studying comparative

READ the verbs; DO what they ask

2011-05-09T05:50:00.000-05:00

I said it before and I'll say it again. The best hint I can offer for the Free Response Questions on the AP exam is to

read the verbs and then do what they ask you to do.

If you're asked to explain, explain; if you're asked to describe, describe. Don't describe when you're asked to explain. If you're asked to compare, compare. Don't simply describe one of the things you're asked to compare.

Do what you're asked to do.

Do it as well as you can.

Good luck.

Tips for FRQs

2011-05-06T09:46:00.000-05:00

Last year, Mr. Frank Franz, who teaches in Virginia offered a list of great suggestions that will help you write better responses to FRQs.

I posted them last year, and here's a link to them again.

Tips for FRQs

Here's the strategy I place on every FRQ I give my students. I believe it helps them focus on the questions and will help them earn as high of a score as possible...

Question No. 24

2011-05-05T05:53:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 24 (It's a Country Context question.):

•Identify a democratic facet of the Iranian regime.
•Explain how it is limited by a non-democratic feature of the regime.
•Identify an undemocratic facet of the Iranian regime.
•Explain how it is limited by a democratic facet of the regime.

(See pp. 142 - 148 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 23

2011-05-04T06:21:00.002-05:00

Here's Question No. 23 (It's a Country Context question.):

•Describe a difference between the electoral systems for legislators in Mexico and Iran.
•Explain why one is more likely than the other to be representative of the population.

(See pp. 131 - 132, 134 - 135, and 147 - 150 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 22

2011-05-02T21:58:00.000-05:00

For Tuesday, 3 May

Here's Question No. 22 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

•Identify two major politically-relevant cleavages in Nigeria.
•Explain how one feature of the regime in Nigeria is designed to minimize the political effects of those cleavages.
•Explain how one feature of political participation magnifies the political effects of those cleavages.

(See pp. 109 - 120 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 21

2011-05-02T06:07:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed.

Here's Question No. 21 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

•Identify the primary law-making part of the Iranian regime.
•Explain two limitations on the power of that part of the Iranian regime.

(See pp. 142 - 146 and 148, in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 20

2011-04-28T22:46:00.000-05:00

A question for Friday, 28 April:

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

Here's Question No. 20 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

•Identify an historical factor that influences politics in the United Kingdom.
•Explain how that factor influences politics in the United Kingdom.

(See pp. 55 - 59 and 63 - 65 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 19

2011-04-28T06:38:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 19 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Explain two ways that the principle of non-reelection affects political behavior in Mexico.

(See pp. 130 - 132 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 18

2011-04-27T06:15:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 18 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Explain why the Peoples Republic of China has parallel bureaucracies in the Communist Party and the government.

(See pp. 88 - 90 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 17

2011-04-26T06:11:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed, and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 17 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Describe two choices a politically ambitious young person in Mexico should make to improve her or his chances of gaining a political leadership position.

(See pp. 133 - 137 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 16

2011-04-24T20:39:00.000-05:00

This is the question for Monday, 25 April:

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed, and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 16 (It's a Country Context question.):

•Explain one way in which the "wars" between drug cartels in Mexico threatens the national government.
•Explain why the use of the army for law enforcement purposes (against the drug cartels) is politically controversial.

(See p. 130 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 15

2011-04-22T05:43:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 15 (It's a Country Context question.):

•Describe an example of how global interdependence affects (or affected) policy choices available to the Nigerian government.
•Describe an example of how global interdependence affects (or affected) policy choices available to the British government
OR
explain why global interdependence doesn't affect policy choices available to the British government.

(See pp. 122 - 123 and 66-67 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 14

2011-04-21T06:03:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 14 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

The heads of government in Russia and the United Kingdom are not directly elected by voters.
•Explain how each is chosen.
•Describe a significant similarity in their roles as heads of government.
•Identify and describe one major difference between the sources of authority for these two executives.

(See pp. 57 - 62 and 74-78 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 13

2011-04-20T05:42:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 13 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

The governments of Iran and China have gone to great lengths to restrict the flow of information about political events beyond their borders.

•Describe a similarity in the political cultures of Iran and China.
•Explain how that similarity helps account for the countries' unwillingness to allow the free flow of international information.

(See pp. 85, 95 - 98 141 - 142, and 148 - 151 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 12

2011-04-19T05:41:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 12 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Explain two reasons the electoral system in Iran discourages the operation of permanent or long-term political parties.

(See pp. 148 - 151 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 11

2011-04-18T05:44:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 11 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

•What is meant by "democratic centralism" in the Peoples Republic of China?
•Explain two methods used by the Communist Party of China to practice democratic centralism.

(See pp. 89 - 92 in What You Need to Know.)

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A sample response

2011-04-17T14:00:00.000-05:00

An anonymous response to Question No. 1 has been submitted. You can see it in the Comments section for Question No. 1

Question No. 10

2011-04-15T05:50:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 10 (It's a Short Answer - Concept Question question.):

•Identify a primary source of legitimacy for the political system in
The Peoples Republic of China
The Islamic Republic of Iran
•Explain why each source you identified is vulnerable to change

(See pp. 86 - 88, 95 - 98, and 142 -146 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 9

2011-04-14T05:34:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 9 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Explain two reasons that the president in the Nigerian regime is dominant over the national legislature and the state governments.

(See pp. 109 - 112 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 8

2011-04-13T06:18:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 8 (It's a Country Context question.):

Since 1980, major political changes have been proposed in the UK and in China.
•Identify and explain one reason for the relative effectiveness of implementing change in China.
•Identify and explain one reason for the relative ineffectiveness of implementing change in the UK.

(See pp. 63-67 and 96-100 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 7

2011-04-12T06:30:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 7 (It's a Country Context question.):

•Identify where in each political system, nation-wide interest groups would most likely try to influence policy making in the United Kingdom AND Russia.
•Explain one factor in each country that prevents these efforts from being transparent.

(See pp. 63-67 and 79-82 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 6

2011-04-11T05:57:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 6. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

I will post 3 sets of FRQs like the ones you'll see on the AP Exam. Each set will consist of 5 "short answer concept" questions, 1 "conceptual analysis" question, and 2 "country context" questions.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 6 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

•Describe, in general, the role of an ideology in supporting the legitimacy of a political system
•Explain how a religious belief system can be more powerful than a political philosophy in supporting the legitimacy of a political system
•Explain how an ideology can support legitimacy of a political system when it accepts dissent from the ideology

(See pp. 41, 55-57, 69-73, 86-88, 96-98, 104-109, 127-130, and 142-146 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 5

2011-04-08T05:51:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 6. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

I will post 3 sets of FRQs like the ones you'll see on the AP Exam. Each set will consist of 5 "short answer concept" questions, 1 "conceptual analysis" question, and 2 "country context" questions.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 5 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Identify and explain two reasons why the Mexican legislature is not as powerful as the executive in the Mexican political system.

(See pp. 131-132 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 4

2011-04-07T05:58:00.000-05:00

•Identify and explain a major obstacle to political success for parties in Russia challenging United Russia.

•Identify and explain a major obstacle to political success for parties in Nigeria challenging the Peoples Democratic Party.

(See pp. 77-80 and 111-114 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 3

2011-04-06T05:55:00.000-05:00

Explain one reason comparative theory suggests that a federal system of government is appropriate for Nigeria.

Explain one reason comparative theory suggests that a unitary system of government is appropriate for the Peoples Republic of China.

(See pp.40, 45, 49, 89-90, 95-96, and 109-110 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 2

2011-04-05T05:57:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 6. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

I will post 3 sets of FRQs like the ones you'll see on the AP Exam. Each set will consist of 5 "short answer - concept" questions, 1 "conceptual analysis" question, and 2 "country context" questions.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 2 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Describe two major ways that policy making about social welfare issues in a neo-liberal government differs from policy making making about social welfare issues in a social democratic government.

(See pp.39, 42, 44, and 45 in What You Need to Know.)

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Question No. 1

2011-04-04T05:52:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 6. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

I will post 3 sets of FRQs like the ones you'll see on the AP Exam. Each set will consist of 5 "short answer concept" questions, 1 "conceptual analysis" question, and 2 "country context" questions.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 1 (It's a Short Answer - Concept question.):

Explain why political scientists distinguish between regimes and governments.

(See pp. 32, 37, 40, and 43 in What You Need to Know.)

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A new practice season

2011-03-26T13:16:00.000-05:00

COMING APRIL 4

A new practice season of FRQs for Comparative Government and Politics.

Three new sets of 8 questions (like those on THE exam). One a day until May 5.

If you're anxious to begin, you can look at the sample questions from the past three years and see how well you can answer them. (See the blog archive at left.)

If you have questions, please use the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

Successful FRQs

2010-05-02T10:39:00.002-05:00

One more bit of old advice from a 2006 blog entry:

AP Comparative Gov and Politics FRQs

While I'm on the subject of AP exams, let me add one more thing.

The key to "doing what you're asked to do" in the AP FRQs is to pay attention to the verbs. I think it's the natural tendency when we're confronted with exam questions to focus on the nouns, i.e. what the question is about. But doing what you're asked to do with those topics is vital for success...

See the rest of the entry for more advice and encouragement.

And good luck tomorrow afternoon.

Advanced Placement exams

2010-05-01T06:35:00.001-05:00

Here's some of what I wrote for the Teaching Comparative blog back at the end of 2006. It's still good advice.

Since the early '90s, the written part of the AP exam has been called the "Free Response" (or FRQ, for Free Response Questions) section, not the essay section. Nonetheless, many teachers and students have continued to use "essay" when discussing the written half of the exam...

My advice to students in the face of changes remains the same. "Do what you're asked to do in the question." And "Answer the question that's asked."

Former chief reader for AP Government, Dr. Joe Stewart of Clemson University (quoted on p. 23 of my book) and Alberta provincial standardized test assessors both note that students often try to answer questions they expect rather than the questions they confront. That's never a good idea.

Students can do more than they're asked to do -- like write formal essays -- but they will only be graded on the specifics to which they are asked to respond.

Readers (those wonderful people who devote an eight-day week each June to grading the FRQs) are looking for relevant and accurate responses.

Students do not earn points for anything else.

Tips for FRQs

2010-04-30T05:34:00.001-05:00

While you're waiting for exam day to roll around, here are some FRQ writing hints. They come from Mr. Frank Franz, who teaches at Madison HIgh School in Vienna, Virginia. He sent them to the teachers Electronic Discussion Group (EDG) for AP teachers.

I think these ideas are excellent. The only thing I’d add to the list would be to paraphrase the question as an introduction. In the last couple years some rubrics have insisted that responses have introductions that label what is being discussed.

Here's what Mr. Franz wrote,

Here's the strategy I place on every FRQ I give my students. I believe it helps them focus on the questions and will help them earn as high of a score as possible. Some of these ideas are my own and some are from colleagues who have served as readers and table leaders.

Free Response Strategy
Mark-up the question.
Count up how many points you are trying to earn. (Look for number references, count the verbs)
Write as many sentences as there are points.
Write simple, declarative sentences.
Answer the question asked. Nothing else.
Answer every part of the question.
Look for time references, patterns, and passage of time.
Do not argue with the premise of the prompt.
Add an extra response just in case.
Answer the question in the order asked.
Skip a line between parts, but do not label.

(See pp. 15-23 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 24

2010-04-29T05:41:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 24 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

The study of comparative government and politics relies on case studies.

Define case study.

Identify a hypothetical case study that could be used to compare two political systems.

What is a factor that would most likely make it difficult to reach meaningful generalizations from the use of that case study.

Why would that factor create difficulties in making meaningful generalizations? (4 point question)

(See pp. 27-31 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 23

2010-04-28T05:20:00.001-05:00

Here's Question No. 23 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a characteristic of a nation-state in which a regime with separation of powers would be successful?

Why would that characteristic facilitate a regime with separation of powers?

What is a characteristic of a nation-state in which a regime with a fusion of powers would be successful?

Why would that characteristic facilitate a regime with a fusion of powers? (4 point question)

(See pp. 38, 41, 53-58, 70-72, 128-131, and 144-147 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 22

2010-04-27T05:56:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 22 (It's a Country Context question.):

Pragmatism is often used to describe the common approach to politics in the United Kingdom.

What is pragmatism?

Describe one way in which the National Health Service in the UK was a result of pragmatic politics?

Describe one way in which Tony Blair's "Third Way" or "New Labour" was a result of pragmatic politics? (5 point question)

(See pp. 51-53, 57-58, and 60-62 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 21

2010-04-26T05:45:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 21 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Iran, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Peoples Republic of China have all used import substitution to one degree or another.

Using ONE of those four countries as an example
• describe a specific goal the country had for import substitution
• evaluate the success that country had in reaching that goal
and
• describe a factor that is discouraging the use of import substitution now.

(See pp. 38, 97-98, 111, 121-123, 127-128, 136-137, 142, and 149-151 in What You Need to Know. This is a 4-point question)

Question No. 20

2010-04-23T06:13:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 20 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

What are two forces impinging on the sovereignty of nation-states in the 21st century?

Briefly describe how each of those forces limits nation-states' sovereignty?

What is one way in Russia has resisted a force limiting its exercise of sovereign power?

What is one way in Iran has resisted a force limiting its exercise of sovereign power? (6 point question)

(See pp. 42, 65-69, 78-79, 14-=144, 149-151, and 154 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 19

2010-04-22T05:19:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 19 (It's a Country Context question.):

What is an example of transparent public policy-making in the Iranian regime?

What is an example of public policy-making in Iran that is done outside of public purview?

Describe two pieces of evidence or lines of reasoning that support the idea that most policy-making in Iran is NOT done in transparent ways. (4 point question)

(See parts 3 and 6 of chapter 11 on Iran in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 18

2010-04-21T06:09:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique. It will be in the "Comments" section for the question.

Here's Question No. 18 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a primary vehicle for political recruitment in the Peoples Republic of China?

What is a primary vehicle for political recruitment in Nigeria?

What is a reason that the method for recruiting political leadership in one of these countries is more democratic than the method you identified in the other country? (4 point question)

(See pp. 41, 92-96, and 113-119 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 17

2010-04-20T06:04:00.001-05:00

You can submit a response using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for this question.

Here's Question No. 17 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What are two primary distinctions between a federal state and a unitary state?

What is the primary difference between federalism and devolution in a unitary state? (3 point question)

(See pp. 37, 45, 62, 107-110, and 121 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 16

2010-04-19T05:53:00.004-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 16 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Political scientists endeavor to maintain an empirical point of view when comparing political systems.

What are two reasons that is an important endeavor for political scientists?

If political scientists used normative analyses when comparing political systems, what is one way you would expect the results of their comparisons to be different from when they used empirical analyses? (4 point question)

(See pp. 25-27, 37, and 39 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 15

2010-04-16T06:09:00.004-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 15 (It's a Country Concept question.):

In Iran, velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) was intended to keep religious leaders in charge while representing the will of the people.

Identify two ways that the revolutionary regime created under velayat-e faqih was intended to represent the will of the people.

Explain one way in which that regime was designed to prevent populism from overwhelming the "guardianship" of the religious leader. (4 point question)

(See pp. 140-147 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 14

2010-04-15T05:36:00.001-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 14 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is a material manifestation of political culture in the UK?

What effect does it have on the political culture?

What is an immaterial manifestation of political culture in the UK?

What effect does it have on the political culture? (4 point question)

(See pp. 51-58 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 13

2010-04-14T05:41:00.001-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 13 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

Urbanization can be a powerful political force. It's a notable process in Mexico, China, and Nigeria.

What are two political changes related to urbanization in one of those countries?

How is urbanization related to those changes in that country?

What is one action government in that country has taken to encourage or discourage urbanization?

How is that action intended to promote or inhibit urbanization? (6 point question)

(See pp. 126-127, 131-132, and 135-137 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 12

2010-04-13T05:09:00.002-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 12 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Would you expect to find more catch-all parties or more ideological parties in a regime that had an electoral system in which pluralities were all that was necessary for victory?

What about a plurality system would encourage the kind of party you expect to find?

What is a real-world example of a party of the type you'd expect to find? Does the regime in that country have a plurality electoral system? (4 point question)

(See pp. 40 and 47-48 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 11 (for Monday 12 April)

2010-04-11T21:38:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 11 (It's a Country Context question.):

When cleavages coincide with one another, theory asserts, they reinforce one another.

Identify two coinciding demographic cleavages in Nigeria.

Do those cleavages reinforce one another? Why or why not? (4 point question)

(See pp. 115-119 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 10

2010-04-09T05:10:00.001-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 10 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Political legitimacy is of great benefit to regimes and governments.

What is political legitimacy?

What is an economic policy of most Mexian governments that promotes political legitimacy? Why does that policy promote political legitimacy? (3 point question)

(See pp. 39 and 136-137 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 9

2010-04-08T05:18:00.001-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 9 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

A bureaucracy is necessary in any regime to implement policy, but bureaucrats are not expected to make policy. Why are they not expected to make policy?

What is a primary way the regime in the Peoples Republic of China separates implementing policy from making policy?

What is a primary way the regime in Iran separates implementing policy from making policy? (4 point question)

(See part 3 in chapters 8 and 11 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 8 (for Wednesday, 7 April)

2010-04-06T21:14:00.001-05:00

Here's Question No. 8 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Which of the six countries you studied in this course has a regime that most closely matches the model of a parliamentary system? Why?

Which of the six countries' regime is most unlike the model of a parliamentary system? Why? (4 point question)

(See pp. 36, 39, 53-58, and part 3 of chapters 7 - 11 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 7

2010-04-06T06:40:00.002-05:00

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here in the "Comments" section for the question.

Here's Question No. 7 (It's a Short-Answer Concept question.):

Define "patron-client relationship" in a political context.

Explain how an effective patron-client network can promote stability in a political system. (3 point question)

(See pp. 33, 39, 126-134, 111-117, and 85-93 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 6

2010-04-05T05:45:00.002-05:00

Here's Question No. 6 (It's a Country Concept question.):

The Prime Minister in the UK and the Premier in the Peoples Republic of China are heads of governments in their respective countries.

What is the most significant similarity between the roles of the two officials? Why is it the most significant similarity?

What is the most significant difference between the two positions? Why is it the most significant difference? (4-point question)

(See part 3 of chapter 6, pp. 53-58 and part 3 of chapter 7, pp. 69-75 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 5

2010-04-02T05:26:00.002-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 5 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

Until the recent economic recession, global forces have pressured countries to carry out programs of structural adjustment.

What is structural adjustment? What are two pressures accompanying the recession that have encouraged governments to make policy decisions that would be antithetical to structural adjustment? (3 point question)

(See pp. 33-34, 42, 117, and 159-161 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 4

2010-04-01T06:02:00.002-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 4 (It's a Country Context question.):

The most recent meeting of the Peoples National Congress in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) focused on economic policies.

Describe how much power the NPC has to make and implement economic policy in the PRC. Identify two pieces of evidence that support your answer and explain how that evidence supports your answer. (5 point question)

(See parts 3 and 6 of chapter 8 "The Peoples Republic of China" in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 3

2010-03-31T05:09:00.003-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 3 (It's a Short-Answer Concepts question.):

What is the distinction between power and authority?
What is one reason you know that the Iranian president has more power than the Iranian Supreme Leader or that the Supreme Leader has more power than the president?
What is an illustration of the difference between the authority each of them has? (3 points)

(See pp. 35, 40 and 144-147 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 2

2010-03-30T05:20:00.001-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 2 (It's a Conceptual Analysis question.):

a. Define state capacity.
b. Compare the limitations on the state capacity of Russia with the limitations of the state capacity of Nigeria. Which state has more capacity?
c. Describe two of the primary reasons why the state you identified with greater capacity has greater capacity. (5 point question)

(See pp. 36, 65-68, and 104-109 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 1

2010-03-29T05:21:00.002-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until April 30. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little broadcast icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 1 (It's a Short Answer Concept question):

Define political accountability. Describe a primary way the regime in the UK ensures accountability. Describe a primary way the regime in Mexico ensures accountability. (3 points)

(See pp. 35 and 54-58 in What You Need to Know.)

Coming Attractions 2010

2010-03-03T11:15:00.000-06:00

Beginning March 29, I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics each weekday until May 1.

Realistically responding to examples is one of the best ways to prepare for the FRQs on the exam.

There are three kinds of FRQs on the AP exam:

Short Answer Concept questions (#1-5)
Concept Analysis questions (#6)
Country Concept questions (#7-8)

In the five weeks before the exam, I'll offer 15 Short Answer Concept questions, five Concept Analysis questions, and 10 Country Concept questions for practice.

When you look at the blog archive, you'll find 45 FRQs from 2008 and 27 from 2009 that you can also use for practice. Some of them are out of date, but you should recognize that and avoid them or update them so they are appropriate for 2010. You can also find FRQs from past AP exams at the College Board site (see "Worthwhile Links" at left)

You can submit an answer for any of the FRQs using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) here a week after the question was posted.

No prizes, but, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Test taking advice

2009-05-01T06:38:00.001-05:00

Back in December 2006 I offered this observation,

"The key to 'doing what you're asked to do' in the AP FRQs is to pay attention to the verbs. I think it's the natural tendency when we're confronted with exam questions to focus on the nouns, i.e. what the question is about. But doing what you're asked to do with those topics is vital for success."

I guess I've offered that advice again.

Good luck on Monday. Relax and sleep well this weekend.

Question No. 27 (30 April 2009)

2009-04-30T05:41:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 27:

a. What are two widely-held political values in the United Kingdom? (2 points)

b. How do those values contribute to the stability of a regime without a constitution? (2 points)

(See pp. 60-61 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 26 (29 April 2009)

2009-04-29T05:43:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 26:

In Russia, voter turnout has declined with each successive presidential election.

a. What are two reasons for the decline in the percentage of citizens voting in the last two presidential elections? (2 points)

b. Explain why falling oil prices would encourage or discourage voting in the next presidential election. (2 points)

(See pp. 75-78 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 25 (28 April 2009)

2009-04-28T05:33:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 25:

“Establish a peaceful Tianjin, construct a harmonious society.”
创建平安天津，构建和谐社会

In imperial China, collective responsibility was a major political value.
a. What is one way the government or politics of the PRC reinforced that value? (1 point)
b. What is one way the government or politics of the PRC contradicted that value? (1 point)
c. Explain how the current mass line of "creating a harmonious society" reinforces or contradicts collective responsibility. (2 points)

(See pp. 95-97 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 24 (27 April 2009)

2009-04-27T06:05:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 24:

a. What is an example of how identity politics are reflected in the government or politics of Nigeria? (1 point)
b. What is a factor in Nigerian government or politics that counteracts identity politics? (1 point)
c. Explain why the factor you identified above (in part b), has not overcome the power of identity politics? (2 points)

(See pp. 115-120 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 23 (22 April 2009)

2009-04-22T06:06:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 23:

a. What are two symbols of Mexican nationalism or national pride? (2 points)
b. Explain why, in 21st century Mexico, the symbolism you identified above is less powerful than it once was. (2 points)

(See pp. 131-133 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 22 (20 April 2009)

2009-04-20T05:50:00.000-05:00

(Two weeks until the exam)

Here's Question No. 22:

a. What are two reasons the educated middle class of Iran has so little political power? (2 points)

b. What is an often-cited reason for the decline of political activity among the educated middle class in 2005? (1 point)

c. What is one factor that could offer greater political influence to the middle class in 2009 than they had in 2005 and why would that be so? (2 points)

(See pp. 147-149 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 21 (16 April 2009)

2009-04-16T10:16:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 21:

a. What is a reason the Iranian Majlis is a representative body? (1 point)

b. What is a reason the Iranian Majlis is not representative? (1 point)

c. What is a major difference between statute law passed by the Majlis and Islamic sharia? (1 point)

(See pp. 139, 143, and 145 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 20 (15 April 2009)

2009-04-15T07:26:00.000-05:00

You can submit an answer to this practice question using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 20:

The judicial system in Mexico is slowly undergoing a radical change.

a. What are two characteristics of the traditional inquisitorial legal system? (2 points)

b. What are two advantages often cited for the adversarial system to which Mexico is changing? (2 points)

(See p. 130 in What You Need to Know and Mexico adopts U.S.-style trials in the update section of the book's web site.)

Question No. 19 (13 April 2009)

2009-04-13T05:39:00.000-05:00

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

Here's Question No. 19:

a. What are two major explanations for the fact that half of the non-agricultural jobs in Nigeria are government jobs? (2 points)

b. Explain one reason why that situation is detrimental to representative democracy in Nigeria? (2 points)

c. Explain one reason why that situation is supportive of representative democracy in Nigeria? (2 points)

(See pp. 109-111 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 18 (10 April 2009)

2009-04-10T21:28:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 18:

a. What are two examples of the parallel structure of government and politics in Chinese government and politics? (2 points)

b. How do the examples you cited help explain the authoritarian dominance of the Communist Party in China? (2 points)

(See pp. 84-86 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 17 (8 April 2009)

2009-04-08T06:31:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 17:

When Putin's presidential terms were over and he became prime minister, he was in a less powerful position than he had been in.

a. What are two formal authorities the president of Russia has that enhance the power of that office? (2 points)

b. What is an informal aspect of Russian politics that enhances the authority Prime Minister Putin has in practice and how does that aspect enlarge the power of Putin? (2 points)

(See p. 70 in What You Need to Know and Russian Election in the Updates section of the book's web site.)

Question No. 16 (7 April 2009)

2009-04-07T07:33:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 16:

The bureaucracies headquartered along Whitehall Street in London are distinguished by the civil servants who work in them.

a. What is one characteristic of those civil servants that distinguishes them from the politicians in nearby Westminster, the meeting place of the House of Commons? (1 point)

b. Why is that characteristic so desirable of civil servants in a representative democracy? (2 points)

(See pp. 10, 35, and 54 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 15 (6 April 2009)

2009-04-06T05:41:00.000-05:00

I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics almost every week day until May 1. They're for practice, since that one of the best ways of preparing for the exam.

You can subscribe to these questions using the RSS feed (the little orange icon in the address bar), and you'll see them in your news reader when I post them.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) and a critique here a week after the question was posted. It will be in the "Comments" section for that question.

No prizes this year. But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Here's Question No. 15:

A. Describe the logical fallacy discussed in the first (left hand) frame of the cartoon above. (1 point)
B. What is the independent variable mentioned in the third (right hand) frame of the cartoon? (1 point)
C. What is the dependent variable mentioned in the third (right hand) frame of the cartoon? (1 point)
D. What kind of variable would cause the character on the right in the third frame to doubt the efficacy of the statistics class in changing his or her idea expressed in the first frame? (1 point)

(See pages 29-30 and 37-39 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 14 (3 April 2009)

2009-04-03T14:50:00.001-05:00

Here's Question No. 14:

In the West European tradition, John Locke argued that government should be divided into legislative, executive, and judicial "branches." The Iranian constitution creates some institutions that don't neatly fit into Locke's three branches.

A. Identify two (2) institutions of national government that do NOT clearly belong in a legislative, executive, or judicial branch of Iranian government. (2 points)
B. Explain why each of those institutions do not coincide with Locke's categories. (4 points)

(See pages 144-146 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 13 (2 April 2009)

2009-04-02T13:47:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No.: 13

In 2005, constitutional changes in Russia eliminated single-member districts in elections for the State Duma.
A. What was one of Putin's arguments that this change would strengthen political parties in Russia? (1 point)
B. What was an argument put forward by Putin's critics and opponents that a proportionally-elected legislature would only solidify Putin's hold on political power? (1 point)
C. What was another constitutional change in 2005 that supported Putin's state goal of strengthening parties? (1 point)
D. What was a constitutional change in 2005 that supported the arguments of Putin's opponents about solidifying Putin's power? (1 point)

(See pages 69-70 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 12 (1 April 2009)

2009-04-01T15:12:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 12:

What is one (1) way in which the Basij in Iran are similar to Nashi in Russia? (1 point)

What is one (1) way in which the Basij are different from Nashi? (1 point)

What are two reasons political movements find such quasi-official organizations as the Basij and Nashi politically useful? (2 points)

(See pages 73-74 and 145 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 11 (31 March 2009)

2009-03-31T12:29:00.001-05:00

Here's Question No. 11:

What is a major reason the legislature in the Mexican regime holds little political power? (1 point)

What is a major reason the legislature in the Chinese regime holds little political power? (1 point)

In which regime are the limitations on legislative power more effective? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 87 and 129 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 10 (30 March 2009)

2009-03-30T05:56:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 10:

What position does the head of government hold in the United Kingdom? (1 point)

What position does the head of government hold in Nigeria? (1 point)

Describe one difference and one similarity between the heads of governments' relationship with his respective legislatures? (2 points)

(See pages 54 and 110-11 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 9 (27 March 2009)

2009-03-27T06:20:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 9:

A. Is the role of ideology more important in the Chinese or Iranian political system? (1 point)
B. What are two reasons for the greater importance of ideology in the country you indicated? (2 points)

This question is not asking for illustrations of the power of ideology. It is asking why ideology is more powerful in one of the political systems.

(See pages 93-97 and 143-145 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 8 (26 March 2009)

2009-03-26T06:26:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 8:

A. What is an advantage the long history of the British regime gives to elected leaders in the government of the UK? (1 point)
B. What is an advantage the short history of the Nigerian regime gives to the elected leaders in the government of Nigeria? (1 point)
C. Which of the advantages you identified offers more political power to the elected leaders? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 51-53 and 107-109 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 7 (26 March 2009)

2009-03-26T06:23:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 7:

Revolutions are important in the Mexican and Iranian political cultures.
A. What is a similarity in how the idea of revolution is important in Mexican and Iranian political cultures? (2 points)
B. What is a difference in how the idea of revolution is important in Mexican and Iranian political cultures? (2 points)
C. In which political culture (Mexican or Iranian) is the importance of the idea of revolution most like the importance of the idea in Chinese political culture? Why? (3 points)

(See pages 96-97, 125-127, and 149-150 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 6 (20 March 2009)

2009-03-20T06:40:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 6:

A. What is meant by "soft power?" (2 points)
B. What is an example of the use of soft power by China? (1 point)
C. What is an example of the use of soft power by Russia? (1 point)

(See pages 41-42, 79, and 98-99 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 5 (19 March 2009)

2009-03-19T05:59:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 5:

Political scientists distinguish between power and authority.
A. What is the distinction they make? (2 points)
B. Describe an example of that distinction from the politics or government in the United Kingdom. (2 points)
C. Describe an example of that distinction from the politics or government in Iran. (2 points)

(See pages 35 and 40 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 4 (18 March 2009)

2009-03-18T06:11:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 4:

A. Political scientists want to compare rule of law in Iran with rule of law in China. What are two (2) Iranian political institutions and two (2) Chinese political institutions that would be appropriate for the comparison? (4 points)

B. Why would each of the four institutions you identified be appropriate for such a comparison? (4 points)

(See pages 145-147 and 84-92 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 3 (17 March 2009)

2009-03-17T06:15:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 3:

Russia and Nigeria are major oil producers. What are two (2) reasons the Russian government is more capable than the Nigerian government of expressing its sovereignty through policies and actions based on energy production? (2 points)

Is the Mexican government more like the Russian or Nigerian government in this regard? Why? (2 points)

(See pages 79 and 122-123 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 2 (16 March 2009)

2009-03-16T05:48:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 2:

A. Describe two (2) ways that treaties like the EU agreements or NAFTA affect the capacity of states that sign the treaties. (2 points)

B. How do those effects relate to calls for rejection of the EU's Lisbon Treaty or for revisions to NAFTA? (2 points)

(See pages 46, 136, and 154-156 in What You Need to Know.)

Question No. 1 (13 March 2009)

2009-03-13T07:57:00.000-05:00

Here's Question No. 1:

Is the Chinese state more powerful or weaker than the Nigerian state? Explain two (2) reasons for the differences in power between the two states. (3 points)

(See pages 83-84 and 107-109 in What You Need to Know.)

Coming Attractions 2009

2009-03-11T13:44:00.000-05:00

Beginning March 13, I'll post a sample FRQ here about comparative government and politics each week day until May 1.

You can submit an answer using the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (Look in the lower, right-hand section of that page.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll post your answer (without your name) here a week after the question was posted.

No prizes this year (I gave away so few last year). But, I'll add your school's web address to the list of "Worthwhile Links" on the left side of the blog, IF you send it to me.

Question No. 45 (2 May)

2008-05-02T07:35:00.001-05:00

Here's Question No. 45:
Since Madison, Americans have attributed the preservation of their liberties in large part to the separation of powers in the U.S. regime. What has preserved the liberties of British citizens in a system that lacks separation of powers?

The AP exam for Comparative Government and Politics
Monday afternoon, 5 May 2008

The exam begins with a 45-minute session for reading and answering 55 multiple-choice questions. (Remember, choose the best answer from among the 5 choices offered.)

The second session is 100 minutes long.

During that time, you will write answers to 8 "Free Response Questions"

Five definitions and descriptions in the "Short-Answer Concepts" section
One "Conceptual Analysis" question (which will ask about one of the course's "big ideas")
Two "Country Context" questions, which are most likely to require comparisons

Good luck on Monday afternoon.

Question No. 44 (1 May)

2008-05-01T10:41:00.001-05:00

Here is the next-to-last question for this season.

Here's Question No. 44:
Is the UK a monarchy or a republic? Why?

Question No. 43 (30 April)

2008-04-30T08:51:00.000-05:00

For the next couple days, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics to help you prepare for the AP exam.

Here's Question No. 43:
When discussing the "power ministries" in Russia, what are political scientists referring to?

What are two responsibilities or characteristics that guarantee those ministries political power?

Question No. 42 (29 April)

2008-04-29T08:35:00.001-05:00

For the next few days, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics to help you prepare for the AP exam.

Here's Question No. 42:
What is the purpose of the nomenklatura system in China?

Who maintains the system?

How does this photograph illustrate nomenklatura?

Question No. 41 (28 April)

2008-04-28T08:45:00.000-05:00

Each day through Friday, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

Here's Question No. 41:
What are two political purposes for increasing the number of Nigerian states from 3 (in 1960) to 36 (today)?

Question No. 40 (25 April)

2008-04-25T08:22:00.000-05:00

Monday through Friday next week, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics.

You submit answers to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here before the AP exam.

And you'll win at least two What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

Here's Question No. 40:
What's one political advantage of the large and active news media in Nigeria?

What is one characteristic of the Nigerian news media that limits its influence?

Question No. 39 (24 April)

2008-04-24T08:01:00.001-05:00

For six more weekdays, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics.

You submit answers to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win a couple of What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

Here's Question No. 39:
What is a major reason that President Calderón is considering using the Mexican army to combat the drug trade?

What is a major reason he is reluctant to use the army to combat the drug trade?

Question No. 38 (23 April)

2008-04-23T07:24:00.000-05:00

For the next seven week days, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics.

You submit answers to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win at least two What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Los Rudos Y Los Technicos (photo)

Here's Question No. 38:
Who are the technicós in Mexican politics and government? (Hint: It's not that guy on the right in the photo.)

What kinds of political policies do they generally advocate?

Question No. 37 (22 April)

2008-04-22T07:40:00.000-05:00

For the next 8 weekdays, I'll post questions about comparative government and politics.

You submit answers to the "Questions" e-mail address at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win a pair of What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 37:
What do political scientists mean when they label Iran's economy as "rent seeking?"

What is one major political ramification of a rent seeking economy?

Question No. 36 (21 April)

2008-04-21T08:43:00.000-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the new "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win more than one What You Need to Know number two pencil to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and another will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 36:
What Iranian precedent exists for Khomeini's insistence in velayat-e faqih (Guardianship of the Jurist) for representing the will of the people?

Question No. 35 (18 April)

2008-04-18T08:05:00.001-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win two What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 35:
What are two ways in which the European Union limits the sovereignty of member nations?

Question No. 34 (17 April)

2008-04-17T07:15:00.001-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win a pair of What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 34:

What are two major differences between the political culture of the elite and the political culture of the majority in Nigeria?

What is one factor that bridges the gap between the elite and mass political cultures?

Question No. 33 (16 April)

2008-04-16T07:33:00.000-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (FYI: the e-mail address there changed recently.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win a pair of What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 33:

Interest groups attempt to influence government policy making.

Where, in the political system do British interest groups (like British Hydro) concentrate their efforts? Why?

Where, in the political system do Mexican interest groups concentrate their efforts? Why?

Question 32 (15 April)

2008-04-15T09:50:00.001-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site. (That e-mail address has changed recently.)

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win two What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 32:
The British civil service is usually held up as the epitome of a government bureaucracy. What are two characteristics of the British civil service that help it earn that reputation?

What is one reason why one of those characteristics is considered desirable?

Whitehall Street in London. Many government ministries have offices on this street near Westminster which you can see in this photo.

Question No. 31 (14 April)

2008-04-14T16:28:00.001-05:00

Each weekday between now and May 1, I'll post a question about comparative government and politics.

You submit an answer to the "Questions" e-mail link at the What You Need to Know web site.

If you submit the earliest best answer, I'll publish your answer here a week after the question was posted.

And you'll win a pair of What You Need to Know number two pencils to help you fill in the exam's multiple choice answer sheet. One of the pencils will have all the multiple choice answers on it and the other will display King Arthur's memorable line from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, "You don't vote for kings!"

(You can also win a pair of WYNTK pencils by posing a question that gets used here.)

Here's Question No. 31:
The revolt in the Mexican state of Chiapas has been going on for more than a decade. Why has this rebellion against the authority of the government not caused major disruption of governance?