AP Comp Gov Russia semi-presidential system practice questions

This study set contains practice questions for the AP Comparative Government exam focused on Russia's semi-presidential system, including key terms, structures, and functions.

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What are the two main branches of government in Russia?

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Executive and Legislative branches.

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Quiz(64 vragen)

Vraag 1 van 64

1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the executive branch in Russia?

Termen in deze set(64)

Political Structures(16)

What are the two main branches of government in Russia?

Executive and Legislative branches.

True or False: The president has the power to dissolve the Duma.

True. The president can dissolve the State Duma under certain conditions.

Fill in the blank: The head of government in Russia is the ____.

Prime Minister.

What is the role of the Federation Council?

It represents regional interests and approves legislation.

Compare the powers of the president and the prime minister.

President: oversees foreign policy, armed forces. Prime Minister: manages domestic policies, government operations.

What is a key function of the State Duma?

To propose and vote on legislation.

Cause → Effect: Why might a president veto legislation?

To block laws that conflict with their policy agenda.

Which body initiates federal legislation in Russia?

The State Duma initiates federal legislation.

True or False: The Prime Minister must be approved by the Duma.

True. The Duma must approve the president's nominee for Prime Minister.

What are 'federal subjects' in Russia?

Constituent entities like republics and territories with some autonomy.

What is the relationship between the president and the prime minister?

The president appoints the prime minister, who manages the government.

How many members are in the Federation Council?

There are 170 members in the Federation Council.

What is the term length for the president of Russia?

The president serves a six-year term.

Fill in the blank: The ____ conducts constitutional oversight.

Constitutional Court.

What is one power exclusive to the Federation Council?

Approving or rejecting presidential decrees related to martial law.

What is the role of the Constitutional Court?

To interpret the constitution and protect rights.

Political Actors and Parties(16)

Who is the current President of Russia?

Vladimir Putin has been in power as President since May 7, 2012.

What is the primary political party in Russia?

United Russia is the dominant political party, supporting the policies of Vladimir Putin.

True or False: The Prime Minister has more power than the President.

False: In Russia's semi-presidential system, the President holds significant power.

Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister is appointed by the _____ and approved by the _____ .

President; State Duma.

Compare the roles of the President and Prime Minister in Russia.

President: Head of state, controls foreign policy. Prime Minister: Head of government, oversees domestic policy.

What major role does the Federation Council play?

The Federation Council represents regional interests and approves federal legislation.

Identify the party that opposes United Russia.

The Communist Party of the Russian Federation is the main opposition party.

What is the role of the State Duma?

The State Duma is the lower house of parliament, responsible for initiating legislation.

True or False: Political parties in Russia have equal representation in the Duma.

False: United Russia holds a majority, limiting opposition influence.

Who was Prime Minister before Mikhail Mishustin?

Dmitry Medvedev served as Prime Minister prior to Mikhail Mishustin.

What is the significance of the Just Russia party?

Just Russia promotes social justice and represents a moderate alternative to United Russia.

Cause → Effect: The rise of United Russia's power led to _____ .

Increased consolidation of political authority and reduced opposition.

What role do regional leaders play in Russian politics?

Regional leaders manage local governance and influence national policies through the Federation Council.

Identify a key feature of Russian political competition.

Elections often favor established parties and limit the effectiveness of challengers.

Who are the oligarchs in Russian politics?

Business magnates with significant influence over political decisions and policies.

What is the role of the Central Election Commission?

It oversees elections in Russia, ensuring compliance with electoral laws and procedures.

Elections and Voting(16)

What is the main electoral body in Russia?

The Central Election Commission (CEC) is responsible for overseeing elections in Russia.

True or False: Presidential elections in Russia are held every four years.

True. Presidential elections occur every six years, as established by constitutional amendments.

Fill in the blank: The President of Russia can serve a maximum of ___ consecutive terms.

Two consecutive terms.

What are the two main types of elections in Russia?

Presidential elections and parliamentary elections.

Compare presidential and parliamentary election processes in Russia.

- Presidential: Direct popular vote. - Parliamentary: Proportional representation and single-mandate districts.

What is the voting age in Russia?

The legal voting age in Russia is 18 years.

Cause → Effect: What happens when a candidate receives more than 50% of votes?

They win the presidency outright; if not, a runoff election is held.

What electoral system is used for the State Duma elections?

Mixed electoral system: 225 seats from proportional representation and 225 from single-member districts.

What is the role of observers in Russian elections?

Observers monitor elections to ensure fairness, though their effectiveness is often debated.

True or False: Voter turnout in Russia is often above 70%.

True. Voter turnout has frequently exceeded 70% in recent elections.

What can citizens do if they suspect electoral fraud?

File complaints with the Central Election Commission or appeal to courts.

Name a major political party involved in Russian elections.

United Russia is the dominant political party in Russia.

True or False: Regional elections in Russia are less significant than federal elections.

False. Regional elections can significantly influence local governance and politics.

What is a key feature of the 2020 constitutional amendments?

They allow President Putin to potentially remain in power until 2036.

What is the significance of the 'single-mandate district' system?

It allows candidates to compete in specific local areas, influencing representation.

What is a runoff election?

A second round of voting held if no candidate receives a majority in the first round.

Policy and Governance(16)

Define semi-presidential system.

A governance system combining a directly elected president and a prime minister accountable to the legislature.

What role does the president play in policy-making?

The president sets the agenda, influences legislation, and has veto power over laws.

True or False: The Prime Minister has no significant power in Russia.

False. The Prime Minister manages the government and implements policies.

How does the Duma influence legislation?

The State Duma debates and votes on laws, playing a key role in policy-making.

List two challenges of governance in Russia's system.

- Centralization of power - Limited political pluralism

Fill in the blank: The president can issue __________ to enact laws quickly.

decrees

Compare policy-making in Russia vs. the U.S.

Russia's policy-making is more centralized; the U.S. features checks and balances among branches.

What is the significance of the Federation Council?

It represents regional interests and can delay legislation passed by the Duma.

Identify one mechanism for public participation in policy-making.

Public consultations and hearings can influence legislative processes.

True or False: The Kremlin controls all legislative initiatives.

True. The Kremlin heavily influences the legislative agenda and proposals.

What does the Prime Minister's cabinet do?

The cabinet proposes policies, manages government departments, and implements laws.

Identify a consequence of presidential decree power.

It allows for rapid policy changes without legislative approval.

What is the role of political parties in policy-making?

Parties influence the legislative agenda and mobilize public support for policies.

List one domestic challenge faced by the government.

Economic sanctions impacting policy options.

How does federalism affect governance?

Federalism creates tensions between regional and federal authorities over policy control.

True or False: Civil society plays a major role in Russian policy-making.

False. Civil society is often restricted and has limited influence on policy.

Vragen in deze set(64)

1. Which of the following best describes the primary function of the executive branch in Russia?

A.To enforce laws and conduct foreign policy
B.To draft and pass legislation
C.To interpret the constitution
D.To oversee local governments

2. Who currently serves as the President of Russia?

A.Vladimir Putin
B.Dmitry Medvedev
C.Mikhail Mishustin
D.Sergei Lavrov

3. What defines a semi-presidential system?

A.A system with both a directly elected president and a prime minister accountable to the legislature
B.A governance structure with only a president and no prime minister
C.A system where the legislature elects the president
D.A parliamentary system with no separation of powers

4. What is the primary function of the Central Election Commission (CEC) in Russia?

A.To oversee and regulate elections
B.To conduct public opinion polls
C.To organize political campaigns
D.To manage party funding

5. Which body has the authority to confirm the President's appointment of the Prime Minister?

A.The Federation Council
B.The State Duma
C.The Constitutional Court
D.The Supreme Court

6. Which political party has the most seats in the State Duma?

A.Communist Party
B.Liberal Democratic Party
C.Just Russia
D.United Russia

7. In Russia, what is one significant role of the president in the policy-making process?

A.To ensure that the parliament is dissolved
B.To set the legislative agenda and influence laws
C.To serve only ceremonial functions
D.To choose members of the judiciary

8. How often are presidential elections held in Russia?

A.Every four years
B.Every five years
C.Every six years
D.Every seven years

9. True or False: The President of Russia can serve an unlimited number of terms.

A.True
B.False
C.Depends on the year
D.Only during emergencies

10. True or False: The President of Russia is primarily responsible for domestic policy.

A.True
B.False
C.Not Applicable
D.Depends on the situation

11. True or False: The Prime Minister in Russia has no real influence on policy decisions.

A.True
B.False
C.Only during crises
D.Only in economic matters

12. Fill in the blank: A candidate must receive more than ___% of the votes to win the presidency outright.

A.30
B.40
C.50
D.60

13. What is the role of the State Duma in the legislative process?

A.To propose and approve amendments to the constitution
B.To conduct judicial reviews
C.To propose and vote on legislation
D.To confirm presidential appointments

14. Fill in the blank: The Prime Minister of Russia is appointed by the _____ and approved by the _____.

A.Parliament; Federation Council
B.President; State Duma
C.State Duma; President
D.Council of Ministers; Senate

15. How does the State Duma primarily influence legislation in Russia?

A.By conducting presidential elections
B.By debating and voting on proposed laws
C.By appointing judges
D.By approving international treaties

16. What are the two predominant types of elections in Russia?

A.Presidential and governor elections
B.Parliamentary and regional elections
C.Presidential and parliamentary elections
D.Local and federal elections

17. Fill in the blank: The ____ is responsible for approving federal laws in Russia.

A.Executive Committee
B.Federation Council
C.Presidential Office
D.State Duma

18. Which of the following describes the role of regional leaders in Russian politics?

A.They have no influence on national policies.
B.They manage local governance and influence federal legislation.
C.They are elected by the national electorate.
D.They serve only ceremonial functions.

19. Which of the following is a challenge of governance in Russia's semi-presidential system?

A.High levels of political pluralism
B.Decentralization of power
C.Centralization of authority and limited political competition
D.Strong civil society engagement

20. What is the minimum voting age for citizens in Russia?

A.16 years
B.18 years
C.21 years
D.25 years

21. Which of the following powers is unique to the Federation Council?

A.Initiating legislation
B.Overruling presidential vetoes
C.Approving treaties
D.Authorizing the use of military force

22. What is the primary purpose of the Federation Council in Russia?

A.To initiate legislation
B.To represent regional interests and approve federal legislation
C.To oversee elections
D.To manage international relations

23. Fill in the blank: The president in Russia can issue __________ to quickly enforce policy changes.

A.executive orders
B.decrees
C.laws
D.regulations

24. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes, what happens next?

A.The election is canceled
B.A new election date is set
C.A runoff election is held
D.The candidate with the most votes wins

25. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Russia's semi-presidential system?

A.A head of state and head of government
B.Direct election of the Prime Minister
C.Shared executive powers
D.A bicameral legislature

26. Identify the main opposition party to United Russia.

A.Liberal Democratic Party
B.Communist Party of the Russian Federation
C.Just Russia
D.New People

27. How does policy-making in Russia differ from that in the United States?

A.Russia uses a purely parliamentary system
B.U.S. features a stronger executive authority
C.Russia's system is more centralized and lacks checks on power
D.The U.S. uses decrees to enact laws

28. Which electoral system is utilized for elections to the State Duma?

A.Proportional representation only
B.Single-member districts only
C.A mixed electoral system
D.Majoritarian system

29. What is one of the key powers of the President in Russia?

A.To approve federal budget proposals
B.To dissolve the State Duma
C.To serve as the head of the judiciary
D.To initiate legislation

30. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Russian electoral politics?

A.Elections are competitive
B.Opposition parties face obstacles
C.United Russia holds a majority
D.Media coverage favors the ruling party

31. What is the purpose of the Federation Council in Russia?

A.To draft new laws
B.To represent regional interests and review legislation
C.To enforce laws at the federal level
D.To conduct international relations

32. What is the role of election observers in Russia?

A.They decide election outcomes
B.They monitor for fairness and transparency
C.They conduct exit polls
D.They organize election logistics

33. True or False: The Federation Council consists of representatives from the regional governments.

A.True
B.False
C.Only from major cities
D.Only from federal subjects with autonomy

34. What is the role of the Central Election Commission in Russia?

A.To draft new laws
B.To oversee and regulate elections
C.To appoint government officials
D.To conduct foreign policy

35. Which of the following is a method for citizens to engage in policy-making in Russia?

A.Direct elections for all governmental positions
B.Public consultations and hearings
C.Mandatory voting on every policy
D.Online petitions for all legislation

36. True or False: Voter turnout in Russia is typically below 50%.

A.True
B.False
C.Depends on the region
D.Only in urban areas

37. What is the term length for members of the Federation Council?

A.Four years
B.Six years
C.Five years
D.Life term

38. Who was the Prime Minister of Russia prior to Mikhail Mishustin?

A.Vladimir Putin
B.Dmitry Medvedev
C.Alexei Kudrin
D.Sergei Sobyanin

39. True or False: The Kremlin has no influence over legislative initiatives in Russia.

A.True
B.False
C.Only in foreign policy matters
D.Only during elections

40. What can voters do if they believe there has been electoral fraud?

A.Ignore the results
B.Vote again
C.File complaints with the CEC
D.Change their votes

41. Which body conducts constitutional oversight in Russia?

A.State Duma
B.Federation Council
C.Constitutional Court
D.Supreme Court

42. What is the significance of the Just Russia party?

A.It promotes extreme nationalism.
B.It serves as a moderate alternative to United Russia.
C.It is a regional party with no national influence.
D.It focuses solely on economic issues.

43. What function does the Prime Minister's cabinet serve in Russia?

A.It conducts foreign policy exclusively
B.It proposes policies and manages government departments
C.It oversees the judiciary
D.It holds legislative power

44. Which of the following is a major political party in Russia?

A.Communist Party
B.Liberal Democratic Party
C.United Russia
D.Socialist Party

45. Which of the following is a key responsibility of the Prime Minister?

A.Conducting foreign relations
B.Managing domestic policies and government operations
C.Appointing regional governors
D.Dissolving the Duma

46. Cause → Effect: The consolidation of power by United Russia has led to _____ in political competition.

A.Increased opposition strength
B.Greater political pluralism
C.Limited effectiveness of opposition parties
D.More frequent elections

47. What is a consequence of the president's decree power in Russia?

A.It leads to slower policy implementation
B.It creates a transparent legislative process
C.It enables rapid changes in policy without legislative approval
D.It increases checks and balances

48. True or False: Federal elections are always held on the same date across all regions in Russia.

A.True
B.False
C.Only for presidential elections
D.Only for parliamentary elections

49. Fill in the blank: The President of Russia is the commander-in-chief of the ____.

A.Army
B.Judiciary
C.Legislature
D.Executive

50. Which of the following best describes the role of oligarchs in Russian politics?

A.They have no political influence.
B.They are primarily involved in local governance.
C.They are influential business leaders who affect political decisions.
D.They are elected officials in the Duma.

51. How do political parties influence policy-making in Russia?

A.They have no impact on the legislative agenda
B.They disrupt the policy-making process
C.They mobilize public support for policies
D.They serve only as a ceremonial role

52. What key change was introduced by the 2020 constitutional amendments regarding presidential terms?

A.Increased presidential term limits
B.Term limits were removed
C.Allowed presidential terms to be extended to 10 years
D.Enabled Putin to run again

53. How many members are there in the State Duma?

A.450
B.200
C.300
D.500

54. What is the primary purpose of the State Duma in Russia?

A.To represent regional interests
B.To oversee the Prime Minister
C.To initiate and pass legislation
D.To conduct foreign affairs

55. What is a domestic challenge the Russian government faces in policy-making?

A.High levels of foreign investment
B.Economic sanctions affecting policy options
C.Strong opposition parties
D.Increased transparency in government

56. What is the purpose of the single-mandate district system in elections?

A.To increase representation of minority parties
B.To allow candidates to compete in local areas
C.To ensure majority rule
D.To simplify the electoral process

57. What is the role of the Constitutional Court in the Russian political system?

A.To formulate public policy
B.To resolve disputes between branches of government
C.To interpret the constitution and protect rights
D.To manage governmental budgets

58. True or False: Political parties in Russia are allowed to operate freely without restrictions.

A.True
B.False
C.Depends on the party
D.Only in elections

59. How does federalism shape governance in Russia?

A.It eliminates regional differences
B.It creates tensions between regional and federal authorities
C.It ensures equal power distribution
D.It strengthens national unity

60. What is defined as a runoff election?

A.A first round of voting
B.A second round of voting when needed
C.A general election
D.A local election

61. Which of the following statements about the relationship between the president and the prime minister in Russia is true?

A.The president has the authority to appoint the prime minister, who then manages domestic policies.
B.The prime minister can appoint the president if the Duma approves.
C.The president and prime minister are elected by the same electorate.
D.The prime minister has more power over foreign policy than the president.

62. Which of the following statements best describes the primary role of the President in Russia's semi-presidential system?

A.A. The President formulates foreign policy and represents the state internationally.
B.B. The President oversees the daily operations of the government.
C.C. The President is primarily responsible for legislative initiatives.
D.D. The President manages local governance across the regions.

63. True or False: Civil society is a strong force in shaping policy in Russia.

A.True
B.False
C.Only in urban areas
D.Only during elections

64. Which of the following statements about the voting system in Russia is NOT true?

A.The president is elected through a direct popular vote.
B.Parliamentary elections use a mixed electoral system.
C.All citizens aged 16 can vote in federal elections.
D.The Central Election Commission oversees all elections.

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