Deck 15: Authority and the State

Question 1

In 1961,Stanley Milgram devised an experiment to measure:

A) domination as a "special case of power."
B) how far ordinary people would go in obeying an authority figure.
C) how honor and shame shape people's choices.
D) the paradox of authority.

Answer 1

B

Question 2

In the 1970s,a man by the name of Jim Jones persuaded 900 people to commit suicide in Guyana.He was the leader of the Peoples Temple,and his personal appeal allowed him to have this power over his followers.Weber would call this ________ authority.

A) political
B) charismatic
C) traditional
D) rational

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Organizations ruled by traditional authority run into problems when a situation occurs:

A) for which the first leader did not set a precedent.
B) in which the leader disagrees with his or her followers.
C) that could result in the leader making an irrational decision.
D) where the new leader disagrees with former leaders.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following is a characteristic of a bureaucracy?

A) individualistic and flexible
B) usually unfair
C) has positions that are highly specialized
D) responds to honor and shame

Question 5

Rumiel is a student working on a group project about Jennifer Jacquet's research.Rumiel does far less work than the other group members.At a meeting that Rumiel doesn't bother to attend,the other group members say they're going to put Jacquet's research into action,so they decide to:

A) confront Rumiel respectfully in a private setting.
B) post his photograph with the caption "I'm a freeloader" on social media.
C) do the project without him and never tell the teacher.
D) do the project without him and tell the teacher after the semester is over.

Question 6

Authority most explicitly refers to:

A) rules and regulations of society.
B) the enforcement of societal folkways.
C) the justifiable right to exercise power.
D) the process of commanding.

Question 7

A person who is always the center of attention and comfortable being a leader probably has what kind of authority,according to Weber's theory?

A) charismatic
B) spiritual
C) traditional
D) political

Question 8

Legal-rational authority is pervasive in modern society today.This is probably because it:

A) means everyone is theoretically treated the same,based on clear and consistent procedures.
B) takes individual cases into consideration,giving particular attention to personal charisma.
C) guarantees efficiency and fairness.
D) relies on tradition.

Question 9

The Milgram experiment helped explain the actions of Nazis during the Holocaust because it showed that people:

A) would obey authority figures without hesitation.
B) reacted differently to chaos.
C) reacted the same way to feeling threatened.
D) had previously committed war crimes like those committed during the Holocaust.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a legal-rational institution?

A) a family
B) a prison
C) a group of sports fans
D) a local church

Question 11

Max Weber used the term charisma to describe a person's:

A) good looks.
B) superhuman aura.
C) legitimization.
D) character.

Question 12

In a legal-rational society,personality and tradition are less important than:

A) multiple leaders.
B) a supreme ruler.
C) formal rules.
D) justification for legal decisions.

Question 13

A group of students launch a campaign to reduce malaria.The campaign's theme is "Malaria Kills: Why Aren't You Stopping It?" and is targeted at the general public.Jennifer Jacquet's research predicts this campaign will be ineffective because it is using shame to promote change,and shame doesn't work when:

A) people live in a shameless society.
B) the word shame isn't used explicitly.
C) the problem lacks a clear guilty party.
D) people feel overwhelmed with global problems.

Question 14

An employee manual that outlines the proper way to build a product on an assembly line in a factory is an example of:

A) Taylorism.
B) traditional red tape.
C) Fordism.
D) coercion.

Question 15

Max Weber described bureaucracies as the ________ of modern life.

A) prison
B) tradition
C) meritocracy
D) iron cage

Question 16

________ authority is based on standard,regular procedures,and is the type of authority supposedly most pervasive in modern society.

A) Rational
B) Legal-rational
C) Honor-based
D) Traditional

Question 17

In Freakonomics,Levitt and Dubner found that a political candidate can't win an election unless:

A) he or she has the most money.
B) he or she has the same beliefs as the person currently in office.
C) the electorate likes him or her.
D) his or her party has the majority.

Question 18

Legal-rational authority allows a governor to make laws,but not a police officer.What is the difference between the governor and the police officer?

A) their incomes
B) their political parties
C) their roles
D) their parents' incomes

Question 19

In general,rulers prove their authority by:

A) overthrowing current governments.
B) building up the largest armies.
C) persuading subordinates that their claims to power are valid.
D) establishing their own government systems.

Question 20

Promotions to higher levels within an idealized bureaucratic hierarchy based on achievement rather than personal attributes or favoritism refers to:

A) charisma.
B) Taylorism.
C) meritocracy.
D) specialization.

Question 21

In the grocery store one day,you spy a mother and her two unruly children.She consistently threatens that she is going to spank them when she gets them home.They ignore her threats.Finally,she swats one of them on the butt,making the other child laugh,suggesting that she has lost control of the situation.This could be seen as:

A) coercion.
B) idle threat.
C) the paradox of authority.
D) Keynesian authority.

Question 22

The principle of ________ means that each state tacitly agrees to mind its own business when it comes to the internal affairs of other sovereign countries,as long as borders are respected.

A) autonomous authority
B) noninterference
C) legitimate statehood
D) sovereignty

Question 23

According to political theorist T.H.Marshall,a group of protestors picketing a political speech is exercising ________ rights.

A) civil
B) political
C) social
D) individual

Question 24

After the period of rapid industrialization that began in the late eighteenth century and culminated at the beginning of the twentieth century,many states began adopting various policies developed to meet social needs.This is referred to as:

A) the paradox of well-being.
B) social policy.
C) social insurance.
D) Social Security.

Question 25

Sociologist T.H.Marshall discussed three types of citizenship rights.Which of the following is one of these rights?

A) private rights
B) religious rights
C) political rights
D) individual rights

Question 26

Most people living within a state have certain rights as citizens of that nation,called ________ rights.

A) public
B) private
C) citizenship
D) social

Question 27

Robert volunteers at the local animal shelter.After ten days,abandoned animals are put to death.This distresses Robert and goes against his ethical beliefs,but because the manager of the shelter says he must,Robert participates in the euthanasia.This is an example of:

A) charismatic authority.
B) the paradox of authority.
C) Taylorism.
D) the findings in Milgram's authority experiment.

Question 28

When a company dominates because it has a monopoly on the industry,this is called domination by:

A) authority.
B) power.
C) government.
D) economic power.

Question 29

The logic of industrialism thesis argues that:

A) social welfare benefits emerged to satisfy the social needs created by capitalism.
B) industrialization will eventually undermine the welfare state.
C) the welfare state mediates class conflict by "buying off" workers with a degree of security.
D) the state acts autonomously (unrelated to the economy)to enact welfare policies.

Question 30

A prominent British economist postulated that government intervention,in the form of social expenditures,could pull the economy out of a recession by stimulating demand for products and services.This is referred to as:

A) Keynesian economics.
B) Marxist welfare.
C) social services.
D) economic recession.

Question 31

According to the state-centered approach,a politician from West Virginia who pushes a bill to improve health benefits for miners would do so to enhance his or her own:

A) popularity.
B) community service record.
C) power.
D) health benefits.

Question 32

The logic of industrialism theory states that ________ cause(s)the needs provided for by social welfare systems.

A) liberal policies
B) industrialization
C) contributory programs
D) extravagant wages

Question 33

Although the state's authority derives from the implicit threat of physical force,when the state resorts to physical coercion to enforce its will,its legitimate authority diminishes drastically.This is an example of:

A) legal coercion.
B) the paradox of authority.
C) government coercion.
D) domination.

Question 34

Your deference to your parents,professors,and the laws of the U.S.government is best seen as an example of domination by:

A) authority.
B) power.
C) government.
D) economic power.

Question 35

With industrialization,families were less able to rely on extended networks to help take care of children,the elderly,and those who were disabled.As a result,the government intervened to take care of these people.When governments assume responsibility for the basic needs of citizens,this is called a(n):

A) international state.
B) social state.
C) welfare state.
D) socialist help system.

Question 36

Within the international community,an unwritten rule exists that neighboring states must first recognize a new state's autonomy before:

A) more distant ones will do so.
B) it will be allowed to trade.
C) it receives economic assistance.
D) international human rights standards will apply.

Question 37

The president vetoes a bill although there are many supporters.This is an example of:

A) domination.
B) control.
C) power.
D) authority.

Question 38

If you were to look for an apartment,you would be free to live in any neighborhood that you chose.This is an example of a person's ________ rights.

A) civil
B) political
C) social
D) welfare

Question 39

Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company was in a position to issue commands and dictate the price of oil to oil producers by virtue of its monopoly on oil refining.This is an example of domination by:

A) authority.
B) power.
C) government.
D) economic power.

Question 40

Until places like Somaliland are recognized by other states and international institutions such as the United Nations,they will remain:

A) dangerous and fraudulent "nations."
B) in poverty.
C) without economic help from the United Nations.
D) self-proclaimed nation-states.

Question 41

According to Hobbes,to achieve peace and avoid death,humans enter into a ________ and submit to an overarching sovereign authority charged with ensuring peace for everyone.

A) social contract
B) religious contract
C) civil contract
D) government contract

Question 42

A modern model to explain the variations in forms of government is the study of the strategic decisions actors make by taking stock of the options available to them and the other players.This is referred to as:

A) strategic warfare.
B) soft power.
C) game theory.
D) the third dimension of power.

Question 43

Piven and Cloward hold who or what responsible for the precipitous drop in political participation?

A) the legislature
B) Congress
C) the president
D) political elites

Question 44

Professor Worth decides to emulate Zephyr Teachout's approach to running for public office.Therefore,Professor Worth makes ________ the center of her platform.

A) campaign finance reform
B) repealing the law that defines a corporation as a person
C) eliminating force as a tool of government power
D) privileging soft power in the criminal justice system

Question 45

The civic voluntarism model points to three components to explain political participation or nonparticipation.Which of the following is one of these components?

A) political apathy
B) race and ethnicity
C) exposure to political advertising
D) mobilization efforts

Question 46

Which of these is a characteristic of dictatorships?

A) limited suffrage
B) property is inherited by the oldest son
C) universal but conformist political participation
D) a disappearance of submissive citizens

Question 47

Social rights to public assistance,such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF),are contingent on proof of insufficient financial resources.This is referred to as:

A) opposition to rights.
B) rights to means-tested programs.
C) rights to contributory programs.
D) individual rights.

Question 48

Hollywood films are often popular abroad and can be vehicles for some of the favored U.S.ideologies,such as free trade or democratic political institutions. This is an example of:

A) hard power.
B) game theory.
C) soft power.
D) political deception.

Question 49

During the Cold War,the United States tended to use hard power with regard to international relations.Joseph Nye,former assistant secretary of defense,concludes that use of hard power in international politics today is:

A) needed more than ever.
B) encouraged only in situations where there is a large difference in military power between states.
C) no longer needed,especially because countries are economically dependent on each other.
D) now outlawed by the Geneva Conventions.

Question 50

According to Lukes's first dimension of power,when is power most visible?

A) during cultural displays,such as military parades
B) during everyday conversation
C) when no conflict is apparent
D) when different agendas clash and conflict results,with one side prevailing

Question 51

You believe that you have received an unfair grade on a paper,but you know that arguing with your professor would do little good.You leave the classroom and angrily throw the paper into the nearest trash can.Steven Lukes would call this the ________ dimension of power.

A) first
B) second
C) third
D) conflict

Question 52

During a presidential election,we ultimately end up with two choices.If we were to be presented with more choices,we would not end up with the top choice of most voters.This is known as Kenneth Arrow's:

A) impossibility theorem.
B) state-centered political power.
C) inherent contradiction between civil rights and political power.
D) three dimensions of power.

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of an interest group?

A) a presidential campaign
B) a corporation lobbying to win a government contract
C) a book club
D) a group of people bringing a civil lawsuit against a corporation

Question 54

________ groups gain power by trying to persuade elected officials to advocate their agendas.

A) Legislative
B) Anarchist
C) Interest
D) Political

Question 55

An organization that seeks to gain power in a government,generally by backing candidates for office who subscribe to certain policies and values,is referred to as:

A) Congress.
B) campaign managers.
C) the judiciary committee.
D) a political party.

Question 56

A system of government wherein power theoretically lies with the people-and citizens are therefore allowed to vote in elections,speak freely,and participate as legal equals in social life-is referred to as:

A) democracy.
B) socialism.
C) a dictatorship.
D) communism.

Question 57

The citizens who have the most to lose by not being politically active are the group most vulnerable to changing political and policy definitions of what constitutes a social right.Who makes up this group?

A) the deserving poor
B) the middle class
C) elites
D) white males

Question 58

A trade union representing workers in particular job categories acts as a(n)________ when it attempts to influence policy.

A) political action committee
B) trade group
C) lobbyist
D) interest group

Question 59

Social Security benefits in the United States are an example of:

A) state-centered rights.
B) the right to means-tested programs.
C) the right to contributory programs.
D) poverty-centered rights.

Question 60

Why does Puerto Rico have higher voting rates than the United States?

A) There is more incentive for Puerto Ricans to vote.
B) Nonvoters are socially ostracized.
C) Election Day is a holiday.
D) Voting is mandatory.

Question 61

Using two similarities and two differences,compare and contrast democracies and dictatorships.With a focus on political participation,explain why some states end up as democracies and others become dictatorships.

Question 62

List three of Max Weber's five characteristics of bureaucracy.For each characteristic in your list,explain how the U.S.government,as a large bureaucracy,exemplifies the characteristic.

Question 63

Describe the Milgram experiment.What were the researchers trying to measure? What did this experiment help to explain? Invent another experiment that could seek understanding about the same area of human experience.

Question 64

Max Weber defined bureaucracy as a large organization set up in a rational manner to get jobs done efficiently.Impersonality is one of the key features of bureaucracy. Explain how impersonality can be positive or negative.

Question 65

Explain why Weber's definition of state does not fit many African states.

Question 66

Compare and contrast hard power and soft power,using examples.

Question 67

A government institutes new laws for public schools.Parents begin writing letters of protest and demanding meetings with their government officials.Use Steven Lukes's three-dimensional model to describe how power is present in this conflict.In your answer,be sure to explain whether or not each of the three dimensions of power is at play.

Question 68

Briefly define the three theories-logic of industrialism,neo-Marxist theory,and state-centered approaches-that explain how and why the welfare state developed.Which theory do you find most persuasive,and why?

Question 69

Max Weber felt that bureaucracies were necessary and inevitable in the modern world,but at the same time,he felt they had many negative aspects.What did he mean when he said a bureaucracy is an "iron cage" in modern life? Give an example of how a bureaucracy has "parceled-out your soul."