Chapter 5

Question 1

Democracy

Answer 1

A political system in which political power is exercised, either directly or indirectly by the people

Question 2

Liberal Democracy

Answer 2

A political system that promotes participation, competition, and liberty and emphasizes individual freedoms and civil rights.

Question 3

Civil Rights

Answer 3

Individual rights regarding equality that are created by the constitution and the political regime

Question 4

Civil Liberties

Answer 4

Individual rights regarding freedom that are created by the constitution and the political regime

Question 5

Republicanism

Answer 5

Indirect democracy that emphasizes the separation of powers within a state and the representation of the public through elective officials

Question 6

Separation of Powers

Answer 6

The clear division of power among different branches of government and the provision that specifies branches may check the power of the other branches.

Question 7

Civil Society

Answer 7

Organizations outside the state that help people define and advance their own interests

Question 8

Executive

Answer 8

The branch of government that carries out the laws and policies of the state

Question 9

Head of state

Answer 9

The executive role that symbolizes and represents the people both nationally and internationally

Question 10

Head of government

Answer 10

The executive role that deals with the everyday tasks of running the state such as formulating and executing policy.

Question 11

Legislature

Answer 11

The branch of government charged with making laws

Question 12

Bicameral system

Answer 12

A political system in which the legislature comprises two houses

Question 13

Unicameral system

Answer 13

A political system in which the legislature comprises one house

Question 14

Rule of Law

Answer 14

A system in which all individuals and groups, including those in government, are subject to law, irrespective of their power or authority.

Question 15

Constitutional court

Answer 15

The highest judicial body in a political system that decides whether laws and policies violate the constitution

Question 16

Judicial review

Answer 16

The mechanism by which courts can review the actions of government and overturn those that violate the constitution

Question 17

Concrete review

Answer 17

Judicial review that allows a constitutional court to rule on the basis of actual legal disputes brought before

Question 18

Abstract review

Answer 18

Judicial review that allows the constitutional court to rule on questions that do not arise from actual legal disputes.

Question 19

Parliamentary system

Answer 19

A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are assigned to separate executive offices

Question 20

Vote of no confidence

Answer 20

Vote taken by legislature as to whether its members continue to support the current Prime Minister; depending on the country a vote of no confidence can force the resignation of the Prime Minister and/or lead a new parliamentary elections.

Question 21

Presidential system

Answer 21

A political system in which the roles of head of state and head of government are combined in one executive office

Question 22

Semi-presidential system

Answer 22

An executive system that divides power between two strong executives, a President and a Prime Minister

Question 23

Electoral system

Answer 23

A set of rules that govern how votes are cast, counted and translated into seats in a legislature

Question 24

Constituency

Answer 24

A geographical area that an elective official represents

Question 25

Single-member district (SMD)

Answer 25

An electoral district with one legislative seat

Question 26

Proportional representation (PR)

Answer 26

An electoral system in which political parties compete in multimember districts; voters choose between parties, and the seats in the district are awarded proportionately, according to the results of the vote.

Question 27

First past the post

Answer 27

An electoral system in which individual candidates compete in single-member districts; voters choose between candidates, and the candidate with the largest share of the vote wins the seat.

Question 28

Multi-member district (MMD)

Answer 28

An electoral district with more than one seat

Question 29

Mixed electoral system

Answer 29

An electoral system that uses a combination of a single-member districts and proportional represent.

Question 30

Referendum

Answer 30

A national vote called by a government to address a specific proposal, often a change to the constitution.

Question 31

Initiative

Answer 31

A national vote called by members of the public to address a specific proposal