Political Systems and Government Types
Which term describes a system where power is concentrated in the central government, with little authority given to regional governments?
Federal
Supranational
Unitary
Confederal
How might neorealist principles be evidenced in a federal system where sub-national units seek alliances with foreign powers independent from central governmental control?
International organizations may facilitate cooperative agreements between sub-national units and other countries emphasizing global governance concepts.
Non-state actors operating within sub-national territories might promote transnational advocacy networks influencing foreign policy.
Sub-national units aligning with foreign powers could illustrate collective security dynamics within internal borders.
Sub-national units may seek external allies for security against potential domination by the central government.
Why might decentralization in a federal system improve responsiveness during an environmental disaster?
Regional leaders lack expertise compared with centralized bodies dedicated solely to disaster management strategies.
Local authorities have greater flexibility in directing resources swiftly where needed without waiting for central approval.
Centralized funding mechanisms ensure equitable distribution of funds across regions facing similar disasters.
A unified command structure under one central authority reduces confusion during emergency response operations.
In a federal system, what would most likely limit the ability of regional governments to enact policies that diverge from national laws?
Non-governmental organizations impose regulations on regional legislative bodies.
International treaties override the policy decisions made by regional governments.
The constitution clearly delineates the division of powers between national and regional authorities.
Local councils have unrestricted policy-making powers within their territories.
How can civil society groups affect policy decisions within political systems?
Appointing representatives to governmental positions without election
By organizing public campaigns to sway public opinion and legislators' votes
Issuing legally binding directives that must be followed by the government
Through directly voting on legislative proposals like members of parliament
How do differing concepts of individualism vs collectivism impact governance structures in whether countries adopt federal versus unitary systems?
Collectivist societies always seek decentralized forms of governance to maximize community involvement.
Individualistic societies choose neither system as commercial interests outweigh governance formation.
Countries with stronger collectivist viewpoints might prefer unitary systems for cohesive national policies.
Individualistic cultures necessarily adapt federalism due to higher valuing of regional identity.
How might national referendums in a unitary state like the United Kingdom affect policy decisions compared to those in a federal system?
They allow regional governments to override national decisions.
They are only advisory and cannot bring about actual policy change.
They prevent the central government from making unilateral changes to policies.
They can directly alter national policies without consideration of regional preferences.

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Which characteristic is most commonly associated with a unitary system of government?
Equal representation of regional governments in a national senate.
Autonomy of subnational units to enact distinct policies.
Centralization of power in the national government.
A formal division of power between different levels of government.
In which type of governmental structure does a central authority hold most political power, with limited administrative decentralization?
Federal System
Direct Democracy
Unitary System
Confederation
How might a unitary state with high levels of ethnic heterogeneity address minority group concerns differently than a federal state?
Allowing autonomous regions for each ethnic group within the nation-state.
Implementing targeted national policies that aim to integrate minority groups.
Encouraging self-governance through localized legislative bodies.
Delegating authority over minority affairs to regional governments.