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Quizzes > Society & Culture > Politics & Civics

Test Your Political Science Knowledge Now

Think you can ace these questions on political science? Dive in and challenge your skills!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
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Use this political science quiz to practice tough questions and see what to review next. Warm up with quick trivia, or switch to the full quiz for a broader mix. Play a few rounds and aim for a higher score each time.

Which term describes a political system where power is concentrated in a single central authority?
Confederation
Unitary state
Pluralism
Federalism
A unitary state centralizes decision-making power in a single national government rather than dividing it among regional entities. This contrasts with federal systems where authority is constitutionally split. In a unitary system, subnational units execute policies but hold no sovereignty. Learn more about this structure .
What principle is described by dividing government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches?
Bicameralism
Checks and balances
Federalism
Separation of powers
The separation of powers is a doctrine that divides government authority among three branches to prevent the concentration of power and provide mutual oversight. Montesquieu articulated this framework to safeguard liberty. While checks and balances are related, they are the tools through which these branches limit each other. Further reading is available .
In political science, what is the definition of a "nation"?
A governmental institution that creates laws
A specific political ideology
A group of people with a shared identity and culture
A territory with defined borders
A nation is a sociocultural community characterized by shared language, culture, or historical experiences. It differs from a state, which is a political entity with sovereignty over territory. Nations may or may not possess their own sovereign state. For more detail, see .
Which political ideology emphasizes individual liberty, limited government, and free markets?
Liberalism
Socialism
Nationalism
Conservatism
Classical liberalism prioritizes individual freedoms, the rule of law, and minimal state intervention in the economy. Modern liberalism also supports social welfare but remains rooted in the protection of civil liberties. This tradition emerged in the 17th and 18th centuries. Read more .
What type of democracy allows citizens to vote directly on policy issues?
Participatory democracy
Direct democracy
Plural democracy
Representative democracy
Direct democracy enables citizens to decide on legislation and policy proposals without intermediary representatives. Instruments include referendums and initiatives. It contrasts with representative democracy, where elected officials make decisions on behalf of citizens. More information is available .
What term refers to rule by a small group of elites?
Oligarchy
Theocracy
Democracy
Autocracy
An oligarchy is a form of power structure where a small number of people control the state, often based on wealth, family ties, or military influence. It differs from autocracy, in which power rests with a single individual. Historical examples include ancient Sparta. Learn more .
Which document established the federal government of the United States?
Articles of Confederation
Constitution
Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
The U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1788, created the structure of the federal government and separated powers among three branches. It replaced the weaker Articles of Confederation. The Bill of Rights comprises the first ten amendments to that document. More at .
In comparative politics, which system divides power between national and regional governments?
Unitary state
Confederation
Parliamentary system
Federalism
Federalism is a system in which sovereignty is constitutionally split between a central authority and its constituent political units, such as states or provinces. Each level has autonomy in certain policy areas. Examples include the United States, Germany, and Canada. See .
What is political socialization?
The process of learning political values and norms
The process by which public policy is made
A theory of collective action
A method of political campaigning
Political socialization is the lifelong process through which individuals acquire political beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors. Agents include family, schools, media, and peer groups. This shapes voting patterns and civic engagement. Read more .
What voting system awards seats in proportion to the share of votes each party receives?
Proportional representation
First-past-the-post
Plurality runoff
Mixed-member majoritarian
Proportional representation allocates legislative seats based on each party's percentage of the total vote. This system promotes multi-party representation and reduces wasted votes. Variants include party-list and single transferable vote. For details, see .
What theory suggests individuals vote based on self-interest and cost-benefit calculations?
Behavioralism
Rational choice theory
Postmodernism
Structuralism
Rational choice theory posits that political actors make decisions by weighing costs and benefits to maximize personal utility. In voting, this implies decisions reflect perceived benefits minus costs like time or effort. Critics note it may oversimplify human behavior. More at .
Which interest group tactic involves direct interaction with legislators to influence policy?
Grassroots lobbying
Mobilization
Astroturf campaigns
Inside lobbying
Inside lobbying refers to direct, often private, interactions between lobbyists and political decision-makers, such as briefings or meetings. It contrasts with grassroots lobbying, which mobilizes the public to pressure legislators. Inside lobbying can shape legislation at early stages. See .
What is gerrymandering?
A referendum held on budget issues
Term limits imposed on elected officials
The use of executive orders to bypass legislature
The process of redrawing electoral districts for partisan advantage
Gerrymandering manipulates electoral district boundaries to create a political advantage for a party or group. Techniques include 'packing' and 'cracking' voters. It can undermine representative fairness. More information is available .
Political efficacy refers to:
A citizen's faith and trust in government institutions
The ability of media to influence elections
The belief that one's political participation makes a difference
The level of corruption in a political system
Political efficacy measures citizens' belief that they can understand and influence political affairs. Internal efficacy is confidence in one's own abilities, and external efficacy concerns government responsiveness. High efficacy correlates with greater political participation. Read more .
In the public policy cycle, which stage involves identifying problems that require government action?
Policy formulation
Policy implementation
Agenda-setting
Policy evaluation
Agenda-setting is the process by which issues are recognized and prioritized by policymakers and the public. It marks the first step in the policy cycle. Without recognition, no policy response follows. More description at .
Which electoral system uses single-member districts and first-past-the-post voting?
Plurality system
Mixed-member proportional
Single transferable vote
Proportional representation
The plurality or 'first-past-the-post' system awards victory to the candidate with the most votes in single-member districts. This often produces majority governments but can distort vote-seat ratios. Countries like the UK use it. Details at .
In international relations theory, which concept describes state behavior guided by self-interest and power considerations?
Liberalism
Feminism
Constructivism
Realism
Realism posits that states operate in an anarchic international system, prioritizing survival through power accumulation. It emphasizes national interest and military capability. Key thinkers include Morgenthau and Waltz. Learn more .
Which branch of government is primarily responsible for interpreting laws?
Executive branch
Legislative branch
Judicial branch
Bureaucratic branch
The judicial branch, including courts and judges, interprets and applies laws to individual cases. It can also review constitutionality of legislation. This ensures checks and balances within government. More at .
Which international relations theory emphasizes the role of institutions in mitigating anarchy?
Critical theory
Constructivism
Liberal institutionalism
Realism
Liberal institutionalism argues that international organizations and norms help states cooperate despite the anarchic system. It asserts that institutions reduce transaction costs and provide information. This contrasts with realist views of perpetual power competition. Read more .
What is the main argument of social contract theory?
Individuals consent to government authority in exchange for protection
Political legitimacy comes from hereditary monarchy
Society is best ordered by an absolute ruler
Governments derive authority from divine right
Social contract theorists like Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau propose that political authority stems from an explicit or implicit agreement among individuals to form a state. In exchange for protection of rights, people transfer some freedoms to a governing body. This concept underpins modern democratic legitimacy. More at .
What does the principal-agent problem describe in political representation?
When two parties form a coalition government
When elected officials (agents) pursue interests divergent from those who elected them (principals)
When appointed officials refuse to leave office
When voters have more information than their representatives
The principal-agent problem arises when agents (e.g., politicians) have incentives that differ from their principals (e.g., voters), creating potential conflicts of interest. Asymmetric information allows agents to act in self-interest. Solutions include oversight, performance metrics, and electoral accountability. See .
In Marxist theory, what is referred to as the 'base'?
The ruling political ideology
The economic structure of society
The system of formal institutions
The ethical values upheld by elites
In Marxist analysis, the 'base' comprises the forces and relations of production - essentially the economic foundation of society. The 'superstructure' includes culture, institutions, and politics built upon that base. Changes in the base drive social transformation. Read more .
Which game theory model illustrates why two rational actors might fail to cooperate even if cooperation is mutually beneficial?
Prisoner's dilemma
Chicken game
Battle of the sexes
Stag hunt
The prisoner's dilemma demonstrates that two rational individuals might choose non-cooperation because each fears the other will defect, even though mutual cooperation yields a better collective outcome. This has been applied to arms races and collective action problems. It highlights trust issues in strategic interaction. More at .
What is a predominant characteristic of a 'hybrid regime' in political science?
Rule by a single-party communist government
Strict separation of powers with no executive influence
A mix of democratic and authoritarian practices
Complete adherence to democratic norms
Hybrid regimes combine elements of democracy, like elections, with authoritarian traits, such as restrictions on civil liberties and weakened rule of law. These systems often feature electoral manipulation and limited pluralism. They challenge binary classifications of regimes. For more, see .
What term describes central banks operating free from direct political control?
Central bank independence
Open market operations
Fiscal autonomy
Monetary neutrality
Central bank independence means the institution can set monetary policy without short-term political interference. This autonomy is thought to reduce inflationary bias and enhance credibility. Many modern central banks, like the European Central Bank, are structured this way. Further reading .
Which approach in comparative politics emphasizes large-N statistical analysis to identify patterns across many cases?
Ethnography
Qualitative comparative analysis
Quantitative methods
Case study method
Quantitative methods use statistical techniques and large datasets (large N) to test hypotheses across many cases. This approach seeks generalizable findings and often employs regression analysis. It contrasts with in-depth qualitative work. Details at .
Which concept describes states forming alliances to prevent a rising power from becoming too dominant?
Appeasement
Collective security
Bandwagoning
Balance of power
Balance of power theory holds that states will ally to counter a potential hegemon, maintaining stability by preventing any one actor from dominating. It is a central concept in realist international relations. Examples include NATO countering Soviet influence. Read more .
What key distinction does new institutionalism make compared to old institutionalism?
Focus on formal and informal rules shaping behavior rather than only formal structures
Emphasis on electoral processes over bureaucracies
Prioritizing cultural factors over organizational ones
Rejection of historical context in analysis
New institutionalism studies not only formal government structures but also informal norms, rules, and practices that influence political behavior. It emerged as a critique of the earlier focus solely on institutional forms. This approach links institutions to outcomes by examining incentives and constraints. More at .
In Habermas's theory, what is the 'public sphere'?
A state-controlled media environment
The executive branch's policy-making forums
An economic marketplace for goods
A discursive space where individuals debate public matters free from state and market influences
Habermas's public sphere is an open arena where citizens engage in rational-critical debate about public issues independent of governmental or corporate control. It underpins democratic legitimacy and collective will formation. Decline of this sphere signals democratic erosion. See .
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Governance Frameworks -

    Grasp key concepts of political theory and institutional design commonly featured in questions for political science.

  2. Analyze Political Ideologies -

    Break down major ideological frameworks to see how they influence policy and inform political science questions.

  3. Evaluate Government Roles -

    Assess the functions of legislative, executive, and judicial branches as examined in political science exams and quizzes.

  4. Apply Critical Reasoning -

    Employ logical reasoning to respond effectively to challenging political science test questions and real”world scenarios.

  5. Interpret Political Scenarios -

    Use data and case studies to predict outcomes and answer questions on political science.

  6. Identify Knowledge Gaps -

    Pinpoint your strengths and areas for improvement to guide further study and preparation for the political science exam.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Separation of Powers -

    The principle outlined by Montesquieu divides government authority into legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny and ensure checks and balances (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). Mnemonic: "LEJ" stands for Lawmakers, Executives, Judiciaries to recall each branch's role.

  2. Electoral Systems: FPTP vs PR -

    First-Past-The-Post awards seats to the highest vote-getter in each district, while Proportional Representation uses the formula seats_i = (votes_i / total votes) × total seats to allocate seats (Cambridge University Press). The D'Hondt method is a common PR divisor system - remember "Every Vote Matters" to distinguish PR's inclusivity.

  3. Major Political Ideologies -

    Liberalism emphasizes individual rights, Conservatism values tradition and social order, and Socialism prioritizes collective welfare and wealth redistribution (Oxford Political Theory Journal). Mnemonic: "LCS" ("Let's Craft Society") helps you recall the spectrum from individual to collective focus.

  4. Game Theory in Politics -

    The Prisoner's Dilemma models strategic interaction with payoffs (3,3 for mutual cooperation vs 1,5 for unilateral defection) and highlights the Nash equilibrium where no player can gain by changing strategy unilaterally (University of Chicago Public Policy). Sketching a 2×2 payoff matrix solidifies these concepts for political science exams.

  5. Lasswell's 5W Model of Policy Analysis -

    Harold Lasswell's framework asks Who, Says What, In Which Channel, To Whom, and With What Effect to dissect public policy processes (Journal of Policy Analysis). Use the "5Ws" mnemonic to ensure comprehensive coverage of policy communication and outcomes.

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