Politics and Democracy Overview

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is a disadvantage of presidential systems?

Direct election of the president

Clear separation of powers

Difficulty in removing the president (correct)

Stability in leadership

Democracy is primarily defined as a government system where the authority is held by a single ruler.

False

What is a 'vote of no confidence'?

A vote by a legislative body to express disapproval of the government.

In a democracy, factors like voter turnout, political participation, and the rule of _______ measure performance.

law Signup and view all the answers

Match the government systems with their advantages or disadvantages:

Presidential System = Risk of authoritarianism Federal System = Promotes local autonomy Parliamentary System = Clear accountability Proportional Representation = Encourages diverse representation Signup and view all the answers

What typically leads to higher success rates in mandatory referendums?

They are legally required. Signup and view all the answers

Voter turnout is the only indicator of a healthy democracy.

False Signup and view all the answers

Name an advantage of federal systems of governance.

Accommodates diversity. Signup and view all the answers

The role of _______ refers to the formal process through which individuals or groups make decisions that impact society.

politics Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a potential issue with direct democracy?

Voter fatigue Signup and view all the answers

Political parties solely focus on their internal electoral strategies and do not represent public interests.

False Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the legal or institutional representation by elected officials?

formal representation Signup and view all the answers

Unequal descriptive representation can lead to feelings of ______ and inequality.

disenfranchisement Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their definitions:

Trustee = Acts using their own judgment for decision-making Delegate = Follows the will of their constituents Formal Representation = Legal or institutional representation by elected officials Symbolic Representation = Focuses on how groups feel about their representation Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes lobbying?

Can give disproportionate influence to interest groups Signup and view all the answers

More representation of marginalized groups can improve policy outcomes.

True Signup and view all the answers

What defines the 'descriptive representation'?

Descriptive representation describes the composition of political institutions. Signup and view all the answers

In a ______, laws are introduced by the government usually formed by the majority party.

parliamentarism Signup and view all the answers

Personal reasons for voting include all of the following EXCEPT:

Desire to manipulate the outcome Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Exam Preparation Answers - Study Notes

Politics: Defined as the process where individuals or groups make decisions impacting society. Involves power, authority, governance, laws, policies, decision-making, public/private interests, and conflict/cooperation
Cantonal Governments Subsidies: Some cantonal governments in certain regions subsidize daycare fees more than others (question 2)
Democracy: A form of government where power rests with the people, either directly or through elected representatives. Emphasizes individual rights, equality, and the rule of law (question 3)
Voter Turnout: A measure of democratic participation, but not a perfect indicator of health, influenced by factors like compulsory voting or election frequency (question 4)
Democracy Performance Metrics: Factors like voter turnout, political participation, accountability, rule of law, and conflict resolution skills can assess a democracy's success (question 5)
Confidence/No Confidence Votes: A 'confidence vote' affirms a government's legitimacy. 'No confidence vote' expresses disapproval, potentially leading to the government's resignation (question 6)
Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems: Presidential systems feature clear separation of powers, direct presidential election, and often greater stability, but can risk authoritarianism and difficulty removing the president. Parliamentary systems involve potential political gridlock and may result in fewer resources spent on public goods (questions 7, 8)
Federalism Advantages and Disadvantages: Federal systems promote local autonomy, accommodate diversity, and allow for tailored policies, but they can also lead to inequality between regions, complicated governance and conflicts between federal and state governments (question 9)
Political Figures/Institutions: Joe Biden (USA), Council of States (Switzerland), Federal President of Germany (question 10)
Voting Systems: Majority, proportional voting systems exist for voting procedures (question 11)
Referendums: Mandatory referendums have higher success rates due to legal requirements, unlike optional ones which rely more on voter mobilization (question 13)
Direct Democracy: Challenges include potential voter fatigue, oversimplified complex issues, and vulnerability to manipulation by special interest groups (question 14)
Political Preferences, Attitudes, Beliefs: Voters may base decisions on their political party, preferred candidates, or ideologies, attitudes or beliefs (question 15)
Voting Motivations: Reasons include party loyalty, candidate trust, personal values, and alignment with political ideologies (question 16)
Political Parties: Parties organize elections, represent public interests, formulate policies, recruit candidates, and uphold democratic accountability (question 17)
Sovereign State Collaboration (International Relations): Function as a link between sovereign states in a comprehensive network (question 18)
Lobbying's Impact on Democracy: Potential for disproportionate influence by powerful interest groups and undermining democratic processes (question 19)
MP Roles: Elected officials can act as trustees or delegates, representing the interests of constituents or their parties (question 20)
Presidential vs. Parliamentary Processes: Parliamentary systems have laws introduced by the government, while presidential systems often involve laws originating from and being executed by the president (question 21)
Electorate Representation: Descriptive representation describes political institutions' composition, while symbolic representation focuses on how groups feel about the representation (question 22)
Representation & Inclusion: Unequal representation can lead to disenfranchisement and inequality. Efforts towards diverse representation can create social justice and policy improvements (question 23)

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts in politics and democracy, including the role of government, voter participation, and metrics for assessing democratic success. It will help you prepare for understanding the complexities of governance and public policy. Perfect for students looking to solidify their grasp on political science fundamentals.