AP Comparative Government and Politics Practice Quiz: Political Party Systems
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Test your understanding with short quizzes. This quiz has 15 questions to check your progress.
Question 1 of 15
All Questions (15)
A) To compete with the Communist Party for governing power.
B) To broaden discussion and serve in a consultative capacity.
C) To represent regional interests at the subnational level.
D) To form coalition governments with the Communist Party.
Correct Answer: B
The provided content states that China allows eight other parties to exist 'to broaden discussion and consultation,' not to compete for power.
A) Privatizing state-owned corporations to increase patronage.
B) Eliminating el dedazo to centralize candidate selection.
C) Using selective court decisions to disqualify candidates.
D) Establishing a strong, independent national electoral institute.
Correct Answer: C
The text explicitly lists 'using selective court decisions to disqualify candidates' as one of the rules ensuring one-party dominance in Russia. The other options are related to Mexico's transition away from one-party rule.
A) Increase the threshold for parties to gain access to the ballot.
B) Centralize power at the national level.
C) Facilitate the transition away from one-party dominance.
D) Ensure the dominance of a catch-all political party.
Correct Answer: C
The content identifies 'establishing and strengthening the National Electoral Institute (IFE)' as a key rule that facilitated Mexico's transition away from one-party dominance.
A) A dominant party
B) A regional party
C) A catch-all party
D) A consultative party
Correct Answer: C
The text defines 'Catch-all political parties' as those that 'can earn support from groups with different characteristics, attracting popular support with ideologically diverse platforms.'
A) The UK has only one dominant party, while Nigeria has many competing parties.
B) The UK's system is dominated by two major parties with some regional party representation, while Nigeria's system has two strong parties and a third with some success among 30 registered parties.
C) Nigeria uses a first-past-the-post system that favors major parties, while the UK does not.
D) The UK has strict party discipline, while Nigerian parties have none.
Correct Answer: B
The text describes the UK as having competition 'primarily between two major parties' (Conservative and Labour) with minor regional parties, and Nigeria as having 'two strong parties' (PDP and APC) and a third successful party out of 30 registered ones. This makes B the most accurate comparison.
A) China legally allows only one party to exist, while Russia allows multiple parties to compete freely.
B) China's system explicitly allows only one party to hold governing power, while Russia uses various rules to ensure the dominance of one party in a technically multiparty system.
C) Russia's dominant party values centralism and order, while China's Communist Party values decentralization.
D) China has eliminated gubernatorial elections to maintain control, while Russia has not.
Correct Answer: B
The text states China has rules that 'allow only one party, the Communist Party of China, to control governing power.' For Russia, it lists rules that 'ensur[e] one-party dominance,' implying other parties exist but are systematically disadvantaged. This contrast is captured in option B.
A) A multiparty system with strong regional representation.
B) A two-party system similar to the United Kingdom.
C) A one-party dominant system.
D) A system with a weak legislature and no party discipline.
Correct Answer: C
The text lists the elimination of 'el dedazo' as one of the rules that facilitated Mexico's 'transition away from one-party dominance,' indicating it was a feature of the former one-party dominant system.
A) the decentralization of power to subnational levels.
B) the competition among dozens of registered political parties.
C) the lack of ideological platforms in catch-all parties.
D) strict party discipline that guides voting.
Correct Answer: D
The content explicitly states that the UK's House of Commons is 'highly organized by political parties, with voting based on strict party discipline that influences policy making.'
A) Decentralizing power to give more autonomy to regional governments.
B) Lowering the vote threshold required for a party to gain representation in the legislature.
C) Passing a law that makes it more difficult for new political parties to register for elections.
D) Privatizing state-owned media to allow for more diverse political viewpoints.
Correct Answer: C
The text lists 'increasing party registration requirements' as a rule used to ensure one-party dominance in Russia. Making it more difficult for new parties to register is a direct application of this principle.
A) The People's Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress.
B) The Communist Party and the eight consultative parties.
C) The Conservative and Labour parties.
D) There are no primary competing parties mentioned for the UK.
Correct Answer: C
The text states that the UK's party system 'features competition primarily between two major parties, the Conservative and Labour parties.' The parties in option A are from Nigeria.
A) increasing the power of the central government to select candidates.
B) reducing the resources available for political patronage.
C) limiting media access for opposition viewpoints.
D) strengthening the values of centralism and order.
Correct Answer: B
The text links the privatization of state-owned corporations to a 'decrease [in] patronage.' Patronage is a key tool for a dominant party to maintain power. Therefore, these reforms undermined dominance by reducing the resources available for it.
A) They ensure that minor parties receive proportional representation.
B) They favor the major parties, the Conservatives and Labour.
C) They have been eliminated to allow for a multiparty system.
D) They help third parties gain a degree of electoral success.
Correct Answer: B
The provided content explicitly mentions that the UK has 'first-past-the-post election rules favoring the major parties.'
A) China
B) Russia
C) Mexico
D) Nigeria
Correct Answer: D
The text specifically describes Nigeria's system in these terms: 'Nigeria’s multiparty system includes 30 registered political parties, with two strong parties... and a third party having a degree of electoral success.'
A) The elimination of el dedazo.
B) The privatization of state-owned corporations.
C) The decentralizing of power at the subnational level.
D) The strengthening of the National Electoral Institute.
Correct Answer: C
Centralism is the concentration of power and control in a central authority. The text states that Mexico's reforms included 'decentralizing and reducing one-party power at the subnational level,' which is the direct opposite of centralism.
A) Both are dominated by a single political party.
B) Both have competition primarily between two strong or major parties.
C) Both have rules that legally ban all but a few parties from running for office.
D) Both have weak party discipline in their legislatures.
Correct Answer: B
The text describes the UK as having 'competition primarily between two major parties' and Nigeria as having 'two strong parties.' This is a shared characteristic, even though the overall systems have other differences.