SAQ Unit 4
1. Electoral Systems (Majoritarian, Proportional, Mixed)
A. Define a majoritarian electoral system and explain how it impacts representation in a legislature.
B. Identify one country that uses a proportional representation electoral system and explain how it influences the political party system.
C. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of a mixed electoral system in comparison to purely majoritarian or proportional systems.
2. Political Parties and Interest Groups
A. Explain one difference between political parties and interest groups in how they influence government policy.
B. Identify one strategy interest groups use to influence policy in democratic regimes and one strategy used in authoritarian regimes.
C. Explain how a multi-party system impacts coalition-building in a parliamentary system.
3. Impact of Authoritarian and Democratic Regimes on Political Participation
A. Describe one way authoritarian regimes attempt to limit political participation.
B. Explain how democratic regimes encourage higher levels of political participation.
C. Provide an example of a country where citizens have used protests or civil disobedience to challenge authoritarian rule, and briefly explain the outcome.
4. Case Study Comparisons of Party Systems and Voter Engagement
A. Identify and describe one difference between the party system in the United Kingdom and the party system in Russia.
B. Explain how voter turnout is affected by electoral rules in one of the following countries: Mexico, Nigeria, or Iran.
C. Describe how social movements or political protests have influenced elections in one case study country.
5. Political and Economic Changes and Development
A. Define economic liberalization and explain how it has impacted one of the following countries: China, Russia, or Mexico.
B. Describe one political consequence of economic inequality in a democratic system.
C. Explain how globalization has influenced domestic economic policies in one comparative case study country.
6. Trends in Democratization and Authoritarian Resilience
A. Define democratization and explain one factor that contributes to it.
B. Describe one way authoritarian regimes maintain control despite pressures for democratization.
C. Provide an example of a country that has experienced democratic backsliding, and explain one political factor that contributed to this process.
These SAQs encourage students to apply comparative analysis across case study countries while addressing key course concepts. Let me know if you’d like any refinements!
1. Electoral Systems (Majoritarian, Proportional, Mixed)
A. Define a majoritarian electoral system and explain how it impacts representation in a legislature.
B. Identify one country that uses a proportional representation electoral system and explain how it influences the political party system.
C. Describe one advantage and one disadvantage of a mixed electoral system in comparison to purely majoritarian or proportional systems.
2. Political Parties and Interest Groups
A. Explain one difference between political parties and interest groups in how they influence government policy.
B. Identify one strategy interest groups use to influence policy in democratic regimes and one strategy used in authoritarian regimes.
C. Explain how a multi-party system impacts coalition-building in a parliamentary system.
3. Impact of Authoritarian and Democratic Regimes on Political Participation
A. Describe one way authoritarian regimes attempt to limit political participation.
B. Explain how democratic regimes encourage higher levels of political participation.
C. Provide an example of a country where citizens have used protests or civil disobedience to challenge authoritarian rule, and briefly explain the outcome.
4. Case Study Comparisons of Party Systems and Voter Engagement
A. Identify and describe one difference between the party system in the United Kingdom and the party system in Russia.
B. Explain how voter turnout is affected by electoral rules in one of the following countries: Mexico, Nigeria, or Iran.
C. Describe how social movements or political protests have influenced elections in one case study country.
5. Political and Economic Changes and Development
A. Define economic liberalization and explain how it has impacted one of the following countries: China, Russia, or Mexico.
B. Describe one political consequence of economic inequality in a democratic system.
C. Explain how globalization has influenced domestic economic policies in one comparative case study country.
6. Trends in Democratization and Authoritarian Resilience
A. Define democratization and explain one factor that contributes to it.
B. Describe one way authoritarian regimes maintain control despite pressures for democratization.
C. Provide an example of a country that has experienced democratic backsliding, and explain one political factor that contributed to this process.
These SAQs encourage students to apply comparative analysis across case study countries while addressing key course concepts. Let me know if you’d like any refinements!