European Politics Kubicek 3rd Edition Chapter (7).doc

Kubicek, European Politics Chapter 7 Test Bank Questions Multiple Choice Questions 1. In 2008, the Turkish Constitutional Court a. banned the ruling Justice and Development Party (JDP). b. cut state funding to the JDP but did not ban the party. c. banned certain JDP officials from holding public office. d. invalidated the election of the JDP. e. dismissed the case against the JDP. Answer: b; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 181 2. Constitutions typically do all of the following EXCEPT a. define how power is distributed among political actors. b. define the nature and extent of citizens’ rights. c. serve as the foundation for all laws. d. establish how many political parties will exist in a country. e. establish how political decisions are to be made. Answer d Understanding pp. 182–183 Answer: d; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: pp. 182-183 3. The oldest written constitution in effect in Europe today is that of a. Great Britain. b. Germany. c. Poland. d. the Netherlands. e. Norway. Answer: d; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 182 4. Why do many European constitutions, unlike the U.S. Constitution, establish a number of socioeconomic rights for citizens? a. These countries were influenced by communism. b. These constitutions are relatively recent and reflect a larger state role in society. c. European countries are richer than the United States. d. The EU made them include these rights. e. They reflect the heritage of the French Revolution. Answer: b; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 183 5. Judicial review a. is found in all European countries. b. has become a more common feature in European countries. c. gives voters the chance to overturn laws. d. is an example of majoritarian democracy. e. occurs in Europe only in the European Court of Justice. Answer: b; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: pp. 184-185 6. What makes the British constitution unique? a. It has the strongest judicial review in Europe. b. It is commonly referred to as “unwritten.” c. It is the newest constitution in Europe. d. It has to be approved by voters. e. It is the shortest European constitution. Answer: b; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 184 7. One consequence of Great Britain’s unique constitutional structure is a. parliamentary supremacy. b. the country’s rejection of the euro. c. strong bicameralism. d. separate constitutions for each of its regions. e. it is very hard to amend the constitution. Answer: a; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 184 8. Which of the following countries are federal? a. Poland and Spain b. Germany and Austria c. Great Britain and Italy d. France and Italy e. Germany and Sweden Answer: b; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: pp. 185-186 9. Federal states in Europe a. are more homogeneous. b. have bicameral parliaments where both houses have real power. c. are semi-presidential. d. adopt single-member district plurality voting. e. are concentrated in Eastern Europe. Answer: b; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 186 10. Unitary states a. are not democratic. b. have presidential systems. c. are not federal. d. are constitutional monarchies. e. are countries that used to be divided into various parts. Answer: c; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 187 11. Judicial review a. is found in federal states because powers within the country must be formally divided. b. is found in unitary states because powers within the country must be formally divided. c. is found in federal states because people have more rights in a federal system. d. is found in federal states because they are more diverse. e. is found in federal states because they have newer constitutions. Answer: a; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 186 12. Subsidiarity a. is an argument for federalism. b. is an argument for judicial review. c. is an argument for unitary states. d. is an argument for more powers for the EU. e. is an argument against the use of referendums. Answer: a; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 186 13. Devolution is an example of a. subsidiarity. b. judicial review. c. centralization of power. d. market-based economic reform. e. parliamentary supremacy. Answer: a; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 188-189 14. Strong separatist movements exist in a. Germany and France. b. Germany and Italy. c. Great Britain and Spain. d. Ireland and Sweden. e. Bulgaria and Poland. Answer: c; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 188-189 15. Separatism in Italy seems to be driven by a. poorer regions wanting to secede. b. richer regions wanting to secede. c. ethnic divisions. d. historical divisions reanimating themselves. e. linguistic divisions. Answer: b; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 188 16. The group in Spain associated with separatist violence are the a. Catalans. b. Padanians. c. Basques. d. Castillians. e. Valencians. Answer: c; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 189 17. According to the textbook, national level courts a. are hostile to the European Court of Justice (ECJ). b. tell the ECJ how to rule. c. have worked together to undermine the ECJ. d. often cooperate with the ECJ. e. have little to do with the ECJ. Answer: d; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 191-192 18. One advantage of “common law” is that a. it is easier to understand. b. judges just apply the law as it is written. c. it is more flexible and allows for the law to evolve over time. d. it is more democratic. e. it is a common legal code that applies throughout Europe. Answer: c; Skill level: Evaluation; Page reference: p. 190 19. Where is the legal system built upon “common law”? a. Ireland b. Scotland c. France d. Spain e. Switzerland Answer: a; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 190 20. Judges have more power and discretion a. in systems that use “common law.” b. in systems that use “code law.” c. in supranational systems. d. in federal systems. e. in matters involving EU law. Answer a Analysis p. 190 Answer: a; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 190 21. Under a system based on “code law,” all of the following are true EXCEPT a. judges have little discretion. b. defendants often do not have the presumption of innocence. c. the judge is an agent of the state, not a neutral observer. d. it is easier to handle cases where the state is the defendant. e. judicial precedent plays little role. Answer: d; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 190 22. An ombudsman a. handles complaints about government’s abuse of power. b. helps EU law be written into national law. c. is a government prosecutor. d. appoints judges. e. has been set up in many cases to try cases with “universal jurisdiction.” Answer: a; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 193 23. Referendums are used most often in a. Great Britain. b. Switzerland. c. Turkey. d. Poland. e. France. Answer: b; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 194 24. The German Constitutional Court a. is weak compared to similar courts in Europe. b. has intervened in cases to shape Germany’s relationship with the EU. c. is unique in Europe because voters elect its judges. d. has never declared a German law unconstitutional. e. can be overridden if a law is passed with a two-thirds vote. Answer: b; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 195-196 25. What is a feature of France’s Constitutional Council? a. It is elected by voters. b. It argues in favor of universal jurisdiction. c. It reviews laws before they are officially adopted. d. Ordinary citizens can take a case before it. e. It has existed since the French Revolution. Answer: c; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 196 True/False 1. Judges in Europe are typically elected to office. Answer: False; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 182 and p. 192 2. France’s current constitution was adopted after World War II. Answer: True; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 183 3. The U.S. Constitution is longer than most European constitutions. Answer: False; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 183 4. Eastern European countries are not federal because most are not very ethnically diverse. Answer: False; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: p. 187-188 5. Devolution in Britain has taken powers away from the House of Lords. Answer: False; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 188 6. Padania is a region of Spain that is clamoring for independence. Answer: False; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 188 7. European governments can be sued in the European Court of Justice. Answer: True; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 191 8. The European Court of Justice functions as a supranational institution Answer: True; Skill level: Application; Page reference: p. 191 9. The ombudsman helps prevent abuse of power by the government. Answer: True; Skill level: Understanding; Page reference: p. 193 10. Judicial review is conducted differently in France and Germany. True Analysis pp. 193–196 Answer: True; Skill level: Analysis; Page reference: pp. 193-196 Essay Questions 1. What are the advantages and disadvantages of judicial review? 2. Why has separatism emerged in several European countries? Be able to give examples to complement your analysis. 3. Why might federalism be advantageous? Can you think of disadvantages of federalism? 4. Describe how judicial review differs in France and Germany. In which country is the Constitutional Court more powerful? Why? 5. What is the relationship among national law, national courts, EU law, and the European Court of Justice?