* not completed

. A key advantage of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system is ________.

a) it allocates seats in strict proportion to public preferences correct incorrect

b) it invariably produces majority governments correct incorrect

c) it is easy to understand correct incorrect

d) it keeps to a minimum the number of "wasted" votes correct incorrect

* not completed

. Systems of proportional representation very often produce ________.

a) strong majority governments correct incorrect

b) coalition governments correct incorrect

c) two-party systems correct incorrect

d) all of the above correct incorrect

* not completed

. The alternative member model means that ________.

a) elected representatives have to nominate a substitute in case they die while in office correct incorrect

b) all the seats are filled from party lists correct incorrect

c) the candidates with the most "alternative" and unusual policies have the best chance of winning correct incorrect

d) some seats are filled through a plurality vote, while others are based on proportional representation correct incorrect

* not completed

. It has been argued that states are starting to move away from FPTP to proportional representation because ________.

a) long-established parties are less likely to suffer truly catastrophic election defeats under proportional representation correct incorrect

b) politicians prefer coalitions to majority governments correct incorrect

c) voters are better informed nowadays and can understand proportional representation correct incorrect

d) proportional representation makes it easier for minority parties to win representation in an assembly correct incorrect

* not completed

. It can be argued that it is irrational to join a political party because ________.

a) they don't have any principles correct incorrect

b) the costs of active membership outweigh the likely benefits correct incorrect

c) only middle-aged, middle-class men ever get elected correct incorrect

d) parties only ever do anything at election time correct incorrect

* not completed

. Parties emerged within the US Congress because ________.

a) the media wanted to simplify political coverage by grouping politicians under different labels correct incorrect

b) congressmen lacked the moral courage to fight elections as independents correct incorrect

c) it proved too time-consuming to have to build coalitions from scratch in order to support or oppose every piece of legislation correct incorrect

d) socialist members of the working class established a party of their own to fight the power of the bourgeoisie correct incorrect

* not completed

. "Catch-all" parties are ________.

a) organizations that seek to establish one-party states correct incorrect

b) organizations that have no constructive policies and just try to catch out their opponents when they make mistakes correct incorrect

c) organizations that try to maximize support by offering policies which avoid ideological controversy and appeal to the "median voter" correct incorrect

d) all of the above correct incorrect

* not completed

. The party system in any state is usually affected by ________.

a) the electoral system correct incorrect

b) economic cleavages in society correct incorrect

c) the constitution correct incorrect

d) all of the above correct incorrect

* not completed

. A key justification of state funding for political parties is ________.

a) the party leaders deserve to live in guaranteed comfort correct incorrect

b) it will ensure the survival of long-established parties correct incorrect

c) it should reduce the dependence of parties on rich donuts with vested interests correct incorrect

d) it should reduce the dependence of parties on rich donors with vested interests correct incorrect

* not completed

. Recently there has been a trend for parties in long-established liberal democracies to ________.

a) increase their rank and file membership correct incorrect

b) prefer ideological purity to office-holding correct incorrect

c) choose more mature, experienced leaders regardless of their media images correct incorrect

d) become more professionalized" and "candidate-centred"" correct incorrect

* not completed

. Elections are vital to democracy because ________.

a) elections express the will of politicians correct incorrect

b) preventing elections is not democratic correct incorrect

c) free, fair elections held at regular intervals is important to express the will of the people correct incorrect

d) poll taxes and literacy tests are not democratic correct incorrect

* not completed

. The electoral systems are part of the proportional representation are ________.

a) Two-round system (France) and Single Transferable vote (Ireland) correct incorrect

b) Alternative vote (Australia) correct incorrect

c) Party List (Netherlands, Israel, Brazil) and Single Transferable vote (Ireland) correct incorrect

d) Hybrids and Two-round system (France) correct incorrect

* not completed

. Advantages of proportional representation include ________.

a) fewer wasted votes, stable policy, favours smaller parties, and coalition government correct incorrect

b) lack of popularity in the European Union member states correct incorrect

c) minority governments, collaborative policies, and wasted votes correct incorrect

d) wasted votes and a majority government correct incorrect

* not completed

. The standard lament about political parties is ________.

a) parties are corrupt and do not stand for anything correct incorrect

b) parties waste time fighting with one another, instead of solving problems correct incorrect

c) parties are only active during an election and are ill-prepared to govern correct incorrect

d) all of the above correct incorrect

* not completed

. Viability is hard for new parties because ________.

a) they do not have the name recognition of an established party correct incorrect

b) the old parties are powerful correct incorrect

c) it is difficult to establish an image, raise money, recruit members, and it is hard to compete in elections correct incorrect

d) it is too easy for them to raise money and compete in elections correct incorrect