©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11:32AM. A+
Comparative Political Institutions (Exam 1)
(Pitt) Exam Questions With Correct Answers
100% Verified.
Outline the definition of the state as proposed by Max Weber. - Answer✔Max Weber described
the state as "an entity which successfully claims a 'monopoly of the legitimate use of physical
force within a given territory.'" To Weber, the modern state would be considered the ideal
type.
Explain the difference between external and internal sovereignty. Give two examples of states
lacking external sovereignty and two examples of states lacking internal sovereignty. -
Answer✔External sovereignty is sovereignty relative to outside powers that is legally
recognized in international law, requiring the ability to defend its territory without being overly
dependent on another power. Examples of states that lacked external sovereignty were the
American colonies before the Revolution, and Japanese-controlled Manchuria during World
War II. Internal sovereignty is the sole authority within a territory capable of making and
enforcing laws and policies, with the ability to defend it. Examples of states that lack internal
sovereignty are Libya and Somalia.
What are differences between a nation and an ethnic group? Give two examples of each
category. - Answer✔A nation is a group that proclaims itself to be such, and has (or seeks)
control of a state. Examples of nations include the Irish (in Ireland) and the Palestinians (in
Palestine). Ethnic groups, on the other hand, are groups of people that see themselves as
united by cultural attributes or common history, but don't claim themselves as nations or seek
control of a state. Examples of ethnic groups include African-Americans and Asian-Americans in
the United States.
Explain differences between territorial and ethnic nations. Give two examples of each. -
Answer✔In a territorial nation, everybody living within that certain territory (apart from recent
immigrants) can identify within the nation as a citizen, without being limited by cultural
characteristics. Examples include Nigeria and the U.S. In an ethnic nation, being a member is a
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11:32AM. A+
matter of ethnic belonging (common culture and/or language, religion). However, not everyone
can directly claim they belong. Examples include Poland and Vietnam.
Explain differences between civic and cultural nationalism. Give an example of a country where
each is dominant. - Answer✔Civic nationalism is a sense of national unity and purpose based on
a set of commonly held political beliefs, and those who share those beliefs are considered part
of the nation. The most obvious example of this is the United States. Cultural nationalism is a
sense of national unity based on a common cultural characteristic, rather than political beliefs.
Only the people that share that characteristic can be included in the nation. An example of this
is Japan.
Explain the differences between the four models of relationship between the state and
religions: state religion, neutral state model, Laïcité, and positive accommodation. Give an
example of one country where each model is applied. - Answer✔State religion is state-
sponsored and promoted religion. An example of this would be found in most Middle Eastern
countries like Saudi Arabia. The neutral state model is a model of secularism wherein the state
is neutral about, but not opposed to religion. An example of this would be the United States.
Laïcité is a model of secularism advocating that religion should play no part in the public realm.
An example of this would be Mexico. Positive accommodation is a model of secularism wherein
the state is neutral about (but willing to support) religions that it recognizes as important
elements in civil society. An example of this would be Germany.
Explain the difference between a head of state and head of government. Give an example of
each. - Answer✔The head of state is the official, symbolic representative of a country,
authorized to speak on its behalf and represent it. An example of this would be Queen Elizabeth
II for Britain. The head of government is the key executive power in a state. An example of this
would be the President of the United States (though he also acts as head of state).
Define presidentialism as a system of government. Give two examples of countries with this
system of government. Identify the office of a head of state and the office of the head of
government in each example. - Answer✔Presidentialism is defined as "a presidential system of
democracy in which the executive and legislature are elected independently and have separate
and independent powers." Two examples of countries with Presidentialism are the United
States and the Philippines, where the elected President serves as both head of state and head
of government.
Define parliamentarism as a system of government. Give two examples of countries with this
system of government, one being a monarchy and one being a republic. Identify the office of a
head of state and the office of the head of government in each example. -
Answer✔Parliamentarism is defined as "a parliamentary system of democracy in which the
executive and legislative branches are fused via Parliament's election of the chief executive." An
example of a parliamentary monarchy would be the UK, where the Queen acts as head of state,
but the Prime Minister acts as head of government. An example of a parliamentary republic
2
Comparative Political Institutions (Exam 1)
(Pitt) Exam Questions With Correct Answers
100% Verified.
Outline the definition of the state as proposed by Max Weber. - Answer✔Max Weber described
the state as "an entity which successfully claims a 'monopoly of the legitimate use of physical
force within a given territory.'" To Weber, the modern state would be considered the ideal
type.
Explain the difference between external and internal sovereignty. Give two examples of states
lacking external sovereignty and two examples of states lacking internal sovereignty. -
Answer✔External sovereignty is sovereignty relative to outside powers that is legally
recognized in international law, requiring the ability to defend its territory without being overly
dependent on another power. Examples of states that lacked external sovereignty were the
American colonies before the Revolution, and Japanese-controlled Manchuria during World
War II. Internal sovereignty is the sole authority within a territory capable of making and
enforcing laws and policies, with the ability to defend it. Examples of states that lack internal
sovereignty are Libya and Somalia.
What are differences between a nation and an ethnic group? Give two examples of each
category. - Answer✔A nation is a group that proclaims itself to be such, and has (or seeks)
control of a state. Examples of nations include the Irish (in Ireland) and the Palestinians (in
Palestine). Ethnic groups, on the other hand, are groups of people that see themselves as
united by cultural attributes or common history, but don't claim themselves as nations or seek
control of a state. Examples of ethnic groups include African-Americans and Asian-Americans in
the United States.
Explain differences between territorial and ethnic nations. Give two examples of each. -
Answer✔In a territorial nation, everybody living within that certain territory (apart from recent
immigrants) can identify within the nation as a citizen, without being limited by cultural
characteristics. Examples include Nigeria and the U.S. In an ethnic nation, being a member is a
1
, ©THESTAR 2024/2025 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 11:32AM. A+
matter of ethnic belonging (common culture and/or language, religion). However, not everyone
can directly claim they belong. Examples include Poland and Vietnam.
Explain differences between civic and cultural nationalism. Give an example of a country where
each is dominant. - Answer✔Civic nationalism is a sense of national unity and purpose based on
a set of commonly held political beliefs, and those who share those beliefs are considered part
of the nation. The most obvious example of this is the United States. Cultural nationalism is a
sense of national unity based on a common cultural characteristic, rather than political beliefs.
Only the people that share that characteristic can be included in the nation. An example of this
is Japan.
Explain the differences between the four models of relationship between the state and
religions: state religion, neutral state model, Laïcité, and positive accommodation. Give an
example of one country where each model is applied. - Answer✔State religion is state-
sponsored and promoted religion. An example of this would be found in most Middle Eastern
countries like Saudi Arabia. The neutral state model is a model of secularism wherein the state
is neutral about, but not opposed to religion. An example of this would be the United States.
Laïcité is a model of secularism advocating that religion should play no part in the public realm.
An example of this would be Mexico. Positive accommodation is a model of secularism wherein
the state is neutral about (but willing to support) religions that it recognizes as important
elements in civil society. An example of this would be Germany.
Explain the difference between a head of state and head of government. Give an example of
each. - Answer✔The head of state is the official, symbolic representative of a country,
authorized to speak on its behalf and represent it. An example of this would be Queen Elizabeth
II for Britain. The head of government is the key executive power in a state. An example of this
would be the President of the United States (though he also acts as head of state).
Define presidentialism as a system of government. Give two examples of countries with this
system of government. Identify the office of a head of state and the office of the head of
government in each example. - Answer✔Presidentialism is defined as "a presidential system of
democracy in which the executive and legislature are elected independently and have separate
and independent powers." Two examples of countries with Presidentialism are the United
States and the Philippines, where the elected President serves as both head of state and head
of government.
Define parliamentarism as a system of government. Give two examples of countries with this
system of government, one being a monarchy and one being a republic. Identify the office of a
head of state and the office of the head of government in each example. -
Answer✔Parliamentarism is defined as "a parliamentary system of democracy in which the
executive and legislative branches are fused via Parliament's election of the chief executive." An
example of a parliamentary monarchy would be the UK, where the Queen acts as head of state,
but the Prime Minister acts as head of government. An example of a parliamentary republic
2
