Comparative Political Systems MCQs with Answers
Which of the following is a key feature of a parliamentary system?
A) The executive is separate from the legislature
B) The head of state and head of government are distinct
C) The executive is drawn from and accountable to the legislature
D) The judiciary has the most power
In a presidential system of government, the president:
A) Is appointed by the legislature
B) Serves as both head of state and head of government
C) Has no real power and is only a figurehead
D) Must rely on the legislature to form the government
What is a defining characteristic of a unitary state?
A) Power is shared between central and regional governments
B) Power is concentrated in the hands of the central government
C) It has multiple independent regions with equal power
D) The regions are sovereign states
Which system of government is characterized by a division of powers between a central government and regional governments?
A) Unitary system
B) Confederal system
C) Federal system
D) Monarchy
Which of the following is an example of a country with a federal system?
A) United Kingdom
B) United States
C) Japan
D) France
In a confederal system, the central government:
A) Has significant authority over the states or provinces
B) Relies heavily on the consent of the states or provinces
C) Has control over foreign affairs but not domestic policies
D) Is the primary source of law and regulation
What type of political system does the United Kingdom have?
A) Presidential system
B) Parliamentary system
C) Confederal system
D) Federal system
Which of the following political systems allows the people to directly elect their head of state?
A) Constitutional monarchy
B) Republic
C) Theocracy
D) Absolute monarchy
In a semi-presidential system, the president:
A) Has no power and is purely symbolic
B) Shares executive power with a prime minister
C) Holds all executive powers without any shared responsibilities
D) Works only as the head of state, not head of government
Which of the following is a characteristic of a theocratic system of government?
A) It is based on democratic elections
B) Religious leaders hold significant political power
C) Political power is divided between religious and secular authorities
D) Secular laws dominate the political system
Which type of government is most likely to have an unelected monarch as its head of state?
A) Democracy
B) Republic
C) Constitutional monarchy
D) Oligarchy
In a one-party state, political opposition is:
A) Strong and encouraged
B) Nonexistent or heavily restricted
C) Openly tolerated and encouraged
D) Limited to regional issues only
A major difference between a presidential system and a parliamentary system is that in a presidential system:
A) The president is directly elected by the people
B) The prime minister is accountable to the legislature
C) The executive and legislature are closely intertwined
D) The executive is chosen by the parliament
In a political system based on a mixed economy, the government typically:
A) Has complete control over all industries
B) Leaves all industries to be regulated by the market
C) Owns and operates many industries alongside private enterprises
D) Does not intervene in economic affairs
Which political system is characterized by a single political party controlling all aspects of government?
A) Democracy
B) One-party state
C) Republic
D) Federal system
Which of the following is a feature of a mixed-member proportional (MMP) electoral system?
A) Voters choose both a local representative and a party list
B) Only one representative is chosen per district
C) The system does not allow for proportional representation
D) Only party list votes count towards seat allocation
A key feature of direct democracy is:
A) Political decisions are made by elected representatives
B) Citizens participate directly in decision-making processes
C) Political leaders make all decisions without input from the public
D) The government is controlled by a single political party
Which of the following systems is most closely associated with a high level of political freedom?
A) Totalitarianism
B) Democracy
C) Oligarchy
D) Military dictatorship
Which of the following best describes the relationship between the executive and legislative branches in a parliamentary system?
A) The executive is separate and independent from the legislature
B) The executive is part of and accountable to the legislature
C) The legislature has no influence over the executive
D) The executive appoints members of the legislature
In a political system based on liberal democracy, political power is:
A) Concentrated in the hands of a single leader
B) Shared among multiple political parties and interest groups
C) Controlled by a single-party government
D) In the hands of military leaders
Which type of government system is most associated with authoritarian rule?
A) Democracy
B) Monarchy
C) Totalitarian regime
D) Parliamentary system
A key feature of a federal system of government is:
A) A single central government with no regional powers
B) Strong central control over all matters
C) The division of power between central and regional governments
D) A focus on one-party rule
Which of the following systems combines aspects of both presidential and parliamentary systems?
A) Semi-presidential system
B) Confederal system
C) Oligarchic system
D) Theocratic system
In a democracy, political power ultimately resides with:
A) The military
B) The monarch
C) The people
D) The political elites
In a one-party system, the government is typically:
A) Elected by the people in free elections
B) Controlled by a single political party with no competition
C) Managed by the military or armed forces
D) Divided between multiple political parties
Which system of government allows for the most political pluralism?
A) Totalitarian system
B) Democracy
C) Military dictatorship
D) One-party system
What is the main characteristic of an authoritarian regime?
A) Multiple political parties contest elections freely
B) A single leader or party holds significant power, limiting political freedoms
C) The judiciary is independent of the executive
D) Citizens have full freedom of speech and press
Which system of government is characterized by a ceremonial or symbolic head of state and an elected head of government?
A) Constitutional monarchy
B) Presidential system
C) Parliamentary system
D) One-party system
In a unitary system, the central government:
A) Shares power equally with regional governments
B) Has the ultimate authority and control over all political decisions
C) Is weak and relies on regional governments
D) Limits the power of the central authority