COMPARATIVE POLITICAL
INSTITUTIONS (EXAM 1) (PITT)
What's the difference between regular and constructive vote of no-
confidence in semi-presidential and parliamentary systems? -
ANSWERS-A regular vote of no-confidence in a Parliamentary
system is a vote by Parliament to remove a government (the prime
minister and cabinet) from power. A constructive vote of no-
confidence in a semi-presidential system means that the Prime
Minister can be recalled only if a new one is elected at the same time.
Which vote of no-confidence is used by Britain? - ANSWERS-
Regular
Which vote of no-confidence is used by Germany? - ANSWERS-
Constructive
What are the basics of the Communist ideology as devised by Karl
Marx? - ANSWERS-Historical materialism: Assumption that material
forces are the prime movers of history and politics, Mode of
production: the economic system in any given historical area. It
determines "superstructure" (i.e., religion as "opium for the masses"),
and Social revolution: Transition from one mode of production to
another (i.e., feudalism to capitalism)
How was the application of Communism in the Soviet Union different
from the communist ideology as developed by Karl Marx? -
,ANSWERS-It became far less of the utopian society Marx had
envisioned, and much more of a totalitarian state. There was almost
no power in the hands of the people, with almost all of it being under
the control of both Lenin and Stalin.
What were the main features of the political system of the Soviet
Union under Stalin? - ANSWERS-The regime consisted of a set of
soviets, or legislative bodies, which made decisions at all levels. At
the top of the entire system was the politburo, the party's chief
decision-making organ.
What are the basics of the Fascist ideology? - ANSWERS-
Corporatism: system of representation in which one organization
represents each important sector of society, society considered akin to
a living organism, with the supreme leader as its head, anti-
communism and nationalism, civil society controlled by the state
How was Nazism different from Fascism? - ANSWERS-It was more
racist.
True/False: Italy from 1922-1943 was a Fascist country. -
ANSWERS-True
What's the difference between an authoritarian and totalitarian
regime? - ANSWERS-An authoritarian regime is simply a regime
lacking democratic characteristics, ruled by a single leader or small
group of leaders. A totalitarian regime is a regime that controls
virtually all aspects of society, while eliminating all vestiges of civil
society.
, True/False: Nazi Germany, the USSR from 1917-1956, and China
from 1949-1978 were totalitarian regimes. - ANSWERS-True
Definition of a "modernizing authoritarian" regime. - ANSWERS-A
claim to legitimacy based on the need to "develop" the country via the
rule of a modernizing elite.
What is the basis of the legitimacy of a "modernizing authoritarian"
regime? - ANSWERS-It's based solely on technocratic legitimacy;
aka, a claim to rule solely based on knowledge or expertise.
True/False: Brazil in 1960s and 1970s, Mexico before 2000, China,
and Vietnam have been modernizing authoritarian regimes. -
ANSWERS-True
Definition of a theocratic regime. - ANSWERS-Theocracy is rule by
religious authorities.
What is the basis of the legitimacy of a theocratic regime? -
ANSWERS-The legitimacy is based solely on authority from God
himself.
True/False: Iran, ISIS, and Vatican City are theocracies. - ANSWERS-
True
INSTITUTIONS (EXAM 1) (PITT)
What's the difference between regular and constructive vote of no-
confidence in semi-presidential and parliamentary systems? -
ANSWERS-A regular vote of no-confidence in a Parliamentary
system is a vote by Parliament to remove a government (the prime
minister and cabinet) from power. A constructive vote of no-
confidence in a semi-presidential system means that the Prime
Minister can be recalled only if a new one is elected at the same time.
Which vote of no-confidence is used by Britain? - ANSWERS-
Regular
Which vote of no-confidence is used by Germany? - ANSWERS-
Constructive
What are the basics of the Communist ideology as devised by Karl
Marx? - ANSWERS-Historical materialism: Assumption that material
forces are the prime movers of history and politics, Mode of
production: the economic system in any given historical area. It
determines "superstructure" (i.e., religion as "opium for the masses"),
and Social revolution: Transition from one mode of production to
another (i.e., feudalism to capitalism)
How was the application of Communism in the Soviet Union different
from the communist ideology as developed by Karl Marx? -
,ANSWERS-It became far less of the utopian society Marx had
envisioned, and much more of a totalitarian state. There was almost
no power in the hands of the people, with almost all of it being under
the control of both Lenin and Stalin.
What were the main features of the political system of the Soviet
Union under Stalin? - ANSWERS-The regime consisted of a set of
soviets, or legislative bodies, which made decisions at all levels. At
the top of the entire system was the politburo, the party's chief
decision-making organ.
What are the basics of the Fascist ideology? - ANSWERS-
Corporatism: system of representation in which one organization
represents each important sector of society, society considered akin to
a living organism, with the supreme leader as its head, anti-
communism and nationalism, civil society controlled by the state
How was Nazism different from Fascism? - ANSWERS-It was more
racist.
True/False: Italy from 1922-1943 was a Fascist country. -
ANSWERS-True
What's the difference between an authoritarian and totalitarian
regime? - ANSWERS-An authoritarian regime is simply a regime
lacking democratic characteristics, ruled by a single leader or small
group of leaders. A totalitarian regime is a regime that controls
virtually all aspects of society, while eliminating all vestiges of civil
society.
, True/False: Nazi Germany, the USSR from 1917-1956, and China
from 1949-1978 were totalitarian regimes. - ANSWERS-True
Definition of a "modernizing authoritarian" regime. - ANSWERS-A
claim to legitimacy based on the need to "develop" the country via the
rule of a modernizing elite.
What is the basis of the legitimacy of a "modernizing authoritarian"
regime? - ANSWERS-It's based solely on technocratic legitimacy;
aka, a claim to rule solely based on knowledge or expertise.
True/False: Brazil in 1960s and 1970s, Mexico before 2000, China,
and Vietnam have been modernizing authoritarian regimes. -
ANSWERS-True
Definition of a theocratic regime. - ANSWERS-Theocracy is rule by
religious authorities.
What is the basis of the legitimacy of a theocratic regime? -
ANSWERS-The legitimacy is based solely on authority from God
himself.
True/False: Iran, ISIS, and Vatican City are theocracies. - ANSWERS-
True
