Venezuela is an ethnically heterogeneous country with a presidential system and a level of wealth that has been fluctuating above and below a per capita income level of $6,055 PPP USD. Although it has one of the longest records of democratic rule in Latin America, the democratic system has become increasingly fragile in recent years (indeed, many would argue that it is no longer democratic). In recent years the degree of party fractionalization in the legislature has increased and national income has fallen. In a sentence or two, what have you learned in this class that might explain the increasing fragility of democratic rule in Venezuela?
What will be an ideal response?
Poorer countries more likely to experience transitions to autocracy, particularly if they have a presidential system with a multiparty legislature.
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Which of the following would be sufficient to constitute a change in the structure of the international system, as defined by Waltz?
a. the emergence of a new international organization, such as the United Nations, that contains all states as members b. an increase in the number of great powers in the system from two to four c. the demise of several states in the system d. the system's four great powers forming two large alliances e. a significant increase in trade dependence among states in the system
Under the system of federalism, __________.
A. only the federal government has exclusive powers B. only state governments have exclusive powers C. power is unlikely to be concentrated in one level of government D. only state governments act directly upon the people