Patterns of Local & Regional Governance
AP Human Geography · Learn by Concept
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AP Human Geography › Patterns of Local & Regional Governance
The Electoral College is used to determine __________.
the U.S. Presidency
representation in the U.S. Senate
which country will lead the United Nations each year
the members of the United Nations Security Council
taxation rates for different income levels in the United States
Explanation
The Electoral College is an institution that is unique to the United States of America. When citizens vote in an American presidential election, they are actually voting for who they want the electors from their state to cast their votes for. In almost every state, the candidate who receives the most votes will garner the entirety of the electoral college votes for that state. It is used to determine the U.S. Presidency.
Why is “Gerrymandering” often controversial?
It allows politicians to draw up voting districts to serve their own electoral interests.
It allows the Federal government to spy on the private lives of American citizens.
It enables immigrants into America to settle illegally and still receive social welfare benefits.
It forces immigrants to assimilate quickly into American society or be forcibly deported.
It encourages interstate conflict by providing unequal shares of federal taxes to the various states.
Explanation
The term “gerrymandering” is used to refer to the re-structuring of electoral districts so as to provide a benefit to one group over another. It is so often controversial because it allows politicians, or a political party, to draw up voting districts that ensure they will receive the majority of the vote for that district.
Which of the following best describes the definition of reapportionment?
The process of redistributing electoral seats to various states based on the results of the census
The process by which new states can apply for membership in an existing international or supranational organization
The process by which electors in the electoral college vote for the candidate who garnered the highest proportion of the votes in the electors’ state
The process by which two states may peacefully resolve a border dispute through international arbitration
None of the other answers is correct
Explanation
Every ten years in the United States, the government conducts a census, or a survey of the population. The census determines how much representation each state will get in the House of Representatives. The process by which representation is reallocated to the various states is called “reapportionment.”
Which of these descriptions best matches an “anocracy”?
A system of government where elements of democracy and autocracy are employed
A system of government designed to give preferential status to one ethnicity over another
An absence of government and the rule of law
A system of laws based on religious doctrine
None of the other answers is correct
Explanation
An “anocracy” is a system of government that combines elements of democracy and autocracy, often in confusing or chaotic fashion. An “anocracy” is usually highly unstable and inefficient.
Which of these cities is an example of a forward-thrust capital?
Brasilia, Brazil
London, the United Kingdom
Lisbon, Portugal
Montevideo, Uruguay
Tehran, Iran
Explanation
A “forward-thrust capital” is a capital city that has been re-located from one region (Rio de Janeiro) to another region (Brasilia) in order for the government to accomplish some goal.
There are many different forms of government throughout the world. Within each form of government there can be sub-forms as well. For example, there are many different types of democratic governments in the world, all of which have the power rest on the people, but in different ways. Theocratic is one form of government that is often mixed with a monarchy or dictatorship in certain countries.
Which of the following is an example of a theocratic government?
The Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran
The Landlocked government of Lesotho
King Henry the 8th's rule over England
Nazi Germany
Ivan the Terrible's rule over Russia
Explanation
A Theocratic government is one that holds a diety, or god, as where all authority comes from.
The Ayatollah Khomeini in Iran held Khomeini as a religious leader ruling of the Islamic Republic of Iran throughout most of the 20th century. The ultimate power of the Khomeini's came from Allah, according to the beliefs of the country. The ruler was a religious authoritarian.
The Landlocked government of Lesotho has a constitutional monarchy form of government. While this country is landlocked, that is not a form of government.
King Henry the 8th's rule over England was a Monarchy which took over the authority of the Church, becoming supreme over the Church's powers. This, in many ways, is the opposite of a theocratic government.
Nazi Germany was a dictatorship under the rule of Adolf Hitler. Though Hitler cited religious and ethnic supremacy over the Jews, his government was not theocratic as he did not rule the power any god as having authority. Hitler was the supreme authority under his Nazi regime.
Ivan the Terrible's rule over Russia was essentially a monarchy, that turned more into a dictatorship. Ivan created a centrally controlled government and named himself the Tsar of Russia.