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Question 1

Which of the following is a key advantage of the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system?

a) It allocates seats in strict proportion to public preferences.

b) It invariably produces majority governments.

c) It is easy to understand.

d) It keeps to a minimum the number of 'wasted' votes.

Question 2

Systems of proportional representation very often produce...

a) strong majority governments.

b) coalition governments.

c) two-party systems.

d) all of the above.

Question 3

The Alternative Member Model means that...

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

b) all the seats are filled from party lists.

c) the candidates with the most 'alternative' and unusual policies have the best chance of winning.

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

Question 4

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.

b) politicians prefer coalitions to majority governments.

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

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

Question 5

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

a) they don't have any principles.

b) the costs of active membership outweigh the likely benefits.

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

d) parties only ever do anything at election time.

Question 6

Parties emerged within the US Congress because...

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

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

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

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

Question 7

What are 'catch-all' parties?

a) Organizations which seek to establish one-party states.

b) Organizations which have no constructive policies and just try to catch out their opponents when they make mistakes.

c) Organizations which try to maximize support by offering policies which avoid ideological controversy and appeal to the 'median voter'.

d) All of the above.

Question 8

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

a) the electoral system.

b) economic cleavages in society.

c) the constitution.

d) all of the above.

Question 9

Which of the following is a key justification of state funding for political parties?

a) The party leaders deserve to live in guaranteed comfort.

b) It will ensure the survival of long-established parties.

c) It should reduce the dependence of parties on rich donuts with vested interests.

d) It should reduce the dependence of parties on rich donors with vested interests.

Question 10

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

a) increase their rank and file membership.

b) prefer ideological purity to office-holding.

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

d) become more 'professionalised' and 'candidate-centred'.

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 11.

Chapter 11

Instructions