Exam 1 (POSC 215 - Comparative Politics)

In 2014, there were more countries that were identified as free compared to the total number of countries that are partly free or not free

Amartya Sen argues that in the general climate and world opinion, most believe that democratic governance has now achieved the status of being generally right.

According to Kesselman, et. al., similar to economic development, there are uniform, historical strategies and policies that countries must follow to achieve democracy.

The balance of scholarly opinion suggests, that parliamentary systems tend to produce more consensual outcomes than do presidential systems.

The democratic idea fuels political conflicts in even the most durable democracies because a large gap usually separates democratic ideals and the actual functioning of democratic political institutions

A careful study finds that, once a country adopts a democratic regime, the odds are that it will endure.

Why does the democratic idea fuel political conflicts in even the most durable democracies? 


Large-scale grassroots action that demands reforms of existing social practices and government policies: 


The toppling of an authoritarian regime and adopting the rudiments of democracy:

In spite of the fact that the following country has hundreds of millions of people living in dire poverty, it has had a vibrantly functioning democratic system since it became independent:

In 2014, there were how many countries that could be considered "free” by Freedom House? 


According to Kesselman, et., al., what are the necessary preconditions for democracy to take root and flourish? a) secure national [blank_start]___________[blank_end], b) a stable [blank_start]______[blank_end], c) a minimum level of _[blank_start]________[blank_end] development d) widespread acceptance of [blank_start]___________[blank_end] values, e) agreement on the [blank_start]______[blank_end] of the democratic politics among those
 contending for power.

Democracy may appeal to citizens in authoritarian nations because: a) democratic regimes often rank among the world’s most 
stable, [blank_start]________[blank_end], free, and [blank_start]_________[blank_end] countries. b) it is born of the human desire for [blank_start]________[blank_end] and [blank_start]_________[blank_end].

Democracy: From the Greek demos (the people) and kratos (rule). a) A political system featuring: selection to public offices 
 through free and fair [blank_start]__________[blank_end]; b) the right of all adults to [blank_start]_____[blank_end]; political parties that are free 
 to compete in elections; 
 c) government that operates by fair and relatively open 
 [blank_start]___________[blank_end]; d) political rights and civil [blank_start]__________[blank_end]; an independent judiciary 
 (court system); e) civilian control of the [blank_start]_________[blank_end].

Theories focusing on specific features of the political world, such as institutions, policies, or classes of similar events, such as revolutions or elections: 


When a state's geographic boundaries coincide with a citizen's collective identity, the resulting formation is called: 


A theory that focuses on how individuals act strategically in an attempt to achieve goals that maximize their interests applying deductive and quantitative methods to construct models and general theories of political behavior that they believe can be applied across all types of political systems and cultures:

A belief by powerful groups and the broad citizenry that a state exercises rightful authority: 


The most powerful political institutions in a country, including the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, the police, and armed forces: 


The intensification of worldwide interconnectedness associated with the increased speed and magnitude of cross-border flows of trade, investment and finance, and processes of migration, cultural diffusion, and communication:

An approach that gives priority to government regulation over the economy: 


Neoliberalism emphasizes: 


The ancient philosopher who analyzed and compared the city-states of Greece in the fourth century BCE according to whether they were ruled by a single individual, a few people, or all citizens: 


The following involves comparing domestic political institutions, processes, policies, conflicts, and attitudes in different countries: 


There are approximately, how many countries in the world today? 


The hostile relations that prevailed between the United States and the Soviet Union from the late 1940s until the demise of the USSR in 1991:

An exclusive international club of the most industrialized nations in the world that deals with both economic and political issues is referred to as:

Under the leadership of Vladimir Putin, the following region was incorporated into Russia:

According to Kesselman, et. al., “an important historical moment when political actors make critical choices, which shape institutions and future outcomes” is referred to as: 


Kesselman, et. al., refers to the groups with which people identify, including gender, class, race, region, and religion, and which are the “building blocks” for social and political action: 


In spite of the bad economic times, young people and middle-age workers are cooperating with one another to find solutions to the serious economic troubles afflicting the United States. 


According to Kesselman, et. al, the study of comparative politics requires that analysts focus on a single national perspective and avoid the role of trade, mass communication, and culture because it detracts from the goal at hand.

Political analysis, argues Kesselman, et. al., requires more than blogging, talking-head debates but involves both a longer historical context and a framework for understanding unfolding developments. 


There is little difference between the study of international relations and comparative politics, argue Kesselman, et. al.

Kesselman, et. al. argue that there is no reason to include the study of the United States within the field of comparative politics.

According to Kesselman, et. al., because of the rise of globalization and the increased role of international economic competition and integration, countries are no longer the fundamental building blocks in analyzing most political activity.

The comparative approach principally analyzes similarities and differences among countries by focusing on selected political institutions and processes.

Although comparativists direct their attention to the roles of the legislature, executive, political parties and court systems, they avoid specialty areas, such as education or the environment.

In comparative politics, the state refers to the key political institutions responsible for making, implementing, and adjudicating important policies in a country.

In authoritarian states, political legitimacy is not greatly affected by the state’s inability to “deliver the goods” to its people through poor economic performance because coercion and threats of force compel the population to accept their condition, argues Kesselman, et. al.

Because countries are the basic building blocks in politics and because states are the most significant political organizations within countries, these are two critical units for comparative analysis. 


Kesselman, et. al., argue that states dwarf other influential actors, such as transnational corporations, in the exercise of power that matters.

The authors believe that the wide array of international organizations and treaties do not challenge the sovereign control of national governments within their own territories.


A country’s political borders can and do protect its citizens from global warming, environmental pollution, or infectious diseases that come from abroad. 


The fundamental purpose of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is to lower or remove barriers to free trade.

Whenever the IMF provides financial or technical assistance to a country, it does so without any strings attached if it is identified as a Third World country.

The success of states in maintaining sovereign authority and control over their people is greatly affected by their ability to ensure that enough goods are produced and services delivered to satisfy the needs and demands of their populations.

China’s stunning success in promoting economic development has not generated much support for the communist regime in that country.

Political scientist Adam Przeworski and colleagues have concluded, after an exhaustive comparison of the economic performance of democratic and authoritarian states, that democratic systems are better at achieving superior economic performance.

What distinguishes gross domestic product (GDP) from gross national product (GNP) is the latter (GNP) takes into considering GDP plus income earned abroad by the country’s residents.

The GDP of a country is a useful measure because it takes into account the population and its quality of life.


The United States not only has by far the largest economy in the world and but also has the highest per capita income as well. 


India has a higher per capita income than China. 


A treaty among the United States, Mexico, and Canada implemented on January 1, 1994, that largely eliminates trade barriers among the three nations and establishes procedures to resolve trade disputes:

An example of a non-governmental organization (NGO) that plays a crucial role in the world of politics:

What was an important reason for the rejection of communism and the disintegration of the Soviet Union and its allies in Eastern Europe in 1989?

Refers to the interaction between politics and economics, that is, to how government actions affect economic performance and how economic performance in turn affects a country’s political processes:

These countries have been referred to as “economic miracles” by comparativists: 


A policy promotes ecologically sound ways to modernize the economy and raise the standard of living:

The total of all goods and services produced within a country that is used as a broad measure of the size of its economy:

The following takes into account the real cost of living in a particular country by calculating how much it would cost in the local currency to buy the same “basket of goods” in different countries:

Although China is ranked second in the world, in terms of Gross Domestic Product, it falls to 120th out of 227 economies because its GDP per capita is:

The level of economic development and citizens’ standard of living in different countries

Institutional design refers to: a) the relationships between [blank_start]__________[blank_end], [blank_start]____________[blank_end], and 
 judicial branches of government and b) between the [blank_start]_________[blank_end] government and [blank_start]____________[blank_end] units 
 such as states in the United States.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF): a) is the global institution with a [blank_start]________[blank_end] to b) foster global monetary [blank_start]____________[blank_end], secure financial stability, facilitate international [blank_start]______[blank_end], promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce [blank_start]________[blank_end].

The Social Progress Index (SPI) is derived from twelve measures such as a) shelter, [blank_start]_______[blank_end] and wellness, b) [blank_start]__________[blank_end] sustainability, c) personal [blank_start]________[blank_end] and d) choice, and [blank_start]__________[blank_end] and inclusion.

Why is it more beneficial to use exchange rates based on purchasing power parity (PPP) when comparing the standard of living in a particular country? a) Because PPP takes into account the real [blank_start]_____[blank_end] [blank_start]___[blank_end] [blank_start]_______[blank_end] in a 
 particular country b) by calculating how much it would cost in the local currency to 
 buy the [blank_start]_____[blank_end] basket of goods in [blank_start]__________[blank_end] countries; c) Many scholars think that PPP provides a relatively reliable 
 (and revealing) tool for comparing the [blank_start]_____[blank_end] of an economy 
among countries.

In scarcely more than twenty years, we have a) witnessed the collapse of the [blank_start]_______[blank_end] [blank_start]_____[blank_end] in 1989, b) which ushered in the end of the [blank_start]_____[blank_end] [blank_start]____[blank_end] era; c) the attack on the [blank_start]______[blank_end] [blank_start]______[blank_end] [blank_start]_______[blank_end] towers in 2001, d) ushering in a new era of global insecurity in the face of 
 mounting [blank_start]__________[blank_end]; and e) the [blank_start]______[blank_end] [blank_start]__________[blank_end] of 2008, which threw the global 
 economy into a tailspin, heightened political conflict, and 
 widespread anxiety about the future.

According to Kesselman, et. al., what were the five important critical junctures in recent history? a) 1989, which symbolizes the end of the [blank_start]_____[blank_end] [blank_start]____[blank_end], and a wave 
of capitalist democracies that replaced the former East versus 
 West divisions b) September 11, 2001, which reframes globalization, shifting 
 attention away from the development gap to [blank_start]__________[blank_end], 
security, and the use of force; c) 2008, a year that ushered in intense [blank_start]__________[blank_end] and economic 
crisis around the world; d) 2011, when [blank_start]____[blank_end]-[blank_start]__________[blank_end] movements toppled repressive
 regimes in North Africa and the Middle East, and Japan was 
rocked by a severe earthquake; e) 2014, when a resurgent Russia, under the increasingly 
 authoritarian leadership of Vladimir [blank_start]______[blank_end], annexed the 
 Crimea and violated the sovereignty of [blank_start]________[blank_end].

What are the four themes incorporated by Kesselman, Krieger and Joseph, in analyzing comparative politics? a) The globalizing world of [blank_start]_______[blank_end], b) Governing the [blank_start]________[blank_end], c) The [blank_start]__________[blank_end] idea, d) The politics of [blank_start]___________[blank_end] identities.

What are the policies followed by the Keynesian approach to regulating the economy for achieving stable economic growth? a) During a recession, state budget [blank_start]_________[blank_end] are used to expand 
demand in an effort to boost both consumption and 
investment, and to create [blank_start]___________[blank_end]. b) During periods of high growth when [blank_start]__________[blank_end] threatens, 
cuts in [blank_start]___________[blank_end] spending and c) a tightening of [blank_start]_______[blank_end] are used to reduce demand.

Countries are: a) distinct, politically defined [blank_start]____________[blank_end] b) that encompass [blank_start]____________[blank_end], c) composed of political [blank_start]_____________[blank_end], d) as well as cultures, economies, and [blank_start]___________[blank_end] identities.

One widely-used approach in doing comparative analysis involves developing causal theories: a) [blank_start]___________[blank_end] that can be expressed formally in a causal mode: b) “If X happens, then Y will be the [blank_start]_______[blank_end].” c) Such theories include factors (the [blank_start]____________[blank_end] variables, 
symbolized by X) d) that are believed to influence some outcome (the [blank_start]__________[blank_end] 
variable, symbolized by Y) that the analyst wants to explain.

In many long-established democracies, the importance of identities based on class membership has declined, although economically-based sources of collective identity do remain significant in influencing citizens’ party affiliation and preferences about economic policy

Identity-based conflicts appears to have disappeared with the rise of the nation-state and modernity.

Politics in democratic regimes involves a tug of war among groups over relative power and influence, both symbolic and substantive.

According to Alfred Stepan, there are many states in the entire world that are relatively homogeneous nation-states.

Religion is the one area where the collective identity of a group tends to minimize conflicts.

The meaning of democracy has rarely, if ever, been a contentious issue because political scientists have formulated some very clear-cut and precise conditions for the lay person and social scientists to embrace.

The Chinese Communist Party monopolizes most decision making, and its leaders are chosen by self-selection rather than popular election.

In Iran, a theocratic authoritarian regime, there are no contested multiparty elections allowed by the Islamic clergy.

Ever since democracy was restored in 1984, following a period of harsh military rule, Brazil has compiled a solid record of democratic practice.

For all of the problems that Putin has generated in Russia, there is one area where democracy holds true; that is, there are open and fair elections with multi-party competition.

Solidarities based on the shared experience of work or, more broadly, economic position refers to: 


We now know that the formation of group attachments and the interplay of politically relevant collective identities are:

The following country was carved out by colonial powers putting ethnic groups together with little regard to preexisting collective identities:

One of the primary reasons for the attacks of 9/11 by Al Qaeda against the U.S. was:

The use of power, particularly by the state, to allocate some kind of valued resource among competing groups.

He wrote that the ruling ideas of an age are the ideas of the ruling class—in other words that those with power and wealth shape the values in a society

A method of classifying by using criteria that divide a group of cases into smaller cases with common characteristics:

Approximately, how many countries are there in the world today?

Democratic political systems that have been solidly and stably established for an ample period of time and in which there is relatively consistent adherence to the core democratic principles: 


Countries whose political systems exhibit some democratic and some authoritarian elements: 


The richest 1 percent of Americans own how much of all U.S. wealth?

A system of rule in which power depends not on popular legitimacy but on the coercive force of the political authorities: 


The authors consider the following country a consolidated democracy:

According to Kesselman, et. al., what are the conditions that define a democracy? a) it requires the right of [blank_start]________[blank_end] b) it requires an independent [blank_start]__________[blank_end] c) it requires substantial [blank_start]_______[blank_end] equality d) it requires some [blank_start]_________[blank_end] of the [blank_start]_________[blank_end] field

The term authoritarianism refers to political systems in which a) power (or authority) is highly concentrated in a single 
 [blank_start]___________[blank_end], b) a small group of [blank_start]_______[blank_end], or c) a single [blank_start]__________[blank_end] [blank_start]______[blank_end], ethnic group, region, or d) [blank_start]____________[blank_end].

A according to the Chinese Communist Party, the political system of the People’s Republic of China is: a) based on “[blank_start]__________[blank_end] democracy,” b) which it claims is superior to the “[blank_start]__________[blank_end] democracy” of 
 capitalist countries c) that favors the interests of [blank_start]__________[blank_end] citizens.

Since Vladimir Putin’s reelection as president in 2012, the Russian government has engaged in numerous undemocratic practices including: a) arbitrary [blank_start]__________[blank_end] and b) rigged [blank_start]_______[blank_end] of opponents, c) repeated violations of the [blank_start]_____________[blank_end], and d) extensive political [blank_start]___________[blank_end].