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Theories of Democracy and Representation

Description: This quiz covers the various theories of democracy and representation, exploring the different perspectives on how power should be distributed and exercised in a democratic system.
Number of Questions: 15
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Tags: political science democracy representation theories of democracy
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What is the central idea behind the Pluralist Theory of democracy?

  1. Power is concentrated in the hands of a few elites.

  2. Power is distributed among a variety of interest groups.

  3. The government is directly controlled by the people.

  4. Democracy is a system of majority rule.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Pluralist theory argues that power in a democracy is not concentrated in the hands of a few elites, but rather is distributed among a variety of interest groups, each competing for influence.

According to Elite Theory, who holds the real power in a democracy?

  1. The majority of the population.

  2. Elected officials.

  3. A small group of elites.

  4. Interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Elite theory posits that a small group of elites, often consisting of wealthy individuals, powerful families, and influential organizations, hold the real power in a democracy, regardless of who is elected to office.

What is the main critique of Direct Democracy?

  1. It is too slow and inefficient.

  2. It is prone to manipulation by special interests.

  3. It is not representative of the entire population.

  4. It is too susceptible to mob rule.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

Critics of direct democracy argue that it is not representative of the entire population, as it gives equal weight to the opinions of all citizens, regardless of their knowledge, expertise, or stake in the issue at hand.

Which theory of democracy emphasizes the importance of deliberation and consensus?

  1. Pluralist Theory.

  2. Elite Theory.

  3. Direct Democracy.

  4. Deliberative Democracy.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

Deliberative democracy theory emphasizes the importance of deliberation and consensus-building among citizens in order to make informed and legitimate decisions.

What is the primary mechanism for representation in a Representative Democracy?

  1. Direct voting.

  2. Consensus-building.

  3. Interest group lobbying.

  4. Elected officials.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, rather than directly participating in decision-making.

What is the median voter theorem?

  1. The median voter is always the most informed voter.

  2. The median voter is always the most wealthy voter.

  3. The median voter is always the most powerful voter.

  4. The median voter is the voter whose preferences are closest to the average preferences of all voters.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The median voter theorem states that in a two-party system, the party that wins an election is the one whose platform is closest to the preferences of the median voter.

According to Social Choice Theory, what is the Arrow's Impossibility Theorem?

  1. It is impossible to design a voting system that is both fair and efficient.

  2. It is impossible to design a voting system that is both democratic and representative.

  3. It is impossible to design a voting system that is both universal and effective.

  4. It is impossible to design a voting system that is both simple and secure.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

Arrow's Impossibility Theorem states that it is impossible to design a voting system that satisfies certain basic criteria, such as fairness, efficiency, and universality.

What is the main difference between majoritarian and consensus democracy?

  1. Majoritarian democracy emphasizes the rights of the minority.

  2. Consensus democracy emphasizes the importance of compromise.

  3. Majoritarian democracy is based on the principle of one person, one vote.

  4. Consensus democracy is based on the principle of unanimity.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

Majoritarian democracy emphasizes the rights of the majority, while consensus democracy emphasizes the importance of compromise and finding solutions that are acceptable to all parties involved.

What is the principal-agent problem in the context of representation?

  1. The principal and the agent have different goals.

  2. The agent has more information than the principal.

  3. The principal cannot monitor the agent's behavior.

  4. All of the above.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The principal-agent problem in the context of representation refers to the situation where the principal (the citizen) delegates decision-making authority to an agent (the elected official), but the agent may have different goals or interests than the principal, more information, and the ability to act in ways that the principal cannot monitor.

What is the trustee model of representation?

  1. Representatives are expected to vote according to their own conscience.

  2. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

  3. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of the party leadership.

  4. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of special interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option: A
Explanation:

The trustee model of representation holds that representatives are elected to use their own judgment and expertise to make decisions on behalf of their constituents, rather than simply following the wishes of their constituents.

What is the delegate model of representation?

  1. Representatives are expected to vote according to their own conscience.

  2. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

  3. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of the party leadership.

  4. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of special interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option: B
Explanation:

The delegate model of representation holds that representatives are elected to carry out the wishes of their constituents, rather than using their own judgment or expertise.

What is the party model of representation?

  1. Representatives are expected to vote according to their own conscience.

  2. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

  3. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of the party leadership.

  4. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of special interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option: C
Explanation:

The party model of representation holds that representatives are elected to carry out the wishes of the party leadership, rather than using their own judgment or expertise or following the wishes of their constituents.

What is the interest group model of representation?

  1. Representatives are expected to vote according to their own conscience.

  2. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

  3. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of the party leadership.

  4. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of special interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The interest group model of representation holds that representatives are elected to carry out the wishes of special interest groups, rather than using their own judgment or expertise or following the wishes of their constituents.

What is the median voter theorem in the context of representation?

  1. The median voter is always the most informed voter.

  2. The median voter is always the most wealthy voter.

  3. The median voter is always the most powerful voter.

  4. The median voter is the voter whose preferences are closest to the average preferences of all voters.

Show answer
Correct Option: D
Explanation:

The median voter theorem in the context of representation states that in a two-party system, the party that wins an election is the one whose platform is closest to the preferences of the median voter.

What is the Downsian model of representation?

  1. Representatives are expected to vote according to their own conscience.

  2. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of their constituents.

  3. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of the party leadership.

  4. Representatives are expected to vote according to the wishes of special interest groups.

Show answer
Correct Option:
Explanation:

The Downsian model of representation holds that representatives are elected to carry out the wishes of the median voter, rather than using their own judgment or expertise or following the wishes of their constituents, the party leadership, or special interest groups.

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