Question No. 11 (31 March 2009)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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)

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 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.

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. 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)

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. 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)

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. 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

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)

---

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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?

---