Political Systems # MCQs Practice set

Q.1 Which of the following best describes a federal political system?

Power is centralized in one authority
Power is shared between central and regional governments
Only local governments hold authority
There is no formal government structure
Explanation - In a federal system, sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central authority and regional entities (e.g., USA, India).
Correct answer is: Power is shared between central and regional governments

Q.2 Which political system is based on the principle of rule by the people?

Democracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Dictatorship
Explanation - Democracy emphasizes popular sovereignty, where citizens participate directly or through elected representatives.
Correct answer is: Democracy

Q.3 In a parliamentary system, who is typically the head of government?

President
Prime Minister
Monarch
Governor
Explanation - In a parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of government, elected by the legislature.
Correct answer is: Prime Minister

Q.4 Which political system allows a single leader to have absolute control?

Federalism
Dictatorship
Confederation
Parliamentary system
Explanation - A dictatorship is a form of government where power is concentrated in one leader with little accountability.
Correct answer is: Dictatorship

Q.5 Which of the following is an example of a theocracy?

Iran
France
Japan
Brazil
Explanation - Iran’s political system blends republican institutions with religious authority, making it a theocracy.
Correct answer is: Iran

Q.6 Which type of monarchy gives full powers to the monarch?

Constitutional monarchy
Absolute monarchy
Elective monarchy
Parliamentary monarchy
Explanation - In an absolute monarchy, the monarch holds unrestricted power, unlike constitutional monarchies with limitations.
Correct answer is: Absolute monarchy

Q.7 Which system of government is characterized by states retaining sovereignty but cooperating on certain issues?

Confederation
Federation
Parliamentary system
Dictatorship
Explanation - In a confederation, power rests primarily with the member states, with weak central authority.
Correct answer is: Confederation

Q.8 Which political system combines features of socialism and capitalism?

Mixed economy
Communism
Theocracy
Dictatorship
Explanation - A mixed economy blends free market capitalism with government intervention to ensure social welfare.
Correct answer is: Mixed economy

Q.9 Which system has both a president and a prime minister sharing executive powers?

Parliamentary
Presidential
Semi-presidential
Confederal
Explanation - In a semi-presidential system (e.g., France), power is divided between a president and a prime minister.
Correct answer is: Semi-presidential

Q.10 Which political system is based on classless, stateless society envisioned by Marx?

Capitalism
Communism
Liberal democracy
Federalism
Explanation - Communism seeks to abolish private ownership and establish a classless society based on common ownership.
Correct answer is: Communism

Q.11 In a presidential system, the president is both head of state and __________?

Head of religion
Head of legislature
Head of government
Head of judiciary
Explanation - In presidential systems like the USA, the president serves as both head of state and head of government.
Correct answer is: Head of government

Q.12 Which system relies on direct citizen participation in decision-making?

Direct democracy
Representative democracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Explanation - Direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on policies rather than electing representatives.
Correct answer is: Direct democracy

Q.13 Which country is an example of a constitutional monarchy?

Saudi Arabia
United Kingdom
North Korea
Cuba
Explanation - The UK has a constitutional monarchy where the monarch’s powers are largely ceremonial.
Correct answer is: United Kingdom

Q.14 What system of government existed in ancient Sparta?

Democracy
Oligarchy
Absolute monarchy
Confederation
Explanation - Sparta was ruled by a small group of elites, fitting the definition of oligarchy.
Correct answer is: Oligarchy

Q.15 Which political system allows multiple parties to compete for power?

One-party system
Multi-party system
Monarchy
Theocracy
Explanation - In a multi-party system, multiple political parties contest elections, ensuring competition and choice.
Correct answer is: Multi-party system

Q.16 Which system is characterized by the separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches?

Presidential system
Dictatorship
Monarchy
Confederation
Explanation - The presidential system emphasizes separation of powers to prevent concentration of authority.
Correct answer is: Presidential system

Q.17 Which political system restricts political opposition and controls society through ideology?

Totalitarianism
Democracy
Federalism
Constitutional monarchy
Explanation - Totalitarian regimes control political, social, and economic aspects of life, often through ideology.
Correct answer is: Totalitarianism

Q.18 Which political system is characterized by hereditary rule?

Democracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Republic
Explanation - In monarchies, leadership is passed down through family lineage.
Correct answer is: Monarchy

Q.19 Which system of government existed in the Soviet Union?

Communism
Capitalism
Feudalism
Absolute monarchy
Explanation - The Soviet Union followed a communist system with centralized planning and one-party rule.
Correct answer is: Communism

Q.20 What is the primary feature of a unitary political system?

Decentralized power
Strong local autonomy
Centralized authority
Shared sovereignty
Explanation - In a unitary system, the central government holds supreme authority with limited regional autonomy.
Correct answer is: Centralized authority

Q.21 Which political system was promoted by Benito Mussolini in Italy?

Democracy
Communism
Fascism
Socialism
Explanation - Mussolini established a fascist system emphasizing nationalism, authoritarianism, and control.
Correct answer is: Fascism

Q.22 Which of the following is NOT a feature of authoritarian systems?

Censorship
Free elections
Limited freedoms
Centralized power
Explanation - Authoritarian governments restrict political participation and freedoms, unlike democracies with free elections.
Correct answer is: Free elections

Q.23 What type of political system existed in medieval Europe under feudalism?

Unitary monarchy
Decentralized lords with vassals
Republic
Confederation
Explanation - Feudalism distributed power among nobles and vassals, lacking strong central authority.
Correct answer is: Decentralized lords with vassals

Q.24 Which system ensures checks and balances through judicial review?

Federalism
Parliamentary
Presidential
Totalitarian
Explanation - Presidential systems like the USA rely on judicial review to check executive and legislative powers.
Correct answer is: Presidential

Q.25 Which political system prioritizes equality and state ownership of resources?

Capitalism
Socialism
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Explanation - Socialism emphasizes collective ownership and distribution of resources to reduce inequality.
Correct answer is: Socialism