POLS 200 - Foundations of Political
Science - EXAM 2 Complete Questions
with correct Answers
What is an institution? - correct answer-✅-rules that govern social interactions, constraining the
behavior of & the options open to actors
-equilibrium behavior among participants in social interactions
it is not required that an institution be _______ or ______ ______. - correct answer-✅formal
written down
(self-enforcement is important)
We should not expect the same set of political institutions, plopped down in different ________, to have
the same ________. - correct answer-✅environments
effects
The form of institution adopted in a country has... - correct answer-✅consequences for the distribution
of power.
Different methods of preference aggregation will produce different policy results, even if... - correct
answer-✅actors have the same set of preferences
while institutions are sticky, they can be _______. - correct answer-✅changed
A constitution is an institution that can... - correct answer-✅-coordinate expectations among actors
about the limits on state authority
-provide ideas about the likely actions actors will take when a new topic of conflict comes up
what is the main point of a constitution? - correct answer-✅it enables actors to anticipate the actions of
other actors, and thus to act strategically to pursue their policy interests
in which regime will a constitution not work so well, as they often ignore it? - correct answer-
✅authoritarian regime
What type of constitutional arrangement do people choose? - correct answer-✅• H1: if forces are
uneven & known --> institutions will be stable as long as the balance of force continues
• H2: if forces are balanced & known --> any outcome is possible (e.g., civil war, a dysfunctional
agreement, institutions that last)
• H3: if balance of forces is unknown --> institutions will contain a lot of checks to protect losers
Aristotle's typology of regime types: - correct answer-✅Ruled by: one, few, or many
From: genuine or perverted standpoint
Aristotle's 6 regime types - correct answer-✅Kingship
Aristocracy
Polity
Tyranny
Oligarchy
Democracy
Consolidation of democracy ≠ - correct answer-✅persistence (years of regime survival)
To consolidate a democratic regime involves: - correct answer-✅-removing perverse (undemocratic)
elements
-habituation to resolving conflicts that arise through democratic processes
a democratic regime can backslide and... - correct answer-✅regress away from consolidation
Polyarchy - correct answer-✅rule by many; government having three or more rulers
, key characteristics of a Polyarchy - correct answer-✅• Freedom to form & join organizations
• Freedom of expression
• Right to vote by (nearly) everyone in regular elections
• Eligibility for public office
• Right of political leaders to compete for support & votes
• Alternative sources of information
• Free & fair elections
• Institutions for making policies depend on voters & other expressions of preferences
• A shield to protect individual rights against government excess
Necessary "minimalist" characteristics to qualify as a democracy - correct answer-✅• Sponsors free &
fair competitive elections
• Allows for inclusive adult citizenship
• Protects civil liberties & political rights
• the elected governments really govern & the military is under civilian control
All types of regimes that are not democracies, and not totalitarian are... - correct answer-
✅Authoritarianism
types of regimes of authoritarianism - correct answer-✅• Military regimes
• Single party regimes
• Single-party dominant regimes
• Monarchy
• Personalist dictators
Key Characteristics of authoritarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Limited political pluralism
• Without elaborate & guiding ideology
• Without intensive or extensive political mobilization
• A leader or small group exercises power within formally ill-defined limits, but actually quite predictable
limits
• (may hold elections)
Key Characteristics of totalitarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Totalistic ideology
• Single, mass party
• Terroristic police force
• Monopolistic control over: Communications, Economy, Weapons
totalitarian regimes goal - correct answer-✅total penetration of society to achieve dreams & attempt to
transform the society
Competitive authoritarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Regimes that combine democratic rules with
authoritarian practices
--> they do not meet minimal standards for democracy
--> but also fall short of complete authoritarianism
Competitive authoritarian regimes can't avoid holding elections &.... - correct answer-✅it can't get away
with banning the opposition
Competitive authoritarian regimes frequently & seriously violates the rules, so... - correct answer-✅the
playing field is not level between government & opposition (BUT some arenas exist where the opposition
can speak out)
Regime change and waves of democratization (when/where) - correct answer-✅• Second wave of
democracy began after WWII, but many of the new democracies fell
• Third wave of democracy began in 1974 in southern Europe (Spread to Latin America, then Eastern
Europe, Africa and Asia)
There hasn't been a "_____ _____" where many democratic regimes fall, and authoritarian regimes are
installed
Science - EXAM 2 Complete Questions
with correct Answers
What is an institution? - correct answer-✅-rules that govern social interactions, constraining the
behavior of & the options open to actors
-equilibrium behavior among participants in social interactions
it is not required that an institution be _______ or ______ ______. - correct answer-✅formal
written down
(self-enforcement is important)
We should not expect the same set of political institutions, plopped down in different ________, to have
the same ________. - correct answer-✅environments
effects
The form of institution adopted in a country has... - correct answer-✅consequences for the distribution
of power.
Different methods of preference aggregation will produce different policy results, even if... - correct
answer-✅actors have the same set of preferences
while institutions are sticky, they can be _______. - correct answer-✅changed
A constitution is an institution that can... - correct answer-✅-coordinate expectations among actors
about the limits on state authority
-provide ideas about the likely actions actors will take when a new topic of conflict comes up
what is the main point of a constitution? - correct answer-✅it enables actors to anticipate the actions of
other actors, and thus to act strategically to pursue their policy interests
in which regime will a constitution not work so well, as they often ignore it? - correct answer-
✅authoritarian regime
What type of constitutional arrangement do people choose? - correct answer-✅• H1: if forces are
uneven & known --> institutions will be stable as long as the balance of force continues
• H2: if forces are balanced & known --> any outcome is possible (e.g., civil war, a dysfunctional
agreement, institutions that last)
• H3: if balance of forces is unknown --> institutions will contain a lot of checks to protect losers
Aristotle's typology of regime types: - correct answer-✅Ruled by: one, few, or many
From: genuine or perverted standpoint
Aristotle's 6 regime types - correct answer-✅Kingship
Aristocracy
Polity
Tyranny
Oligarchy
Democracy
Consolidation of democracy ≠ - correct answer-✅persistence (years of regime survival)
To consolidate a democratic regime involves: - correct answer-✅-removing perverse (undemocratic)
elements
-habituation to resolving conflicts that arise through democratic processes
a democratic regime can backslide and... - correct answer-✅regress away from consolidation
Polyarchy - correct answer-✅rule by many; government having three or more rulers
, key characteristics of a Polyarchy - correct answer-✅• Freedom to form & join organizations
• Freedom of expression
• Right to vote by (nearly) everyone in regular elections
• Eligibility for public office
• Right of political leaders to compete for support & votes
• Alternative sources of information
• Free & fair elections
• Institutions for making policies depend on voters & other expressions of preferences
• A shield to protect individual rights against government excess
Necessary "minimalist" characteristics to qualify as a democracy - correct answer-✅• Sponsors free &
fair competitive elections
• Allows for inclusive adult citizenship
• Protects civil liberties & political rights
• the elected governments really govern & the military is under civilian control
All types of regimes that are not democracies, and not totalitarian are... - correct answer-
✅Authoritarianism
types of regimes of authoritarianism - correct answer-✅• Military regimes
• Single party regimes
• Single-party dominant regimes
• Monarchy
• Personalist dictators
Key Characteristics of authoritarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Limited political pluralism
• Without elaborate & guiding ideology
• Without intensive or extensive political mobilization
• A leader or small group exercises power within formally ill-defined limits, but actually quite predictable
limits
• (may hold elections)
Key Characteristics of totalitarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Totalistic ideology
• Single, mass party
• Terroristic police force
• Monopolistic control over: Communications, Economy, Weapons
totalitarian regimes goal - correct answer-✅total penetration of society to achieve dreams & attempt to
transform the society
Competitive authoritarian regimes - correct answer-✅• Regimes that combine democratic rules with
authoritarian practices
--> they do not meet minimal standards for democracy
--> but also fall short of complete authoritarianism
Competitive authoritarian regimes can't avoid holding elections &.... - correct answer-✅it can't get away
with banning the opposition
Competitive authoritarian regimes frequently & seriously violates the rules, so... - correct answer-✅the
playing field is not level between government & opposition (BUT some arenas exist where the opposition
can speak out)
Regime change and waves of democratization (when/where) - correct answer-✅• Second wave of
democracy began after WWII, but many of the new democracies fell
• Third wave of democracy began in 1974 in southern Europe (Spread to Latin America, then Eastern
Europe, Africa and Asia)
There hasn't been a "_____ _____" where many democratic regimes fall, and authoritarian regimes are
installed
