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AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Quiz: Sustaining Legitimacy

Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026

Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 12 questions to check your progress.

Question 1 of 12

According to the provided text, which of the following is a factor through which governments maintain legitimacy?

All Questions (12)

According to the provided text, which of the following is a factor through which governments maintain legitimacy?

A) Increased electoral competition

B) Charismatic leadership

C) Exacerbating ethnic tensions

D) Complicated policy implementation

Correct Answer: B

The text explicitly lists charismatic leadership as one of the factors, alongside policy effectiveness, political efficacy, tradition, and institutionalized laws, that governments use to maintain legitimacy.

A government that successfully mediates a long-standing internal dispute, leading to a peaceful resolution, is taking an action that would most likely:

A) Undermine legitimacy through policy innovation

B) Weaken legitimacy by increasing political participation

C) Reinforce legitimacy

D) Create contradictory policies

Correct Answer: C

The text states that the 'peaceful resolution of conflicts' is a factor that can reinforce a government's legitimacy.

Which of the following scenarios would most likely undermine a government's legitimacy?

A) A smooth and peaceful transfer of power after a national election.

B) A period of sustained economic development and growth.

C) A major corruption scandal involving high-level government officials.

D) The establishment of new, institutionalized laws.

Correct Answer: C

The text identifies an 'increase in corruption' as a key factor that can undermine legitimacy. A major scandal would fall into this category.

A central government's decision to devolve power to regional governments can enhance legitimacy by:

A) Increasing competition for resources between regions.

B) Making policy implementation more complicated and inefficient.

C) Allowing for better representation of religious or ethnic minority groups.

D) Creating contradictory policies at the national and local levels.

Correct Answer: C

The text lists 'allowing better representation of religious/ethnic/minority groups' as one of the ways devolution can enhance legitimacy and resolve social, political, and economic issues.

Which of the following represents a potential obstacle or negative consequence of delegating power to regional governments?

A) Promoting policy innovation and competition.

B) Increasing political participation at the local level.

C) Checking the power of the central government.

D) Exacerbating ethnic and local tensions.

Correct Answer: D

The text explicitly states that devolution can weaken legitimacy by 'exacerbating ethnic and local tensions,' which is a potential obstacle to resolving issues.

Widespread public protests erupt after an election, with citizens citing evidence of vote-tampering. According to the text, this situation directly threatens legitimacy by:

A) Reducing governmental corruption.

B) Promoting policy innovation.

C) Raising questions about the integrity of election results.

D) Encouraging a peaceful transfer of power.

Correct Answer: C

The text states that 'Questions about the integrity of election results...can lead to protests that may weaken legitimacy.' The scenario describes this exact situation.

A country devolves significant power to its provinces. While this allows policies to be better matched to local needs, it also leads to major economic inequality between wealthier and poorer provinces. This scenario illustrates that devolution can:

A) Only enhance legitimacy by checking central power.

B) Create both opportunities for and obstacles to resolving issues.

C) Always lead to a peaceful resolution of conflicts.

D) Primarily function to reduce governmental corruption.

Correct Answer: B

This scenario shows both a positive outcome ('matching policies to local needs') and a negative one ('allowing inequality between regions'), demonstrating the dual nature of devolution in creating both 'opportunities for and obstacles to' resolving issues, which can enhance or weaken legitimacy.

All of the following are listed as factors that can reinforce legitimacy EXCEPT:

A) Reduced governmental corruption

B) Reduced electoral competition

C) Economic development

D) Peaceful transfer of power

Correct Answer: B

The text lists reduced governmental corruption, economic development, and peaceful transfer of power as factors that reinforce legitimacy. Reduced electoral competition is cited as a factor that can undermine legitimacy.

A government's legitimacy is most likely to be undermined when it faces:

A) A combination of a poor economy and social conflicts.

B) A tradition of charismatic leadership.

C) An increase in political participation due to devolution.

D) The peaceful resolution of a border dispute.

Correct Answer: A

The provided content explicitly states that 'serious problems (such as a poor economy or social conflicts) can all undermine legitimacy.'

A government that relies on long-standing cultural norms and historical practices to justify its rule is maintaining legitimacy primarily through:

A) Policy effectiveness

B) Political efficacy

C) Tradition

D) Devolution

Correct Answer: C

The text identifies 'tradition' as one of the key factors or processes through which governments maintain legitimacy. Relying on historical norms and practices is the definition of using tradition.

Which of the following best explains the potential contradiction in using devolution to sustain legitimacy?

A) While it can increase political efficacy, it always reduces policy effectiveness.

B) It can reduce corruption at the central level but increases it at the regional level.

C) It is designed to promote economic development, but it always leads to social conflict.

D) While it can increase representation and check central power, it can also create policy inefficiencies and regional inequalities.

Correct Answer: D

The text outlines the dual nature of devolution. It can enhance legitimacy by 'checking central power' and 'allowing better representation,' but it can also weaken it by 'making policy implementation more complicated and inefficient' and 'allowing inequality between regions.' This option best captures that contradiction.

A government that consistently delivers on its promises, such as improving infrastructure and lowering unemployment, is strengthening its legitimacy through:

A) Reduced electoral competition

B) Policy effectiveness

C) Exacerbating local tensions

D) Charismatic leadership

Correct Answer: B

The text lists 'policy effectiveness' as a primary way governments maintain legitimacy. Successfully implementing policies that improve citizens' lives is a direct example of policy effectiveness.