COMPARATIVE GOVERNMENTS
FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE
Your Final Exam is on Wednesday, January 24 from 12:00 - 2:00 pm and will consist of three parts:
Part
I - The mandatory
essay question from PART I.
Part II - One essay question chosen by the instructor from PART II.
Part III
- Five terms chosen from the list below. You
will choose three.
My Ground Rules:
| You must bring a blue book. |
| No one may leave the room when the test begins except to hand in a completed exam (so go to the bathroom BEFORE the test). |
| Those who arrive late will be allowed to take the test in the remaining time left provided that no one has handed in an exam. |
| Make-ups are not
possible as I will be turning in your grades within 24 hours of the exam. |
Good
Luck!!!
PART I
The following question will appear on your test. Answer it in as much detail as you can in at least 3 full pages in a large blue book, defining terms and providing examples. Points will be awarded on the basis of specificity and coherence of the argument. (200 points).1. Today Russia is a democracy and China is an authoritarian regime. Both have largely pushed aside their inefficient command economies and instituted dramatic free-market reforms. Yet despite their differences in political systems, China prospers while Russia continues to face economic and social difficulties. How do you explain this situation? Why did China succeed in its economic reforms while the former USSR failed? Why does Russia continue to fail to jumpstart its economy and enjoy the same type of prosperity that China does? What kind of social changes has market reform instituted for both of these countries?
PART II
One of the following questions will appear on your test. Answer it in as much detail as you can in at least 2 full pages in a large blue book, defining terms and providing examples. Points will be awarded on the basis of specificity and coherence of the argument. (125 points).1. Compare and contrast the economic positions of Iran and Mexico. In what way has their international positions and their domestic politics been affected by their dependence on an oil economy?
2. "Despite their differences in unitary and federal systems, Great Britain and Mexico share some common traits in the exercising of power from the national government."
Do you agree with the above statement? Explain in detail the differences and commonalities between Britain's and Mexico's political systems.3. Compare and contrast the issue of collective identity in Mexico, China, and Iran? How do people perceive themselves as part of the political-social community? What has been the experience of marginal sectors (ideological, ethnic/racial, religious) in terms of conflict and conciliation of these populations? Do the political systems also reflect their interests?
PART III
Terms
You will have 5 terms from the list below that are drawn from the textbook and the lectures. You will choose 3 (25 points each). Write a detailed one paragraph essay for EACH term in which you address the following questions: who, what, where, when, and SIGNIFICANCE (why it is important). Points will be awarded on the basis of coherence and specificity. Be as detailed as you can, but make sure that the details are relevant.
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