Page 1 of 168
POLS 121 FINAL EXAM 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
2 VERSIONS (VERSION A AND B) COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which of the following best defines “legitimacy” in political
science?
a) The legal right to use force
b) The belief that a rule or institution ought to be obeyed
c) The efficiency of policy implementation
d) The popularity of a leader in opinion polls
Answer: b) The belief that a rule or institution ought to be
obeyed
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Rationale: Legitimacy is normative; people obey because they
believe it’s right, not just because of coercion.
2. In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its
legitimacy from:
a) Direct election by the people
b) The legislature’s confidence
c) A separate presidential election
d) Judicial appointment
Answer: b) The legislature’s confidence
Rationale: The prime minister and cabinet are responsible to
parliament, which can remove them via vote of no confidence.
3. Scenario: Country X has a monarch with ceremonial powers
and an elected prime minister who runs the government. This is
a:
a) Absolute monarchy
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b) Constitutional monarchy
c) Presidential dictatorship
d) Theocracy
Answer: b) Constitutional monarchy
Rationale: Monarch’s powers are limited by constitution; real
executive power rests with prime minister.
4. Which ideology emphasizes private property, free markets,
and limited government?
a) Socialism
b) Liberalism (classical)
c) Fascism
d) Anarchism
Answer: b) Liberalism (classical)
Rationale: Classical liberalism (Locke, Smith) prioritizes
individual liberty and economic freedom.
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5. The concept of “failed state” refers to a state that:
a) Has no military
b) Cannot maintain a monopoly on violence or provide basic
services
c) Is very poor
d) Has no constitution
Answer: b) Cannot maintain a monopoly on violence or
provide basic services
Rationale: Weber’s state definition fails; internal conflict, loss
of territorial control.
6. Scenario: A citizen votes for a candidate not because of
policies but because their family always voted that way. This
reflects:
a) Rational choice voting
b) Prospective voting
POLS 121 FINAL EXAM 2026 ACTUAL EXAM
2 VERSIONS (VERSION A AND B) COMPLETE
QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED VERIFIED
ANSWERS (100% CORRECT ANSWERS)
/ALREADY GRADED A+
1. Which of the following best defines “legitimacy” in political
science?
a) The legal right to use force
b) The belief that a rule or institution ought to be obeyed
c) The efficiency of policy implementation
d) The popularity of a leader in opinion polls
Answer: b) The belief that a rule or institution ought to be
obeyed
,Page 2 of 168
Rationale: Legitimacy is normative; people obey because they
believe it’s right, not just because of coercion.
2. In a parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its
legitimacy from:
a) Direct election by the people
b) The legislature’s confidence
c) A separate presidential election
d) Judicial appointment
Answer: b) The legislature’s confidence
Rationale: The prime minister and cabinet are responsible to
parliament, which can remove them via vote of no confidence.
3. Scenario: Country X has a monarch with ceremonial powers
and an elected prime minister who runs the government. This is
a:
a) Absolute monarchy
,Page 3 of 168
b) Constitutional monarchy
c) Presidential dictatorship
d) Theocracy
Answer: b) Constitutional monarchy
Rationale: Monarch’s powers are limited by constitution; real
executive power rests with prime minister.
4. Which ideology emphasizes private property, free markets,
and limited government?
a) Socialism
b) Liberalism (classical)
c) Fascism
d) Anarchism
Answer: b) Liberalism (classical)
Rationale: Classical liberalism (Locke, Smith) prioritizes
individual liberty and economic freedom.
, Page 4 of 168
5. The concept of “failed state” refers to a state that:
a) Has no military
b) Cannot maintain a monopoly on violence or provide basic
services
c) Is very poor
d) Has no constitution
Answer: b) Cannot maintain a monopoly on violence or
provide basic services
Rationale: Weber’s state definition fails; internal conflict, loss
of territorial control.
6. Scenario: A citizen votes for a candidate not because of
policies but because their family always voted that way. This
reflects:
a) Rational choice voting
b) Prospective voting
