SAMPLE ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Briefly define political socialization. Compare and contrast the political socialization process in China to the political socialization process in Mexico
2. Compare the influence of social class on contemporary politics in Britain and in France. For both countries, include a discussion of voting behavior and political parties
3. Mexico has formal procedures for leadership transition. Identify and analyze a leaderdhip transition that has orrured in Mexico in the last 25 years. Your answer should include a description of the formal procedures for leadership transition and an analysis of two factors that contributed to the success or failure of the transition you have chosen

EXAM OUTLINE

Free Response

1. An inter-country comparative question that involves a comparison between two "core" countries (Britain, France, China, Russia).
2. An inter-country comparative question that may involve a comparison between at least one core country and the developing country the candidate has studied (India, Mexico, or Nigeria).
3. An intra-country comparative question that deals with one core country only. Generally, candidates will be required to analyze one case study or to evaluate how a general principle of comparative government and politics applies to one core country.
4. An intra-country comparative question that focuses on the developing countries, and allows candidates to choose from among India, Mexico, or Nigeria.

• The free-response section will consist of four mandatory questions.
• Students will have 100 minutes to answer all four questions
• Suggested time per question will be 25 minutes.
• Each question will account for 25% of the total score on the free response section of the exam.

Multiple Choice

• 60 Questions Multiple Choice in 45 minutes