Who is Nigeria's head of state?
President
Describe Nigerian society?
Religious diversity, ethnic diversity, linguistic diversity
Why does Nigeria still have problems providing social services even though it has large oil reserves?
Massive corruption limits the amount of resources redistributed by the government to the people.
What part of Nigeria adheres to Shari'ah law?
Northern region
What is the difference between a Shi’ite Muslim and a Sunni Muslim?
Shiites – only descendants of the Prophet Mohammed are his rightful successors.
Describe Iranian political culture?
It values the community’s welfare above individual rights
How does Iranian history differ from other nations in the same region?
It was never formally colonized by the European powers
Who carried out the ouster of Mohammed Mossadegh in 1953?
The U.S. and Great Britain
Who was Ayatollah Khomeini?
The leader who led the popular Iranian revolution in 1979
What was the political effect of Iran’s war with Iraq in 1980?
Allowing the Islamists to consolidate their power
What happens to the needs of a people in a rentier state such as Iran?
Respond to the demands of citizens who would otherwise provide the state’s financial support
Who selects the president of Iran?
Popular Election every 4 years (Candidates are vetted by the Guardian Council)
What factors limit the power of the Maijles (legislature)?
It is a unicameral legislature that is elected by universal suffrage.
What is the major function of the Expediency Council?
To advise the leader when pragmatic considerations, rather than Islam, should guide policy
What do citizens have to abide by if they want freedom of speech, association, and person?
Their activities are “within the criteria of Islam.”
Why did the reform movement in Iran stall in 2004?
The Council of guardians disallowed 2,000 of the reform candidates.
What type of role does religion and religious practice play in the political socialization of the people of Iran?
A divisive role. Most of political socialization occurs primarily through state-controlled educational system and the military
List some of the non-associational groups found in Iran?
Bazaar merchants, war veterans, families of martyrs, and citizens disabled in the Iran-Iraq war
What has been the greatest achievement of the Iranian state?
Improvements in the lot of the poor in their country.
What is the status of Iran with the international community?
It has been isolated because of its support of groups like Hizballah in Lebanon, its anti-Western policies, and its nuclear program
Describe the role of women in politics in a developing nation?
Traditional cultural values often preclude women from participating in politics.
Describe the middle class in Iran?
The middle class in Iran is culturally westernized and often hostile to the clergy.
Who is the head of the judiciary in Iran?
Appointed by the Supreme Leader
Who has veto power over the legislation passed by the Islamic Consultative assembly?
The Guardian Council and the Supreme Leader
What is the best description of characterization of the Iranian Revolution in 1979?
A short, relatively nonviolent upheaval supported by the middle class
Describe Iran’s Islamic republic?
A unitary government with a dual executive whose prerogatives and responsibilities are specified in the Consitution.
What are the two most powerful policy-making institutions in Iran?
The Islamic Consultative Assembly (maijles) and the Guardian Council
What part of the Iranian constitution was amended after the death of Khomeini?
Change the selection criteria for Supreme Leader
How did the Iranian Revolution of 1979 resemble the Chinese revolution of Mao Tse Dong?
The leaders of both revolutions personified charismatic authority.
Describe democratic consolidation?
That both elites and nonelites be committed to democratization in spite of difficulties
What is a rentier state?
The economy is heavily supported by state expenditure, while the state receives rent from other countries.
What institutional arrangements are shared by Iran and China?
A national assembly with only limited powers to oversee the executive and enact laws
What is the best indicator for a successful transition of power to democracy?
Political actors accept electoral competition, citizen participation, and rule of law.
What policies were used by China and Nigeria to lessen ethnic tensions?
Allow national government exemptions and quotas for ethnic minorities
What is the difference between a political party and an interest group?
Political parties, nominate and run candidates for office, while interest groups do not.
What is the most common strategy used by developing countries to deal with the problem of population growth?
Establishing policies that seek to reduce fertility rates
Define the term “failed state”?
A state in which law and order persistently breaks down (Nigeria is sometimes considered a failed state)
Define the concept of nation?
Population with common historical, ethnic, linguistic, and or/religious bonds
Define a corporatist economic system?
A type of system in which its economic policy is negotiated among government, labor, and industry
Which type of government or regime has had the greatest increase worldwide since 1970?
democratic
Who were the colonial rulers of Nigeria?
British
Where does the name “Nigeria” come from?
river
What is meant by “indirect rule”?
Supported the rule of traditional leaders
Who are the Hausa, the Yoruba, and the Igbo?
Tribes – Hausa in the north, the Yoruba in the West, Igbo in the East
Why were the Portuguese and the British interested in West Africa?
slaves
Where does political recruitment usually occur in Nigeria?
The military
What is definition of the “dependency ratio”?
The proportion of non-working population to working population
What types of groups (from chapters 1-7) have the most influence in Nigeria?
Religious and ethnic groups
What groups dominate the southern and northern parts of Nigeria?
Islamic in north, Christians in south
What is the definition of clientelism?
patronage
What is the primary agent of socialization in Nigeria?
The family
What is the official language of Nigeria?
There is no official language
Describe the judiciary in Nigeria.
Surprisingly independent
What is the organization base of most of the political parties in Nigeria?
Ethnic and regional
What key factor(s) are used to organize a political party in Nigeria?
Personalities and powerful individuals
Describe the democratization process of Nigeria.
Process interrupted by frequent military intervention
Why are there a small number of industries concentrated in a few major cities in Nigeria?
Ethnic politics, whereby political decisions override entrepreneurial preferences
Who is Nigeria’s head of state?
President
Describe Nigerian society?
Religious diversity, ethnic diversity, linguistic diversity
Why does Nigeria still have problems providing social services even though it has large oil reserves?
Massive corruption limits the amount of resources redistributed by the government to the people.
What part of Nigeria adheres to Shari’ah law?
Northern region