Civics Polity

Political Systems and Government

1,786 Questions

Political systems and government frameworks determine how power is distributed and exercised within a society. This topic covers concepts like democracies, republics, meritocracies, and the separation of powers. It is a vital part of the polity syllabus for various competitive examinations.

Types of governmentSeparation of powersPolitical legitimacyDelegation of authorityDecision making structures

Political Systems and Government Questions

Multiple choice

How did the Zhou dynasty govern?

  1. Secularised bureaucracy, no Mandate of Heaven

  2. Strong central state ruled by emperor

  3. City-state style inspired by Mesopotamia and Southeast Asia

  4. Early feudalism with powerful regional authorities
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Zhou dynasty established a decentralized system often described as feudalism, where the king granted land to relatives and nobles in exchange for loyalty and military support.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not true to the Dual Monarchy?

  1. Austria and Hungary had a single monarch.

  2. Ethnic minorities experienced reduced repression.

  3. Austria and Hungary had independent bicameral legislatures.

  4. Austria and Hungary had a common army and foreign policy.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Dual Monarchy (Austria-Hungary) actually intensified the repression of ethnic minorities, as the system gave dominance to the German-speaking Austrians and the Magyars while excluding other groups like Slavs.

Multiple choice

What type of government does Sri Lanka have?

  1. Absolute Monarchy

  2. Kakistocracy

  3. Totalitarian

  4. Presidential-Parliamentary
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Sri Lanka is a democratic republic with a semi-presidential system, often described as presidential-parliamentary, where both the president and parliament hold significant power.

Multiple choice

Which of the following term means that Head of the State is elected amongst the people ?

  1. Socialsit

  2. Monarch

  3. Democratic

  4. Republic
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A republic is a form of government where the head of state is elected by the people rather than inheriting the position through monarchy. 'Democratic' is an adjective describing systems, not a noun. 'Socialist' refers to economic organization. A 'Monarch' inherits power, not elected.

Multiple choice

What is Imperialism?

  1. Imperialism is a political system

  2. Imperialism is a multi tasking system

  3. Imperialism is a traditional system

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Imperialism is a policy or ideology of extending a nation's rule over foreign nations, often by military force or by gaining political and economic control.

Multiple choice

What is a city-state?

  1. pyramid-shaped temples

  2. Where Mrs. Lenz was born - waaay back then!

  3. a city ruling the countryside around it

  4. land w/ diff. territories & peoples under a single rule
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A city-state is an independent city that exercises political and economic control over the surrounding rural territory. This was the primary political unit in ancient Sumer.

Multiple choice

How do you define an Empire?

  1. people who perform religious ceremonies

  2. a city ruling the countryside around it

  3. What Mr. A controls in his spare time...

  4. land w/ diff. territories & peoples under a single rule
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

An empire is a large political unit or state that brings together several different territories and peoples under the control of a single ruler or government.

Multiple choice

What does enlightened despotism mean?

  1. Monarchical rule under enlightenment ideology

  2. Monarchical rule ignoring enlightened ideology

  3. Rule of enlightened scholars

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Enlightened despotism refers to absolute monarchs who used their power to implement reforms inspired by Enlightenment ideals.

Multiple choice

Political party that runs the government is

  1. Ruling party

  2. Interest group

  3. Opposition party

  4. Factional group
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The party that wins the election and forms the government is known as the ruling party.

Multiple choice

In China, the belief in the Mandate of Heaven included the idea that

  1. actions during life, the kings, will be judged before entering heaven.

  2. king must consult with a divinely appointed council before taking action

  3. king must rule wisely or be overthrown

  4. Zhou dynasty, kings were the descendants of the gods
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Mandate of Heaven was a political and religious doctrine used to justify the rule of the King. It held that the ruler had divine approval as long as they ruled justly, but could be overthrown if they became corrupt.