Introduction to Political Science and Comparative Politics
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Questions and Answers

What is the defining characteristic of a state with high autonomy?

  • The state is able to operate independently from societal pressures. (correct)
  • The state has a high level of legitimacy among its citizens.
  • The state is able to effectively implement its policies.
  • The state has a strong military presence.
  • Which type of legitimacy is primarily based on the charisma of a leader?

  • Economic legitimacy
  • Traditional legitimacy
  • Charismatic legitimacy (correct)
  • Rational-legal legitimacy
  • What is a key factor in maintaining a state's monopoly?

  • Strong military forces
  • Effective taxation policies
  • Recognition and acceptance by the public (correct)
  • Rapid economic growth
  • What is the relationship between ethnic identity and national identity, according to the content provided?

    <p>National identity requires a shared ethnic identity, but individuals can have multiple ethnic identities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what is the main advantage of a state with high autonomy and high capacity?

    <p>Enhanced ability to implement policies and achieve its goals, without needing to rely on public opinion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes a failed state?

    <p>A state that lacks the capacity to enforce its laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT mentioned as a potential advantage of a state with strong capacity and autonomy?

    <p>Social equality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does rational-legal legitimacy differ from charismatic legitimacy?

    <p>Rational-legal legitimacy is based on the belief in the legality of the system, while charismatic legitimacy is based on the leader's personality.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a factor in determining the quality or power of a state?

    <p>Geographic location</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what is the defining characteristic of citizenship?

    <p>A political identity explicitly defined by the state.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example best illustrates a state with high autonomy and low capacity?

    <p>North Korea</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the content characterize the relationship between a state's capacity and its ability to implement policies?

    <p>States with high capacity can implement policies more effectively, regardless of public opinion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the content suggest is the connection between a state's monopolistic power and economic growth?

    <p>Monopolistic power enables states to tax its citizens, generating revenue for economic development.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How is the distribution of power within a state determined?

    <p>The ability to mobilize resources effectively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main characteristic of an authoritarian regime?

    <p>Restricted participation and liberty, with a small group of individuals holding power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a democracy, what is the source of legitimacy for states?

    <p>Laws</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the opposite of authoritarianism?

    <p>Democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between a democracy and a non-democracy?

    <p>The presence of a constitution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a dictatorship?

    <p>A government where one person has absolute power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main feature of a democratic system?

    <p>A balance between the three branches of government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic that defines a state?

    <p>Sovereignty over a defined territory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which aspect differentiates internal sovereignty from external sovereignty?

    <p>The authority to enact laws recognized by the population</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the concept of zero-sum imply in political contexts?

    <p>One party's gain results in another party's loss</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes the role of norms and values in political behavior?

    <p>Immutable factors integral to people's lives</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Comparative politics primarily examines what aspect of different regimes?

    <p>The balance between equality and freedom</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a necessary component of sovereignty?

    <p>Cultural identity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do political institutions affect political activity within a state?

    <p>They structure and enable political interaction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the key difference between a country and a state?

    <p>A state is the political organization of a community within a specific territory</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of political parties in a political society?

    <p>To help establish majority rule and enact policies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a single-member district system, what is the primary outcome for voters?

    <p>Voters must strategically choose between the best two parties</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of a mixed electoral system?

    <p>It combines features of both plurality and proportional representation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a referendum allow the public to do?

    <p>Directly decide on policy issues</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best defines civil rights?

    <p>Equal treatment under the law and access to public services</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What distinguishes civil liberties from civil rights?

    <p>Civil liberties are protected by laws against government interference</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What outcome does a proportional electoral system typically encourage?

    <p>The allocation of seats based on party votes rather than individual candidates</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a function of political parties?

    <p>Enforcing strict ideological conformity among citizens</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Political Science

    • Political science is about understanding patterns of activity that are self-perpetuating and valued for their own sake, such as taxes, armies, elections, and the state.
    • Political science sets the stage for political behavior by influencing how politics is conducted and varies from country to country.
    • It embodies norms or values considered central to people's lives and thus are not easily changed or dislodged.

    Comparative Politics

    • Comparative politics is about finding the balance between equality and freedom in different regimes, democratic and non-democratic.
    • Democratic regimes lie somewhere in the middle of the spectrum.

    The State

    • The state is a machinery of politics that should be sovereign, having a monopoly over a territory and being highly institutionalized.
    • Sovereignty is the core element of a state, referring to the ability to carry out policies within a given territory.
    • There are two types of sovereignty: internal (the authority to make laws and carry out administrative tasks) and external (recognition by foreign powers of a government's claim to independence).

    Legitimacy

    • Legitimacy is a value whereby someone or something is recognized and accepted as right.
    • A legitimate institution is widely accepted and recognized by the public.
    • There are three types of legitimacy: traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal.

    State Power Distribution

    • State power distribution refers to the ability to mobilize its own resources effectively.
    • States with high autonomy can make decisions without considering public reactions, while states with high capacity can mobilize resources effectively.

    Nations and Society

    • Citizenship is a political identity developed explicitly by states and accepted or rejected by individuals.
    • Ethnic identity is based on culture, while national identity is based on political aspiration.
    • There are similarities and differences between ethnic identity, national identity, and citizenship.

    Political Parties

    • Political parties are organizations that bring people together, serving two functions: helping to establish the means by which the majority can rule and enacting policies.
    • Parties are often diverse and unable to fully dominate politics.

    Electoral Systems

    • Electoral systems can be single-member districts (plurality) or multi-member districts (proportional).
    • Mixed electoral systems combine elements of both.

    Referenda and Initiatives

    • Referenda allow the public to make direct decisions about policy.
    • Initiatives are collections of suggestions or proposals made for the public.

    Civil Rights, Liberties, and Rules of Law

    • Civil rights consist of things like the right to vote, equal treatment under the law, and access to public things without discrimination.
    • Civil liberties refer to individual freedoms like freedom of speech, religion, and privacy.
    • The rule of law is important in making democracy, as seen in England, where the country is ruled by law, not by the king.

    Non-Democratic Regimes

    • Authoritarianism is characterized by restricted participation, competition, and liberty, with power controlled by a small group of individuals.
    • Legitimacy in non-democratic regimes may differ from democratic regimes.
    • Different models of non-democratic regimes include dictatorships, which imply absolute power by one person.
    • Legitimacy in dictatorships can come from various sources.

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    Comparative Politics PDF

    Description

    Understand the basics of political science, including self-perpetuating activities, and comparative politics, including how politics is conducted across countries.

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