Facts to Remember
1. Most Different System is a solution to the problem of selection on the DV
2. Most Similar System is a solution to the “too many variables too few cases” problem.
3. The larger the district magnitude, the more responsive the system
4. Judges of constitutional courts are appointed for long tenures
5. Plurality means poorer representation of minorities, the system favors larger parties.
6. Membership of protective interest groups is closed; promotional groups is open
7. Military coups are always illegal, but not always violent
8. Committee based legislatures place emphasis on debate.
9. A vote of confidence is when the legislature votes that they support the current
government.
10. In Duverger’s Law, the independent variable is the electoral system, and the
dependent variable is the structure of the party system. (Majoritarian ES => 2 party
system)
11. Corporatism as a system of interest group representation privileges peak interest
groups and organizations.
12. Primaries broaden the selectorate
13. Constitutional courts make judgements on abstract cases.
14. In the single party system, no other parties than the ruling one are allowed to
exist.
15. Authority of an official - Legitimacy of a regime
16. In parliamentary systems, the executive is collegial- meaning that the cabinet also
has a crucial role, rather than only the prime minister (head of government)
17. In semi-presidential systems, the president is the head of state, and the prime
minister is the head of government.
18. Protective interest groups are concerned with a specific interest, promotional
groups with a specific cause or issue.
19. In plurality systems, when parties' votes are dispersed across the country it’s
more difficult for them to win.
20. Political regime is the interaction and organizations through which society
reaches and enforces collective decisions.
21. Constitutional courts can only look at constitutionality, while Supreme courts can
look at more.