others.
Rousseau's Social Contract discussed the system of laws and rights as prerequisites for power.
The State claims a monopoly on legitimate use of force within a territory (Weber).
Power is multi-dimensional and can be understood in three ways by Steven Lukes. (One-Dimensional, Two-Dimensional, and Three-Dimensional)

One-Dimensional Power

Imposing your will on others' actions (Weber, Dahl)
Restricting another's freedom (Mill)
Making someone do something they wouldn't otherwise do (Dahl)

Three-Dimensional Power

Shaping the agenda and influencing thoughts/beliefs
Limiting the range of actions considered acceptable.
Excludes certain options in the decision-making process (making them non-decision-making)

Two-Dimensional Power

Controlling or shaping the agenda, preventing conflict or consideration of a certain topic.
Power by 'shaping the agenda'
Behind the scenes
Confining scope of decision/non decision-making

Indigenous Sovereignty and Treaty Making

God has sovereignty, legally executed by the king
Peace of Westphalia recognized the sovereignty of member states within the empire.
There are challenges to sovereignty during colonialism.
Doctrine of Discovery—Christianity justified colonization arguing it was "discovered" land.
Russel—Sovereignty is a human construct, a claim made by human beings.
Indigenous sovereignty includes principles of reciprocity and sustainability.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the key characteristics of free and fair elections, the importance of electoral reforms, and the mechanisms that ensure fairness in the electoral process. This quiz explores various aspects of electoral systems and their impact on democracy.