Political Science An Introduction 13th Edition Test Bank
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Chapter 4- States
MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS
1. What is the term for the absence of
government?
1. Socialism
2. Anarchy
3. Statism
4. Republic
Answer: B
Learning Objective: Introduction
Page Reference: 53
Topic/A-head:
Introduction
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
2. Hereditary rule by one person is known as
__________.
1. a monarchy
2. a republic
3. institutionalization
4. a state
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
3. A(n) __________ is a political system without
a monarch.
1. institution
2. monarchy
3. state
4. republic
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
4. To Aristotle, the corrupt form of monarchy is
__________.
1. democracy
2. tyranny
3. polity
4. oligarchy
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
5. To Aristotle, the legitimate form of
government by the few is __________.
1. monarchy
2. tyranny
3. aristocracy
4. oligarchy
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
6. Democracy is the ___________ form of
government by ___________.
1. corrupt; one
2. corrupt; a few
3. corrupt; many
4. legitimate; many
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
7. The aftermath of the resignation by President
Nixon in the United States demonstrated which concept?
1. The power of the states relative to the
national government
2. The resiliency of the institution of the
presidency
3. The limitations of the United States court
system in punishing corrupt politicians
4. The limitations of unitary systems of
government
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
53
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
8. What conclusion can we make about
constitutions based on your text?
1. Constitutions structure power so that it does
not vary over time.
2. Constitutions are designed to change with each
election.
3. Constitutions provide institutional powers,
but individual leaders and time affect the exercise of power.
4. Constitutions are nearly identical from one
state to the next.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
9. Which of the following, if true, best undermines
Aristotle’s views on government?
1. Members of elected lawmaking bodies often
pursue policies to help themselves get elected.
2. Elected politicians are often interested in
running for higher offices.
3. Many democracies have become corrupt.
4. Elected officials do make policies that
benefit the majority of citizens.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Analyze It
10. ___________ are incapable of even minimal
governance.
1. Strong states
2. Weak States
3. Failed States
4. Effective States
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
11. In ____________, laws are mostly obeyed, and
government can control and tax its territory.
1. effective states
2. strong states
3. failed states
4. weak states
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
12. ___________ are characterized by the
penetration of crime into politics.
1. Weak states
2. Strong states
3. Effective states
4. Failed states
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
13. Which of the following best describes a weak
state?
1. A state with essentially no national
government
2. A state where elections may be predetermined
3. A state where the government taxes and
controls its territory
4. A state where there are no laws
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
14. Pirates are present in Somalia because it is a
__________.
1. weak state
2. failed state
3. militant state
4. effective state
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
15. Which of the following, if true, might keep a
failed state from disappearing?
1. Increasing taxation power
2. Revenue from natural resources being collected
by leaders
3. Expansion of territory
4. Monetary aid from other nations
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
16. The first-order civil divisions on the United
States are called ___________.
1. cantons
2. states
3. counties
4. cities
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
17. Prefectures are the first-order subdivisions
in ___________.
1. Canada
2. Sweden
3. France
4. Japan
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
18. In France, a prefect is a(n) __________.
1. administrator
2. state
3. lawmaker
4. judge
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
57
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
19. Autonomias are regions in what nation?
1. Canada
2. France
3. Brazil
4. Spain
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
20. Which of the following might lead you to
believe Great Britain has a quasi-unitary system of government?
1. Scotland has gained autonomy over some policy
areas.
2. Scotland remains under British control on all
matters.
3. Great Britain has a federal system of
government.
4. Great Britain has a confederal system of
government.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
57
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
21. Which of the following descriptions best
depicts a federal system of government?
1. The central government maintains all the
power.
2. The first-order subdivisions maintain all the
power.
3. Federal systems exist where there are no
governments.
4. Federal systems have divided power between a
central government and first-order governments.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
59
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
22. The idea that American states serve as
“laboratories of democracy” is an advantage of __________ of government.
1. unitary systems
2. confederal systems
3. federal systems
4. proportional systems
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
59
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
23. Canada’s federal system contains what issue of
contention?
1. Whether Ottawa should secede
2. How much autonomy Quebec should have
3. The first-order subdivisions maintain all the
power
4. How to deal with the United States
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
61
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
24. Based on what you know, which of the following
is likely the case for Swiss cantons?
1. Cantons can be altered by the central
government.
2. Cantons are only found near the capital.
3. Cantons have a significant amount of autonomy.
4. Cantons only have those powers granted to them
by the central government.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
25. Center-periphery tension might result from
which of the following scenarios?
1. The existence of a poor region that receives
little from the nation
2. A socialist nation with high levels of
taxation
3. A federal system where power is divided
between the first-order divisions and the central government
4. A single-member district with first past the
post elections
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
56
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
26. Which of the following do Spain and France
have in common when it comes to the distribution of responsibilities in those
nations?
1. Both nations have consistently consolidated
power over the past century.
2. Both nations have decentralized governmental
functions.
3. Both nations have adopted confederal systems
of government.
4. Both nations have adopted mixed electoral
systems.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
27. Which of the following might lead to the
collapse of a confederation?
1. Too much power from the central government
2. Local governments lacking the ability to make
decisions
3. Ineffective regional governments
4. The inability of the central government to
defend regional government
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
28. Center-periphery tensions are most likely to
exist under what circumstance?
1. In statist systems that are becoming more
capitalistic
2. In areas with regional cultural differences or
economic inequality
3. In unitary systems of government where the
central government has most of the power
4. In large confederal systems
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
56
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
29. The fact that local governments are best
suited for providing services like trash pick-up best supports which of the
following form of government?
1. Laissez-faire systems
2. Federal systems
3. Unitary systems
4. Prefectures
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
57-58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
30. Which of the following demonstrates a weakness
in the American federal system of government?
1. Educational quality varies extensively across
American states.
2. No Child Left Behind was designed to improve
education.
3. Educational needs in Kansas may be very
different from New York.
4. Educational standards are comparable across
states.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
59-60
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
31. Electoral systems that elect one person per
district are known as ____________.
1. multi-member districts
2. majoritarian systems
3. single-member districts
4. proportional districts
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
61-62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
32. In __________, representatives are elected
based on their party’s percentage of the vote.
1. proportional representative systems
2. majoritarian systems
3. single-member districts
4. multi-member districts
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
63
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
33. Districts that are __________ often have
bizarre shapes.
1. compact
2. majoritarian
3. gerrymandered
4. proportional
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
34. In a single-member district election, the
winner receives a minimum of __________.
1. a plurality of the votes
2. a majority of the votes
3. two-thirds of the votes
4. three-fourths of the votes
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
61-62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
35. Goldwater and McGovern demonstrated which of
the following?
1. The benefit of taking extreme positions in
American politics
2. The risks of not taking positions in American
politics
3. The risks of taking extreme positions in
American politics
4. The benefits of the electoral college in the
American political system
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
36. Gerrymandering is most likely a problem in
what electoral system?
1. Single-member systems
2. Multi-member systems
3. Proportional systems
4. Mixed-member systems
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
37. An advantage of a proportional representation
system of government would be __________.
1. a strong two-party system
2. the ability to draw districts to favor the
majority party
3. representation of minor parties
4. the ability of the central government to
provide benefits to the populations
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
63
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
38. If the Green Party receives 15 percent of the
vote in a proportional system, which of the following is likely to happen?
1. The Green Party would receive no seats.
2. The Green Party would try to form a coalition
with other parties.
3. The Green Party would attempt to gerrymander
districts to their advantage.
4. The Green Party would demand a recount of the
votes.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
64
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
39. Why are coalitions among parties seldom
necessary in the United States?
1. Because elections are held in multi-member
districts
2. Because elections usually produce more than
two viable candidates
3. Because elections are held in single-member
districts with plurality winners
4. Because of the multi-party system in the
United States
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
40. If the Social Democrats receive only five
percent of the vote, they would be most successful under which of the following
systems?
1. Proportional representation
2. Single-member districts
3. Multi-member districts
4. Mixed-member
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
63-64
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
41. In a __________ system, the government owns
little or no industry and redistributes little in welfare programs.
1. majoritarian
2. proportional
3. socialist
4. laissez-faire
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
64
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
42. A __________ system practices both state
ownership and extensive welfare benefits.
1. socialist
2. statist
3. welfare
4. laissez-faire
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
43. Welfare states tend to have which of the
following combinations of state ownership and welfare benefits?
1. High levels of state ownership and high levels
of welfare benefits
2. High levels of state ownership but low levels
of welfare benefits
3. Low levels of state ownership and high levels
of welfare benefits
4. Low levels of state ownership and low levels
of welfare benefits
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
64
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
44. Which statement best reflects the United
States compared to other nations when it comes to state power?
1. The United States is comparable to most other
nations when it comes to state power.
2. In the United States, government plays a
larger role than in other nations.
3. In the United States, government plays a
smaller role compared to other nations.
4. The size of government in the United States is
larger in some issue areas but not in others.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
45. Which of the following is most indicative of a
laissez-faire system?
1. Low levels of state ownership and high levels
of welfare benefits
2. Low levels of state ownership and low levels
of welfare benefits
3. High levels of state ownership and high levels
of welfare benefits
4. High levels of state ownership but low levels
of welfare benefits
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
64
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
46. Japan and France shared what in common when it
came to modernization?
1. Both modernized through an extensive welfare
system.
2. Both modernized through extensive involvement
of the state in the economy.
3. Both modernized through laissez-faire
economics.
4. Both modernized because of their weak state
systems.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
47. Which of the following, if true, most
undermines laissez-faire systems?
1. Government intervention limits economic
growth.
2. Private enterprise makes the nation prosper.
3. Markets do not always regulate themselves.
4. Welfare systems create a culture of
dependence.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
64
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
48. France, Mexico, Brazil, and China demonstrate
which of the following points based on your chapter?
1. The role of the government in the economy is
usually stable.
2. The role of the government in welfare
provision is usually stable.
3. Laissez-faire systems are always best.
4. Nations often adopt different aspects of more
than one economic system.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
49. Which of the following, if true, most
undermines the French-type strong state argument?
1. State-owned industries made France an economic
power.
2. Regionalism limits central government
authority.
3. Government intervention in the economy is
necessary due to market failures.
4. Other nations, like the United States
modernized more quickly.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
50. Which statement best depicts the conclusions
from the chapter on the role of government in economic situations?
1. The answer depends on the nation in question
and the particular circumstances.
2. Government intervention limits economic growth
in most circumstances.
3. Markets usually do not always regulate
themselves.
4. State intervention in economic matters is
never necessary.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
66
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
TRUE/FALSE QUESTIONS
51. Political institutions are the working
structures of government.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
53
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
52. Republics are usually ruled by a monarch
chosen by heredity.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
53. Weak states typically have no national
government.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
54. In France, first-order civil divisions are
known as departments.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
57
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
55. Decentralizing power involves concentrating
power in the national government.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
57
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
56. The United States had a federal system of
government under the Articles of Confederation.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
57. In the United States, power shifted from the
national government to the states during the Reagan Presidency in a process
known as devolution.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref: 57
Topic/A-head: Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
58. Multi-party systems often have higher voter
turnout than two party systems.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref: 62
Topic/A-head: Electoral Systems
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
59. Gerrymandering by the majority party in the
state legislature can result in that party maintaining political control even
when the opposing party receives more votes.
Answer: TRUE
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref: 62
Topic/A-head: Electoral Systems
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
60. Statist systems of government often provided
generous welfare benefits.
Answer: FALSE
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref: 64
Topic/A-head: States and the Economy
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
FILL-IN-THE-BLANK QUESTIONS
61. _________ is the term for the absence of
government.
Answer: Anarchy
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
53
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
62. Great Britain’s ruling system is a __________,
but the Queen is mostly a figurehead.
Answer: monarchy
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
63. __________ are characterized by the
penetration of crime into politics.
Answer: Weak states
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
64. Warlords, militias, and other gun wielders
often take the place of the national government in __________.
Answer: failed states
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
65. __________ is where power is balanced between
the nation’s capital and autonomous subdivisions.
Answer: Federalism
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
66. Japan’s first-order civil divisions are known
as __________.
Answer: prefectures
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
58
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Remember the Facts
67. Germany has a __________ of government because
the local governments have only the autonomy granted to them by the national
government.
Answer: unitary system
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
68. Single-member districts with plurality
elections tend to produce __________ parties.
Answer: two
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
69. The d’Hondt mathematical formula is often used
to determine seats based on the percentage of votes in __________ systems.
Answer: proportional
representation
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
63
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
70. __________ has been replaced by more free
market economies in Europe and Latin America.
Answer: Statism
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS
71. How are institutions bigger than individual
leaders? Give an example.
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
53
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
72. Differentiate between primary and secondary
sources? What are potential drawbacks of some sources?
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
56
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or federal Systems
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
73. What are some advantages of America’s federal
system of government?
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
59
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
74. What does gerrymandering do for democracy?
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
75. How might modernization have been different
had France had less involvement in the economy?
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
ESSAY QUESTIONS
76. Evaluate Aristotle’s six types of government.
How might this classification be useful today?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss Aristotle’s classification of three
legitimate kinds of government: a monarchy, which was governed by one; an
aristocracy, which was governed by a few; and the polity, which was governed by
many.
2. Discuss Aristotle’s corrupt counterparts:
tyranny, which was governed by one; oligarchy, which was governed by a few; and
democracy which was governed by many.
3. Apply one or more of these to current
governing situations. For example, the answer might discuss the tyranny or oligarchies
that exist in some countries in the world (ie. In the Middle East or China).
Learning Objective: 4.1
Page Ref:
54
Topic/A-head:
Institutionalized Power
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
77. Distinguish between effective, weak, and
failed states.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss effective states, where the state has
control over its territory. These states are generally better off and collect
considerable taxes. Examples include Japan and the United States.
2. Discuss weak states, where crime has
penetrated into politics. In these states, there is not a clear line between
crime and politics. Democracy is promoted, but not really practiced. Justice
can be bought in these states.
3. Discuss failed states, where there is
virtually no national government. These states are dominated by warlords,
druglords, and militias. They are often on the verge of disappearing without
external involvement.
Learning Objective: 4.2
Page Ref:
55
Topic/A-head:
Effective, Weak, and Failed States
Skill Level:
Understand the Concepts
78. Contrast unitary and federal systems of
government. Identify a strength and weakness of each system.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss unitary systems, where the power is
concentrated with the central government and little or no authority is granted
to the component areas.
2. Discuss and advantage and disadvantage of a
unitary system. For example, one advantage is that in unitary systems, there
are clear lines of authority. Other advantages include uniformity in taxation
and educational standards. A disadvantage is that the central government is not
always best equipped to deal with localized concerns.
3. Discuss federal systems, where first-order
civil divisions have some autonomy, while the central government maintains
authority over some areas.
4. Discuss an advantage and disadvantage of the
federal system of government. For example, an advantage is that in federal
systems, the government closest to the problems often deals with it. However,
sometimes there are coordination problems. Local governments may lack resources
to deal with problems. Federal systems often have different levels of taxation
or educational quality across divisions.
Learning Objective: 4.3
Page Ref:
55-60
Topic/A-head:
Unitary or Federal Systems
Skill Level:
Apply What You Know
79. Explain the relationship between electoral
systems and party systems.
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss the relationship between single-member
districts and parties. Single-member districts, like in the United States, tend
to favor two big parties. Most of the time, this system limits third parties.
The parties also tend to focus on the middle of the political spectrum because
that is where the most votes are. This system can produce majoritarianism. It
can also allow the majority party to manipulate the process to its advantage.
2. Discuss proportional representation and
political parties. In these systems, parties are awarded seats based on their
percentage of the vote. Thus, there tend to be a greater number of parties
because there is a reward for finishing second, third, or even fourth. This
tends to produce results that better reflect public opinion. These systems do
sometimes see parties splintering off.
3. Discuss that there are mixed-member systems,
like in Germany.
Learning Objective: 4.4
Page Ref:
62-64
Topic/A-head:
Electoral Systems
Skill Level:
Analyze It
80. What are the ways that the state may relate to
the economy?
Answer: An ideal response will:
1. Discuss there are two fundamental questions to
consider when examining the state and the economy: first, how much of the
economy should the state own or supervise? Second, how much of the nation’s
wealth should be redistributed to help the poor?
2. Discuss each of four options. Statism has high
levels of state ownership in the economy but low levels of welfare benefits. In
these systems, sometimes the government is the only entity equipped to run
certain businesses. However, the lack of competition is inefficient.
3. Discuss how in socialist systems the
government has state ownership of industry and provides generous welfare
benefits.
4. Discuss how in Laissez-faire systems, the
government has little ownership and provides little welfare benefits. The
system can produce a great deal of wealth; however, the wealth is concentrated
in the hands of the few.
5. Discuss the welfare state, where there is
little government ownership but there are generous welfare benefits. These are
also known as social democracies.
Learning Objective: 4.5
Page Ref:
65
Topic/A-head:
States and the Economy
Skill Level:
Analyze It
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