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Liberal democracy is characterized by a single dominant political party and a centralized government structure.
Answer: False
Liberal democracies are typically characterized by multi-party systems and a diffusion of power, not a single dominant party or a centralized structure.
Robert Dahl identified the right to vote and freedom of expression as essential rights for liberal democracies.
Answer: True
Robert Dahl identified eight key rights essential for liberal democracy, including the right to vote and freedom of expression.
Liberal democracies never impose limitations on freedoms such as free speech.
Answer: False
Liberal democracies often impose limitations on freedoms, such as hate speech or incitement, to protect public order, prevent harm, and ensure the functioning of democracy itself.
A regime is considered a liberal democracy if it provides civil rights and property rights, but not necessarily political rights like free elections.
Answer: False
A regime is considered a liberal democracy only if it includes civil rights, political rights (like free elections), and property rights, ensuring a comprehensive framework of freedoms and participation.
A 'loyal opposition' is a political group that actively seeks to overthrow the government through non-democratic means.
Answer: False
A 'loyal opposition' is a political group that, while opposing the government, adheres to democratic principles and does not seek to overthrow the state through illegitimate means.
Freedom of the press in liberal democracies can provide early warnings of problems by allowing governments to access diverse information.
Answer: True
Freedom of the press allows governments to access diverse information and potential warnings, contributing to better policy decisions and accountability.
The 'tyranny of the majority' refers to the concern that a democratic majority could oppress a minority group.
Answer: True
The 'tyranny of the majority' refers to the potential for a democratic majority to enact policies or exert influence that oppress or disregard the rights and interests of minority groups.
Constitutional protections for minority rights and the separation of powers are common defenses against the 'tyranny of the majority'.
Answer: True
Constitutional protections for minority rights, separation of powers, and checks and balances are common mechanisms designed to mitigate the risk of the 'tyranny of the majority'.
Pluralism in liberal democracy refers to the dominance of a single, unified political ideology.
Answer: False
Pluralism in liberal democracy refers to the existence of diverse groups and competing interests, not the dominance of a single ideology.
Private property rights are protected in liberal democracies to safeguard assets and support market economies.
Answer: True
Private property rights are a common feature of liberal democracies, serving to protect assets and investments from arbitrary state seizure or expropriation. This protection is considered fundamental to the functioning of market economies and the safeguarding of individual economic freedom.
An 'open society' is characterized by restricted access to information and limited public discourse.
Answer: False
An 'open society' is characterized by transparency, access to information, and robust public discourse, contrasting with closed or authoritarian systems.
Which of the following is a fundamental characteristic of liberal democracy according to the source?
Answer: Elections between multiple distinct political parties
Fundamental characteristics of liberal democracy include multi-party elections, protection of civil liberties, rule of law, and an independent judiciary.
According to Robert Dahl, which of the following is an essential right for liberal democracies?
Answer: Freedom to form and join organizations
Robert Dahl identified freedom to form and join organizations as one of the essential rights for liberal democracies.
What is a common justification for imposing limitations on freedoms like free speech in liberal democracies?
Answer: To prevent harm to others and guarantee the existence of democracy itself
Limitations on freedoms like free speech are often justified to prevent harm to others or to safeguard the existence and functioning of democracy itself.
What is the role of a 'loyal opposition' in democratic culture?
Answer: To tolerate political competitors and share commitment to democratic values
A 'loyal opposition' plays a vital role by tolerating political competitors and sharing a commitment to democratic values, ensuring peaceful transitions of power.
How does freedom of the press contribute to better policy decisions in liberal democracies, according to Anders Chydenius's argument?
Answer: By allowing governments to access and consider potentially undesirable information
Freedom of the press allows governments to access potentially undesirable information, serving as an early warning system and contributing to better policy decisions.
What is the 'harm principle' as articulated by John Stuart Mill?
Answer: Liberty should only be restricted to prevent harm to others.
The 'harm principle,' articulated by John Stuart Mill, posits that individual liberty should only be restricted to prevent harm to others. This principle is central to delineating the boundaries between personal freedom and state authority.
What does the concept of 'political equality' entail in the context of liberal democracy?
Answer: All voters' voices and votes counting equally
Political equality in liberal democracies means that all citizens' voices and votes should carry equal weight, and that citizens should possess the capacity to influence governmental policy. This necessitates universal adult suffrage, equitable electoral processes, and access to diverse information.
What is the primary function of the 'rule of law' in a liberal democracy?
Answer: To ensure governmental authority is exercised according to known, equally applied laws
The 'rule of law' ensures that governmental power is exercised strictly according to publicly established laws that are applied impartially to all individuals, including those in positions of authority. This principle ensures predictability, fairness, and prevents arbitrary governance, forming a cornerstone of liberal democracy.
What does 'universal suffrage' mean in the context of liberal democracy?
Answer: Voting rights are granted to all adult citizens.
Universal suffrage refers to the principle that all adult citizens possess the right to vote, irrespective of characteristics such as ethnicity, gender, property ownership, race, age, religion, or socioeconomic status. It is a foundational element of modern liberal democracies.
What is the 'social contract' theory's basic premise regarding government legitimacy?
Answer: Government legitimacy stems from the consent of the governed.
Social contract theory posits that individuals voluntarily cede certain freedoms to a governing authority in exchange for the protection of their remaining rights and the maintenance of social order. This mutual agreement forms the basis of the state's legitimacy in liberal political thought.
What does the concept of 'open society' entail in the context of liberal democracy?
Answer: A society where the rule of law is applied, and citizens have access to information and freedom to participate.
An 'open society' in liberal democracy implies transparency, access to information, and freedom of participation, contrasting with closed systems.
John Locke's contributions to liberal democracy included advocating for the separation of powers within government.
Answer: False
John Locke advocated for natural rights and the consent of the governed, not the separation of powers, which was primarily championed by Montesquieu.
The American and French Revolutions were pivotal in establishing early forms of liberal democracy by implementing Enlightenment principles.
Answer: True
The American and French Revolutions were indeed pivotal in implementing Enlightenment principles and establishing early forms of liberal democracy.
Seymour Martin Lipset suggested that a strong, centralized state is the primary precondition for liberal democracy.
Answer: False
Seymour Martin Lipset identified factors such as economic development, a strong middle class, and a flourishing civil society as crucial preconditions for liberal democracy, rather than a strong, centralized state.
The Enlightenment emphasized the role of tradition and inherited privilege in governance, challenging reason.
Answer: False
The Enlightenment championed reason, challenging traditional authorities and inherited privilege, and advocating for principles of liberty and equality.
Liberal democracy's origins are traced back to which period and region?
Answer: 18th-century Europe
Liberal democracy's origins are traced to 18th-century Europe, a period significantly shaped by the intellectual currents of the Age of Enlightenment.
Which Enlightenment thinker advocated for the principle of popular sovereignty and the 'general will'?
Answer: Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Jean-Jacques Rousseau advocated for popular sovereignty and the concept of the 'general will'.
Seymour Martin Lipset identified which factor as a crucial precondition for liberal democracy?
Answer: A significant middle class and flourishing civil society
Seymour Martin Lipset identified a significant middle class and a flourishing civil society as crucial preconditions for liberal democracy.
Which concept emphasizes the importance of reason in challenging traditional authorities during the Enlightenment?
Answer: The role of Reason
The Enlightenment emphasized the role of reason in challenging traditional authorities and advocating for principles of liberty and equality.
Proportional representation voting systems award seats based solely on regional majorities.
Answer: False
Proportional representation systems aim to allocate legislative seats in proportion to the votes received by parties, rather than solely based on regional majorities.
Germany and New Zealand utilize mixed-member proportional representation systems.
Answer: True
Germany and New Zealand are examples of countries that employ mixed-member proportional representation systems, combining elements of proportionality with direct constituency representation.
In a presidential system, the executive branch is dependent on the support of the parliament.
Answer: False
In a presidential system, the executive branch is typically elected independently of the legislature, whereas in a parliamentary system, the executive is dependent on the confidence of the parliament.
Proponents of compulsory voting argue it restricts individual freedom and increases the cost of elections.
Answer: False
Proponents of compulsory voting argue it enhances electoral legitimacy and participation; critics argue it infringes on freedom and may lead to uninformed votes.
Federalism involves a vertical separation of powers between different levels of government.
Answer: True
Federalism is a system that divides governing authority vertically between national and subnational levels of government.
In a plurality voting system, how is a legislative seat typically awarded?
Answer: To the candidate or party with the most votes in a specific region
In a plurality voting system, the legislative seat is typically awarded to the candidate or party that receives the most votes in a specific region, regardless of whether it constitutes a majority.
What is the primary characteristic distinguishing a parliamentary system from a presidential system?
Answer: The executive branch depends on the support of the parliament
The primary difference between parliamentary and presidential systems lies in the executive branch's dependence on the support of the parliament in the former, versus separate election in the latter.
How does federalism contribute to the structure of some liberal democracies?
Answer: By dividing governing authority between different levels of government
Federalism contributes to the structure of liberal democracies by dividing governing authority between different levels of government.
Liberal democracies are statistically associated with higher levels of corruption compared to other forms of government.
Answer: False
Empirical studies generally associate liberal democracies with lower, not higher, levels of corruption compared to other governmental systems.
Substantive democracy focuses solely on the procedural aspects of elections and voting.
Answer: False
Substantive democracy encompasses the quality of governance and the realization of rights and freedoms, extending beyond mere procedural aspects like elections.
Higher degrees of economic freedom are statistically linked to decreased economic growth.
Answer: False
Studies consistently show that higher degrees of economic freedom are statistically linked to increased economic growth.
A high degree of oil or mineral exports is associated with democratic rule, as it fosters broader economic development.
Answer: False
A high degree of oil or mineral exports is strongly associated with non-democratic rule, as resource wealth can reduce the need for broad-based taxation and citizen accountability.
Liberal democracies are associated with political instability due to frequent changes in government.
Answer: False
Liberal democracies are generally associated with greater political stability due to mechanisms for peaceful power transitions and institutionalized conflict resolution, rather than instability.
The 'democratic peace theory' suggests that liberal democracies are more likely to engage in warfare with each other than with non-democracies.
Answer: False
The 'democratic peace theory' posits that liberal democracies are less likely to engage in warfare with each other than with non-democracies.
Research indicates that democratic institutions and freedom of the press are associated with higher levels of corruption.
Answer: False
Research indicates that democratic institutions and freedom of the press are associated with lower, not higher, levels of corruption.
Socialist and Marxist critics argue that liberal democracy under capitalism primarily serves the interests of the working class.
Answer: False
Socialist and Marxist critics argue that liberal democracy under capitalism primarily serves the interests of the bourgeoisie (owner class), not the working class.
Populism can undermine liberal democracy by prioritizing majority will over individual rights and showing disdain for opposition.
Answer: True
Populism can indeed undermine liberal democracy by emphasizing majority will over individual rights, showing disdain for opposition, and potentially eroding institutional norms.
The 'Propaganda Model' suggests that media in liberal democracies present a wide spectrum of diverse, independent viewpoints.
Answer: False
The 'Propaganda Model' suggests that media concentration and economic pressures in liberal democracies can limit the diversity of viewpoints presented, rather than ensuring a wide spectrum.
A criticism of liberal democracies is that the need for regular elections encourages focus on long-term societal challenges.
Answer: False
A frequent criticism is that the necessity of periodic elections incentivizes governments to prioritize policies offering short-term benefits to voters, potentially at the expense of addressing complex, long-term societal challenges.
Studies suggest that terrorism is most prevalent in nations with very high levels of political freedom.
Answer: False
Studies indicate that terrorism tends to be most prevalent in nations experiencing intermediate levels of political freedom, often during periods of political transition, rather than in states with either strong autocratic rule or high degrees of political liberty.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a societal benefit correlated with liberal democracies?
Answer: Higher levels of corruption
Higher levels of corruption are not listed as a societal benefit correlated with liberal democracies; rather, they are generally associated with lower corruption.
What is the general finding regarding the impact of democratization on economic growth?
Answer: It is generally considered beneficial.
Contemporary academic studies generally find that democratization has a beneficial effect on national economic growth, although the precise causal mechanisms are subject to ongoing study.
Which factor is strongly associated with non-democratic rule worldwide, according to the source?
Answer: A high degree of oil or mineral exports
A high degree of oil or mineral exports is strongly associated with non-democratic rule worldwide, as it can reduce the state's reliance on citizen taxation.
The 'democratic peace theory' suggests that liberal democracies are less likely to engage in what with each other?
Answer: Warfare or militarized disputes
The 'democratic peace theory' suggests that liberal democracies are less likely to engage in warfare or militarized disputes with each other.
What is the core criticism of liberal democracy from socialist and Marxist perspectives?
Answer: It is inherently class-based and serves the interests of the bourgeoisie.
From socialist and Marxist viewpoints, liberal democracy under capitalism is criticized as being inherently class-based, serving the interests of the bourgeoisie (the owner class) rather than genuinely representing the populace.
Which of the following is a common criticism of liberal democracies regarding their focus on political goals?
Answer: They encourage focus on short-term benefits due to electoral cycles.
A common criticism is that the electoral cycle in liberal democracies encourages a focus on short-term benefits rather than addressing complex, long-term societal challenges.
Studies by Gilens and Page suggest that in the U.S., who has little influence on government policy?
Answer: Average citizens
Studies by Gilens and Page suggest that average citizens have little influence on U.S. government policy, unlike economic elites and business interest groups.
What is the 'Propaganda Model' concerning media in liberal democracies?
Answer: Media ownership concentration limits the range of opinions presented.
The 'Propaganda Model' posits that media ownership concentration and economic factors in liberal democracies limit the range of presented opinions, potentially distorting public discourse.
What is a key defense against the 'tyranny of the majority' mentioned in the source?
Answer: Requiring supermajorities for constitutional changes
Key defenses against the 'tyranny of the majority' include constitutional protections for minority rights and the requirement for supermajorities for constitutional changes.
Substantive democracy focuses solely on the procedural aspects of elections and voting.
Answer: False
Substantive democracy encompasses the quality of governance and the realization of rights and freedoms, extending beyond mere procedural aspects like elections.
Authoritarian regimes are seen as posing a challenge to liberal democracy by becoming more assertive globally.
Answer: True
Assertive authoritarian regimes challenge liberal democracy by seeking to reshape the global order in their image and potentially influencing democratic states to adopt more authoritarian measures. This creates a systemic challenge to democratic norms and institutions.
What concept refers to the presence of substantive rights and laws, including equality of outcome?
Answer: Substantive democracy
Substantive democracy refers to the presence of substantive rights and laws, encompassing aspects like equality of outcome and non-discrimination.
What distinguishes a liberal democracy from an electoral democracy, according to the text?
Answer: The inclusion of equal treatment and non-discrimination in justice and public services
Liberal democracy is distinguished from electoral democracy by its inclusion of substantive rights, such as equal treatment and non-discrimination in justice and public services.