Comparative Politics Flashcards

Proportional representation electoral systems tend to produce which type of party system?

Answer: Multiparty systems

Proportional representation allocates seats based on vote share, making it easier for smaller parties to win seats and thus encouraging multiparty systems.

The 'Westminster model' of democracy is primarily associated with which country?

Answer: United Kingdom

The Westminster model, characterized by parliamentary sovereignty, cabinet government, and single-member districts, originated in and is most associated with the United Kingdom.

Samuel Huntington's 'third wave' of democratization primarily occurred during which period?

Answer: 1974–1990s

Huntington's third wave began with Portugal's 1974 transition and spread through Southern Europe, Latin America, and Eastern Europe into the 1990s.

Arend Lijphart's 'consensus democracy' is best characterized by:

Answer: Spreading power broadly through coalition governments and power-sharing

Consensus democracy spreads power broadly through coalition governments, proportional representation, federalism, and other power-sharing mechanisms.

Which electoral system awards seats to candidates with the most votes in single-member districts?

Answer: First-past-the-post

First-past-the-post awards the seat to whichever candidate receives the most votes in a single-member district, requiring only a plurality, not a majority.

Presidential systems of government are most prevalent in which region of the world?

Answer: Latin America

Presidential systems are most common in Latin America, which adopted and adapted the U.S. presidential model following independence from Spain and Portugal.

Which concept describes the process by which authoritarian regimes transition toward democratic governance?

Answer: Democratization

Democratization is the process by which a political regime transitions toward democratic governance, encompassing free elections, civil liberties, and governmental accountability.