The variant includes 30 tasks, 19 of which are entry-level tasks with one correct answer (a
correctly completed task is 2 points), 8 are intermediate-level tasks with several correct answers
(a correctly completed task is 4 points), 3 are high-level tasks with a detailed answer (the
correctly completed task is 10 points).
1. Political sciences
In state A, the rights and freedoms of citizens are the highest value. There is mutual responsibility between the state and citizens. There are independent mass media, and several parties actively participate in the political life of the country. What type of political regime does country A have?
a) Authoritarian b) Dictatorship c) Democratic d) Totalitarian Entry level (1 point)
What is a criterion of any kind of state?
a) The rule of law b) Elected supreme authorities c) Sovereignty d) Multiparty system Entry level (1 point)
The ability and capacity of an individual or group in society to bend others to their will is ....
a) Socialization b) Power c) Politics d) Prestige Entry level (1 point)
One of the functions of a political party in a democratic society is
a) to engage in political struggle b) to control the private lives of voters c) to set prices for goods and services d) owning of real estate and shares in businesses Entry level (1 point)
Select the manifestations of the institutions of civil society from the list below. (Write your answer in letters without spaces)
a) The Interregional Union of Truck Drivers has taken the initiative to re-locate warehouses and parking lots near the metropolitan area. b) A competition for the production of a series of feature films on civic identity building has been launched by the Ministry of Press and Information. c) The human rights organization "Freedom of Speech" spoke in support of journalists and proposed the adoption of laws to guarantee the safety of their work. d) On its information portal, the Association of Creative Teachers has launched a project to provide guidance to young teachers. e) The Investigative Committee of Russia accepted for consideration the case of assault on a prominent journalist. f) The President of the country has initiated the establishment of a new innovative science and technology center in Skolkovo, near Moscow. Intermediate level (4 points)
Match the forms of government with the classification criteria that distinguish them. For each item in the first column, match the corresponding item in the second column. Write down the answer in numbers without spaces according to the given order.
FORM OF GOVERNMENT
CLASSIFICATION CRITERIA
a) Federation
1) Political regime
b) Democracy
2) Form of areal distribution of power
c) Authoritarian
3) System of ruling
d) Unitary
e) Republic
Answer: 21123
Intermediate level (5 points)
Read the quotation and write an essay of up to 500 words. In the essay, you should identify the author's idea (or how you understand it), argue "for" and/or "against" that idea (only the argument will be graded, not the position chosen), and illustrate your argument with examples. You will receive extra credit for bringing in theoretical knowledge and references to famous political scientists and political thinkers.
Quotation: “The chief evil is unlimited government” (Friedrich Hayek).
Evaluation criteria:
Criterion 1: The meaning of the question is revealed – 3 points.Criterion 2: There are concepts and terms with explanations – 3 points.Criterion 3: Logic and quality of argumentation – 3 points.Criterion 4: Correct examples are present – 3 points.Criterion 5: Quality of written language – 3 points.
Advanced level (15 points)
2. International relations
The system of international relations that emerged after the end of World War II is called
a) Yalta-Potsdam b) Nuremberg c) Tehran-Yalta d) Versailles-Washington Entry level (1 point)
What term was used during the Cold War (1945-1991) in relation to the USA and the USSR?
a) superpower b) world tiger c) hegemon d) military bloc Entry level (1 point)
The international agreement concluded to reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the Earth's atmosphere to counter global warming is called
a) Kyoto Protocol b) Beijing Protocol c) Bangkok Protocol d) Delhi Protocol Entry level (1 point)
What is "soft power"?
a) the use of economic sanctions to force other countries to cooperate b) the ability of a state to force other countries to follow its policies through propaganda and disinformation c) the ability to influence other states and achieve desired results through cooperation and building a positive image of the influencing side d) the use of military power to intimidate and achieve political goals Entry level (1 point)
Establish the correct sequence of events in the period between World War I and World War II. (Write your answer in numbers without spaces)
Signing of the Treaty of Versailles
Creation of the USSR
The Great Depression
Hitler's rise to power in Germany
Answer: 1234
Intermediate level (4 points)
Scientific field 3. International relations and Regional Studies
The majority of the Maghreb population professes
a) Islam b) Christianity c) Judaism d) Shamanism Entry level (1 point)
For historical and economic reasons, France's foreign policy interests include:
a) Antarctica b) Australia c) Quebec d) Vatican City Entry level (1 point)
The monarchy in the European region is:
a) Italy b) Monaco c) Finland d) Poland Entry level (1 point)
Which federal subject does not exist in the Russian Federation?
a) Moscow region b) Republic of Tatarstan c) State of Florida d) Perm region Entry level (1 point)
Select the largest ethnic group in Russia:
a) Tatars b) Germans c) Russians d) Chinese Entry level (1 point)
Which of the organizations/associations are integrative? (Write your answer in letters without spaces)
a) IAEA b) UN c) EU d) MERCOSUR e) UNESCO Intermediate level (4 points)
Which of these conflicts relate to the Europe region? (Write your answer in letters without spaces)
a) Quebec b) Northern Cyprus c) Kosovo d) Palestine e) Taiwan Intermediate level (4 points)
Task 8 - Advanced level (15 points)
There is a description of the case below. Read the description carefully and complete the assignment in writing, up to 350 words.
Case: "Liberation of India: The Struggle for Independence and Consequences"
Read the commentary on the historical situation from the international field and give detailed answers to the questions presented to it.
Description of the situation:
Tasks:
Analyze the major factors that contributed to India's struggle for independence.
Assess the consequences of the liberation of India for its political, social, and economic life.
Consider the impact of Indian liberation on international relations.
Draw conclusions about the significance of the liberation of India for the history of the world and the development of Indian civilization.
Sample Answer:
In 1947, India gained independence from the British Empire, the result of a long struggle for liberation.
Factors that contributed to the struggle for independence: Consequences of the liberation of India: Impact on international relations: Significance for the world:
Evaluation criteria:
Criterion 1: The meaning of the question/task is revealed – 3 points.
Criterion 2: There are concepts and terms with explanations – 3 points.
Criterion 3: Logic and correctness of argumentation – 3 points.
Criterion 4: Correct examples are present – 3 points.
Criterion 5: Quality of written language – 3 points.
4. Public administration
What is a public administration system carried out by a special apparatus consisting of professional officials acting within the framework of instructions?
a) Legislature b) Bureaucracy c) Army d) Church Entry level (1 point)
Federalism does NOT have the following characteristics:
a) Bicameral Parliament b) Legislative powers of regions c) 100% budget belongs to the subjects of the federation d) Independent administration of budgets by the subjects of the federation Entry level (1 point)
Choose the correct judgments about the state and write down the letters under which they are indicated without spaces.
a) This is a form of legitimate violence in a certain territory b) This is a form of appropriation of goods through coercion c) This is an active subject of politics d) This is a legal normative order e) This is a specific form of implementation of the idea of a private good Intermediate level (4 points)
Statutory or administrative law now rules on the hours of work, the conditions of safety in the work-place and in the home, the behavior of citizens on the roads. Schools and universities are subject to more and more decisions taken in ministries of education. Planning officials have to be consulted before the smallest building is started or a tree is cut down. The government inspector … has become a familiar and even fearful figure. (S. Strange, 2000)
1. What problems does this quotation indicate?
The quotation highlights the expansion of state control into various aspects of daily life. It points to the increasing presence of statutory and administrative laws regulating work hours, safety conditions, road behavior, and educational institutions. This signifies a broader trend of state intervention in both public and private spheres, leading to a more pervasive regulatory environment. This expansion may lead to concerns about personal freedoms and the extent of government oversight in individuals' lives.
2. What are the functions of a modern state?
Modern states typically perform several key functions:
Redistributive Function: This involves transferring resources between groups to address social inequalities and providing public goods (e.g., elementary education, public transportation, public health care). These services are financed through taxation, borrowing, and state spending.Stabilization Function: The state manages economic stability by influencing employment, inflation, and interest rates. This is achieved through industrial and labor policies, as well as fiscal and monetary policies.Regulatory Function: This function includes setting rules for market operations, defining standards and procedures, and regulating social, economic, and political engagement. The state creates a framework for market participation and ensures compliance with established norms.
3. How is financing of the regulatory function of the state ensured?
The regulatory function's financing is primarily indirect. While the creation and implementation of regulations involve costs related to rule-making and administrative efforts, the actual financial burden is borne by those who must comply with these regulations. This includes businesses and individuals who adapt their operations and behaviors to meet regulatory standards. The administrative costs associated with regulatory programs are absorbed by government bodies, which may see increased expenditure due to the rising complexity of regulations and the need for more oversight. New public management and smart regulation approaches aim to manage these costs effectively.
5. Asian studies
Which of the following events is key to the beginning of the process of decolonization in Asia and Africa?
a) World War II b) Cold War c) Industrial Revolution d) Discovery of America Entry level (1 point)
Which historical period is considered the “Golden Age” of Islamic civilization?
a) VII-IX centuries b) VIII-XIII centuries c) XIII-XIV centuries d) XV-XVI centuries Entry level (1 point)
Which of the following personalities is considered to be the founder of the school of Zen Buddhism?
a) Shakyamuni Buddha b) Bodhidharma c) Nagarjuna d) Mahakashyapa Entry level (1 point)
Which of the following factors are the main drivers of Indian economic growth in recent decades? (Write answer in letters without spaces)
a) Development of the IT sector b) Increase in the number of people employed in agriculture c) Attracting foreign investment d) Shadow economy e) Export of goods and services f) Regional development Intermediate level (4 points)
