PSC Comparative Politics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Proportional representation electoral systems tend to produce which type of party system?
- Two dominant parties
- Multiparty systems (Correct answer)
- Single-party dominance
- Non-partisan governance
Correct 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.
Question 2: The 'Westminster model' of democracy is primarily associated with which country?
- France
- Germany
- United Kingdom (Correct answer)
- United States
Correct 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.
Question 3: Samuel Huntington's 'third wave' of democratization primarily occurred during which period?
- 1828–1926
- 1943–1962
- 1974–1990s (Correct answer)
- 2001–2010
Correct 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.
Question 4: Arend Lijphart's 'consensus democracy' is best characterized by:
- Requiring unanimous agreement for all policy decisions
- Spreading power broadly through coalition governments and power-sharing (Correct answer)
- Concentrating power in a majority government
- Using consensus only in legislative procedures
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which electoral system awards seats to candidates with the most votes in single-member districts?
- Proportional representation
- Mixed-member proportional
- First-past-the-post (Correct answer)
- Alternative vote
Correct 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.
Question 6: Presidential systems of government are most prevalent in which region of the world?
- Western Europe
- Southeast Asia
- Latin America (Correct answer)
- Sub-Saharan Africa
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which concept describes the process by which authoritarian regimes transition toward democratic governance?
- Political revolution
- Democratization (Correct answer)
- Liberalization
- Modernization
Correct answer: Democratization
Democratization is the process by which a political regime transitions toward democratic governance, encompassing free elections, civil liberties, and governmental accountability.
PSC Comparative Politics 2
Proportional representation electoral systems tend to produce which type of party system?