Question 1

Two key ideas introduced by Lenin and the Bolsheviks were

Accepted Answer

A)  democratic centralism and the concept of the vanguard party. 
B)  democratic centralism and socialist reform. 
C)  socialist centralization and the concept of the vanguard party. 
D)  the revolution of the proletariat and the concept of the vanguard party. 
E)  the revolution of the proletariat and democratic centralism. 
A)  democratic centralism and the concept of the vanguard party. 
B)  democratic centralism and socialist reform. 
C)  socialist centralization and the concept of the vanguard party. 
D)  the revolution of the proletariat and the concept of the vanguard party. 
E)  the revolution of the proletariat and democratic centralism.

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Up until 2003, national elections in Russia were generally considered to be reasonably free and fair. 
B)  Voters have always had the option of voting against all of the candidates or parties in national elections. 
C)  National election laws effectively disqualify small national parties and regional parties. 
D)  Although the country has held regular elections, Russia has yet to experience a real transfer of power from one political grouping to another. 
E)  Voter turnout in national elections is fairly high. 
A)  Up until 2003, national elections in Russia were generally considered to be reasonably free and fair. 
B)  Voters have always had the option of voting against all of the candidates or parties in national elections. 
C)  National election laws effectively disqualify small national parties and regional parties. 
D)  Although the country has held regular elections, Russia has yet to experience a real transfer of power from one political grouping to another. 
E)  Voter turnout in national elections is fairly high.

Question 3

Ethnic Russians make up about _________ percent of the population of Russia.

Accepted Answer

A)  50 
B)  60 
C)  90 
D)  80 
E)  40 
A)  50 
B)  60 
C)  90 
D)  80 
E)  40

Question 4

The phrase power vertical refers to the idea that

Accepted Answer

A)  a single party or party bloc should dominate politics. 
B)  there should exist an integrated and hierarchal structure of executive power ranging from the national to the local level. 
C)  political power should flow upward from "the people." 
D)  federal officials should be free to interfere with regional politics. 
E)  regional governments should have some say in the making of federal policy and the federal government should have some say in the making of regional policy. 
A)  a single party or party bloc should dominate politics. 
B)  there should exist an integrated and hierarchal structure of executive power ranging from the national to the local level. 
C)  political power should flow upward from "the people." 
D)  federal officials should be free to interfere with regional politics. 
E)  regional governments should have some say in the making of federal policy and the federal government should have some say in the making of regional policy.

Question 5

How have Russian leaders adapted their country's policies to their country's loss of superpower status? What have been the main policy directions Russia has taken to forge a new international role for itself?

Accepted Answer

After the collapse of the Soviet Union i

Question 6

Putin has sought to assure greater federal authority over the regions by

Accepted Answer

A)  creating federal districts to oversee the regions. 
B)  removing regional executives from the Federation Council. 
C)  eliminating the popular election of regional executives. 
D)  removing several recalcitrant regional executives from office. 
E)  all of the above. 
A)  creating federal districts to oversee the regions. 
B)  removing regional executives from the Federation Council. 
C)  eliminating the popular election of regional executives. 
D)  removing several recalcitrant regional executives from office. 
E)  all of the above.

Question 7

Which of the following describes Russia's geographic setting?

Accepted Answer

A)  It is the second largest country in the world. 
B)  It is rich in natural resources including timber, minerals, and fossil fuels. 
C)  It is largely an urban country with a high population density. 
D)  It spans eight time zones. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  It is the second largest country in the world. 
B)  It is rich in natural resources including timber, minerals, and fossil fuels. 
C)  It is largely an urban country with a high population density. 
D)  It spans eight time zones. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 8

Which of the following was NOT an obstacle to the market reforms of the early 1990s?

Accepted Answer

A)  The lack of an effective tax collection system 
B)  Inadequate state regulation 
C)  Resistance from regional leaders and oligarchs 
D)  Continued government subsidization of ineffective operations 
E)  All of the above were obstacles to the reforms. 
A)  The lack of an effective tax collection system 
B)  Inadequate state regulation 
C)  Resistance from regional leaders and oligarchs 
D)  Continued government subsidization of ineffective operations 
E)  All of the above were obstacles to the reforms.

Question 9

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Yeltsin suspended its operations in 1993. 
B)  It has the power to adjudicate disputes on the constitutionality of federal and regional laws. 
C)  Although it has a record of protecting individual rights and addressing the constitutionality of regional laws, it has been cautious in confronting the executive. 
D)  Its judges are nominated by the president but must be approved by the Federation Council. 
E)  Its power is weakened because it cannot rule on jurisdictional disputes between government institutions. 
A)  Yeltsin suspended its operations in 1993. 
B)  It has the power to adjudicate disputes on the constitutionality of federal and regional laws. 
C)  Although it has a record of protecting individual rights and addressing the constitutionality of regional laws, it has been cautious in confronting the executive. 
D)  Its judges are nominated by the president but must be approved by the Federation Council. 
E)  Its power is weakened because it cannot rule on jurisdictional disputes between government institutions.

Question 10

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Wage differentials have decreased substantially since the economic upturn that began in 1999. 
B)  The average level of disposable income has decreased steadily since market reforms were introduced in the early 1990s. 
C)  Many Russians of all age groups question some of the values underlying market reform. 
D)  Urban residents have been less likely to benefit from market reform than rural residents. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  Wage differentials have decreased substantially since the economic upturn that began in 1999. 
B)  The average level of disposable income has decreased steadily since market reforms were introduced in the early 1990s. 
C)  Many Russians of all age groups question some of the values underlying market reform. 
D)  Urban residents have been less likely to benefit from market reform than rural residents. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Question 11

Which of the following policies was NOT associated with Gorbachev's reform strategy?

Accepted Answer

A)  New thinking 
B)  Glasnost 
C)  Perestroika 
D)  Demokratitizaskiia 
E)  Nomenklatura 
A)  New thinking 
B)  Glasnost 
C)  Perestroika 
D)  Demokratitizaskiia 
E)  Nomenklatura

Question 12

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is best described as

Accepted Answer

A)  a Russian nationalist party. 
B)  a party with a liberal and democratic platform. 
C)  a party that promotes Western-style social democracy. 
D)  the dominant party in Russia. 
E)  the party most committed to civil liberties and individual rights. 
A)  a Russian nationalist party. 
B)  a party with a liberal and democratic platform. 
C)  a party that promotes Western-style social democracy. 
D)  the dominant party in Russia. 
E)  the party most committed to civil liberties and individual rights.

Question 13

The military has directly usurped civilian power

Accepted Answer

A)  never in either the either the Soviet or post-Soviet era. 
B)  only once in 1991. 
C)  only during the Soviet era. 
D)  only in Russia's regions during states of emergency. 
E)  only in Chechnya. 
A)  never in either the either the Soviet or post-Soviet era. 
B)  only once in 1991. 
C)  only during the Soviet era. 
D)  only in Russia's regions during states of emergency. 
E)  only in Chechnya.

Question 14

The 1998 financial crisis had which of the following positive effects on Russia?

Accepted Answer

A)  It made Russian products more competitive with imported goods. 
B)  It resulted in an increase in barter. 
C)  It led to an increase of foreign aid. 
D)  It led to an increase of foreign investment in the country. 
E)  It increased the availability of foreign goods. 
A)  It made Russian products more competitive with imported goods. 
B)  It resulted in an increase in barter. 
C)  It led to an increase of foreign aid. 
D)  It led to an increase of foreign investment in the country. 
E)  It increased the availability of foreign goods.

Question 15

Soft authoritarianism refers to

Accepted Answer

A)  a tightening of political controls combined with a loosening of economic controls. 
B)  the re-emergence of the communist party as a political force in Russia. 
C)  Russia's increasingly militant actions in its near abroad. 
D)  a system of informal and formal mechanisms that assure the dominance of a ruling group despite the existence of some forms of political competition and opposition. 
E)  the use of repressive political controls designed to limit opposition. 
A)  a tightening of political controls combined with a loosening of economic controls. 
B)  the re-emergence of the communist party as a political force in Russia. 
C)  Russia's increasingly militant actions in its near abroad. 
D)  a system of informal and formal mechanisms that assure the dominance of a ruling group despite the existence of some forms of political competition and opposition. 
E)  the use of repressive political controls designed to limit opposition.

Question 16

Who makes up the State Council?

Accepted Answer

A)  The president, prime minister, and chairs of important legislative committees 
B)  The ministers in the government 
C)  The heads of the regions of Russia 
D)  Ministers involved with foreign affairs and security 
E)  Anyone the president chooses to appoint to this largely ceremonial body 
A)  The president, prime minister, and chairs of important legislative committees 
B)  The ministers in the government 
C)  The heads of the regions of Russia 
D)  Ministers involved with foreign affairs and security 
E)  Anyone the president chooses to appoint to this largely ceremonial body

Question 17

Which of the following statements about Russian political parties is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Virtually all major parties have not challenged either political or economic reform, although they do differ over the pace and costs of these. 
B)  Regional parties, especially in those regions with large Muslim populations, have emerged to become important players in Russian politics. 
C)  Russian political parties do not fit neatly on a left-right spectrum because nationalistic sentiments crosscut economic ideologies. 
D)  Parties initially formed around prominent individuals. 
E)  Although the country maintains a competitive multiparty system, since 2003, a single-party has emerged as the dominant party. 
A)  Virtually all major parties have not challenged either political or economic reform, although they do differ over the pace and costs of these. 
B)  Regional parties, especially in those regions with large Muslim populations, have emerged to become important players in Russian politics. 
C)  Russian political parties do not fit neatly on a left-right spectrum because nationalistic sentiments crosscut economic ideologies. 
D)  Parties initially formed around prominent individuals. 
E)  Although the country maintains a competitive multiparty system, since 2003, a single-party has emerged as the dominant party.

Question 18

____________ comprise the largest ethnic minority group.

Accepted Answer

A)  Tatars 
B)  Chechens 
C)  Bashkirs 
D)  Ukrainians 
E)  Jews 
A)  Tatars 
B)  Chechens 
C)  Bashkirs 
D)  Ukrainians 
E)  Jews

Question 19

Which of the following best describes liberal/reform parties?

Accepted Answer

A)  They have generally become marginalized since 2003. 
B)  They traditionally drew their support from the young, well-educated, urban dwellers and the well-off. 
C)  In the eyes of many Russians, they have become associated with policies that led to Russia's economic decline. 
D)  They have had difficulty running under a uniform and consistent party name. 
E)  All of the above. 
A)  They have generally become marginalized since 2003. 
B)  They traditionally drew their support from the young, well-educated, urban dwellers and the well-off. 
C)  In the eyes of many Russians, they have become associated with policies that led to Russia's economic decline. 
D)  They have had difficulty running under a uniform and consistent party name. 
E)  All of the above.

Question 20

Which of the following is TRUE?

Accepted Answer

A)  Several television channels are either directly or indirectly owned by the state thus limiting the role of the media as a public watchdog. 
B)  Russia ranks as the third-most dangerous country for journalists in the world. 
C)  According to Reporters without Borders, Russia ranks very low in terms of press freedom. 
D)  There has been an increasing control of major media outlets by groups close to Putin. 
E)  All of the above statements are true. 
A)  Several television channels are either directly or indirectly owned by the state thus limiting the role of the media as a public watchdog. 
B)  Russia ranks as the third-most dangerous country for journalists in the world. 
C)  According to Reporters without Borders, Russia ranks very low in terms of press freedom. 
D)  There has been an increasing control of major media outlets by groups close to Putin. 
E)  All of the above statements are true.

Two key ideas introduced by Lenin and the Bolsheviks were

Which of the following is NOT true?

Ethnic Russians make up about _________ percent of the population of Russia.

The phrase power vertical refers to the idea that

How have Russian leaders adapted their country's policies to their country's loss of superpower status? What have been the main policy directions Russia has taken to forge a new international role for itself?

Putin has sought to assure greater federal authority over the regions by

Which of the following describes Russia's geographic setting?

Which of the following was NOT an obstacle to the market reforms of the early 1990s?

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is NOT true?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Which of the following policies was NOT associated with Gorbachev's reform strategy?

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is best described as

The military has directly usurped civilian power

The 1998 financial crisis had which of the following positive effects on Russia?

Soft authoritarianism refers to

Who makes up the State Council?

Which of the following statements about Russian political parties is NOT true?

____________ comprise the largest ethnic minority group.

Which of the following best describes liberal/reform parties?

Which of the following is TRUE?

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters

Exam 8: Russia

Two key ideas introduced by Lenin and the Bolsheviks were

Which of the following is NOT true?

Ethnic Russians make up about _________ percent of the population of Russia.

The phrase power vertical refers to the idea that

How have Russian leaders adapted their country's policies to their country's loss of superpower status? What have been the main policy directions Russia has taken to forge a new international role for itself?

Putin has sought to assure greater federal authority over the regions by

Which of the following describes Russia's geographic setting?

Which of the following was NOT an obstacle to the market reforms of the early 1990s?

Which of the following statements about the Russian Constitutional Court is NOT true?

Which of the following statements is TRUE?

Which of the following policies was NOT associated with Gorbachev's reform strategy?

The Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) is best described as

The military has directly usurped civilian power

The 1998 financial crisis had which of the following positive effects on Russia?

Soft authoritarianism refers to

Who makes up the State Council?

Which of the following statements about Russian political parties is NOT true?

____________ comprise the largest ethnic minority group.

Which of the following best describes liberal/reform parties?

Which of the following is TRUE?

Introducing Comparative Politics

Britain

France

Germany

Japan

India

The United States

Brazil

Mexico

South Africa

Nigeria

Iran

China

Filters