Deck 11: The Economy and Politics

Question 1

In socialism, the state is responsible for all economic planning and programs.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

For functionalists, low wages alienate employees rather than motivate them to work harder.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

Interlocking directorates have become more influential than ever because of the proliferation of transnational corporations.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

A major reason for deindustrialization is that, beginning in the early 1960s, employers easily replaced workers with the highest skill levels with automation.

Question 5

Offshoring increases a company's costs at home.

Question 6

_____ is an economic system based on private ownership of property and competition in producing and selling goods and services.

A) Communism
B) Anarchism
C) Totalitarianism
D) Socialism
E) Capitalism

Question 7

Feminist scholars disagree with conflict theorists on all aspects of social issues.

Question 8

Deindustrialization, globalization, and offshoring have strengthened labor unions.

Question 9

Capitalism is an economic system in which:

A) property belongs to the state rather than individuals.
B) the state decides what goods and services should be produced.
C) competition among the owners of production is discouraged.
D) selling something for more than it costs to produce is forbidden and the government monitors the business transactions among companies.
E) owners of production compete in setting prices that offer consumers the greatest value in price and quality.

Question 10

Critics argue that globalization terminates jobs and makes goods and services unaffordable for people around the world.

Question 11

Conglomerates are subjected to greater market risk as they operate in a single market.

Question 12

According to C. Wright Mills, the power elite is made up of two dominant groups of people at the top level who run the country .

Question 13

Conflict theorists argue that capitalism leads to wealth disparities.

Question 14

In a democracy, individuals participate in governmental decisions, and select leaders who are responsive to the wishes of the majority of the people.

Question 15

Symbolic interactionists rely on macro-level approaches to explain the day-to-day meaning of work.

Question 16

Interactionists study how people are socialized into their jobs .

Question 17

Totalitarianism is an ideology that rejects state control over private lives.

Question 18

Conflict theorists contend that the United States is ruled by pluralism.

Question 19

Discouraged workers are people who have part-time jobs but want full-time work or whose jobs are below their experience, skill, and education levels.

Question 20

T he International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers supports primarily Republicans.

Question 21

Which of the following statements is true of oligopolies?

A) They stifle competition.
B) They lower prices.
C) They are considered illegal.
D) They offer many product options for consumers.
E) They lead to a free market.

Question 22

Yuksom, an IT firm based in the U.S., has its branches in India and China. Yuksom is a(n) _____.

A) interlocking directorate
B) transnational conglomerate
C) transnational corporation
D) special-interest group
E) subsidiary unit

Question 23

In a(n) _____, the same people serve on the boards of directors of several companies or corporations.

A) private cartel
B) interlocking directorate
C) monopoly
D) ad hoc committee
E) subsidiary board

Question 24

Identify a characteristic of capitalism.

A) Property belongs to the state rather than individuals.
B) The state decides what goods and services should be produced.
C) It results in a free market that encourages competition.
D) By investing profits, capitalists can increase their own wealth .
E) In capitalism, the means of production belong to the community.

Question 25

Which of the following statements is true of a corporation?

A) It does not have any liability.
B) It does not have privileges apart from those of its members.
C) It is owned by state governments.
D) It has its own legal rights apart from those of its members.
E) It is owned by the federal government.

Question 26

A difference between capitalism and socialism is that:

A) socialism is based on private ownership of property; capitalism is based on collective ownership of property.
B) in capitalism, profits are accumulated by the state; in socialism, individuals accumulate profits.
C) in capitalism, the state is responsible for economic planning; in socialism, the state is not involved in economic planning.
D) capitalism focuses on providing social services to people; socialism places more importance on competition than providing social services.
E) socialism forbids private profits that are fueled by greed and exploitation of workers; exploitation of workers is common in the capitalist system.

Question 27

_____ is also referred to as state capitalism.

A) Crony capitalism
B) Mercantilism
C) Welfare capitalism
D) Totalitarianism
E) Corporate capitalism

Question 28

Ultimate Edge Inc. owns companies that manufacture cars, sell car accessories to retailers, and provide maintenance services for cars. It also has tie-ups with banks that provide car loans. Ultimate Edge is an example of a(n) _____.

A) oligopoly
B) monopoly
C) cohort
D) conglomerate
E) entrepreneurial venture

Question 29

In the mid-1980s, 50 companies controlled 90 percent of all U.S. media. This is an example of a(n) _____.

A) monarchy
B) monopoly
C) oligopoly
D) anarchy
E) autocracy

Question 30

Which of the following is a reason for the failure of communism?

A) Widespread corruption
B) Intense competition
C) Excessive focus on profit
D) Private ownership of means of production
E) Presence of oligopolies

Question 31

_____ refers to the growth and spread of investment, trade, production, communication, and new technology around the world.

A) Conglomeration
B) Globalization
C) Deindustrialization
D) Gentrification
E) Retrofitting

Question 32

Identify a true statement about deindustrialization.

A) Deindustrialization involves the replacement of highly skilled workers.
B) A major reason for deindustrialization is that employers easily replaced workers with the lowest skill levels with automation .
C) A major reason for deindustrialization is globalization, which has led to the increase in the number of manufacturing jobs.
D) Deindustrialization has been slowed down by globalization.
E) Communists support deindustrialization.

Question 33

The transfer of manufacturing jobs overseas that has been going on since at least the 1970s is referred to as _____.

A) offshoring
B) insourcing
C) telecommuting
D) gentrification
E) conglomeration

Question 34

Which of the following is a characteristic of socialism?

A) It is based on private ownership of property.
B) It highly recommends market competition.
C) It encourages people to accumulate individual profits.
D) It encourages private investments.
E) It is based on collective goals.

Question 35

A(n) _____ is the domination of a particular market or industry by one person or company.

A) monarchy
B) monopoly
C) oligopoly
D) duopoly
E) anarchy

Question 36

When large U.S. corporations move production plants abroad, _____.

A) they can avoid national trade tariffs
B) they face harsh environmental regulations
C) they are required to pay high wages to employees
D) they create more job opportunities in the U.S.
E) they are required to pay high taxes

Question 37

Which of the following best defines communism?

A) A political and economic system in which there is common ownership of property and all people are considered equal
B) An economic system based on private ownership of property and competition in producing and selling goods and services
C) An economic system that combines private ownership of property and market competition
D) A political and economic system in which the state controls the lives of citizens but permits some degree of individual freedom
E) A political system in which the government controls almost every aspect of people's lives

Question 38

Which of the following statements is true of globalization?

A) It gives unprecedented political power to consumers.
B) It slows down the process of deindustrialization.
C) It eliminates income inequality between workers and the global elite.
D) It increases the number of workers in Western economies.
E) It exploits poor people in developing countries.

Question 39

Which of the following statements is true of labor unions?

A) Offshoring has weakened labor unions.
B) Labor unions are in favor of the cessation of paid holidays.
C) Union membership has increased sharply in recent years.
D) Deindustrialization has strengthened labor unions.
E) Globalization has strengthened labor unions.

Question 40

Which of the following statements is true of crony capitalism?

A) In this system, private profits that are fueled by greed and exploitation of workers are forbidden .
B) In this system, the government gives preferential treatment to minority groups.
C) In this system, the government taxes wealthy people and large corporations excessively.
D) In this system, the government gives wealthy people and large corporations preferential treatment through direct payment or loans.
E) In this system, the government provides wealthy people and large corporations with grants that require extreme competition in an open market.

Question 41

Which of the following statements is true of upward power?

A) In upward power, state senators can affect their constituents' lives.
B) In upward power, voters can vote politicians out of office.
C) In upward power, state representatives can pass laws on taxes.
D) In upward power, voters cannot refuse to follow laws.
E) In upward power, voters do not have the power to elect politicians .

Question 42

A criticism of the symbolic interactionist perspective of work and the economy is that:

A) it does not provide insights on how people define and experience work.
B) it overlooks information on how people are socialized into their jobs.
C) it disregards the informal rules that shape people's behavior.
D) it neglects micro-level social forces that affect people's work and choices.
E) it provides in-depth analyses but sacrifices scope.

Question 43

Unlike traditional and charismatic authority, rational-legal authority:

A) is most common in nonindustrialized societies where power resides in kinship groups.
B) is based on customs that justify a ruler's position.
C) is personal and reflects extraordinary deeds or even a belief that a leader has been chosen by God.
D) is power based on exceptional individual abilities and characteristics that inspire devotion.
E) is based on rules and regulations that pertain to an office.

Question 44

Which of the following statements best describes the functionalist perspective on work and the economy?

A) Gender roles structure women's and men's work experiences differently and inequitably.
B) Capitalism enables the rich to exploit other groups; most jobs are low-paying, monotonous, and alienating; productivity isn't always rewarded.
C) Capitalism benefits society; work provides an income, structures people's lives, and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
D) How people define and experience work in their everyday lives affects their workplace behavior and relationships with coworkers and employers.
E) Capitalism creates social problems; globalization has led to job insecurity, and a handful of transnational conglomerates have enormous power.

Question 45

A similarity between traditional authority and charismatic authority is that:

A) both are based on the belief that appointed or elected political leaders are divine beings .
B) both are based on false claims made by individuals.
C) both are personal.
D) both pertain to an office.
E) both come from rules and regulations.

Question 46

Before and since the recession, unemployment rates have been highest among:

A) Asians in the U.S.
B) single female heads of households.
C) single white males.
D) people with a college degree.
E) people employed in health care.

Question 47

Which of the following factors has contributed to the surge in women's employment?

A) The growth in the number of college-educated women
B) A decrease in the number of working single mothers
C) Lower costs of homeownership
D) Women earning more than men in the highest paying occupations
E) Higher unemployment rates among men

Question 48

Jennifer, a waitress at a local café, was fired during the recession. After looking for jobs at various places, she realized that it was futile and stopped her search. Jennifer belongs to the category of _____.

A) the working poor
B) the underemployed
C) blue-collar workers
D) discouraged workers
E) offshore workers

Question 49

In the Indian political system, suffrage is universal and the people choose their own leaders by casting votes. This is an example of a(n) _____.

A) totalitarian government
B) authoritarian government
C) monarchy
D) communist system
E) democracy

Question 50

The term _____ refers to people who have part-time jobs but want full-time work or whose jobs are below their experience, skill, and education levels.

A) underclass
B) underemployed
C) underqualified
D) discouraged workers
E) offshore workers

Question 51

The source of _____ is personal as a ruler inherits authority on the basis of long-standing customs .

A) traditional authority
B) downward authority
C) charismatic authority
D) upward authority
E) rational-legal authority

Question 52

Which of the following statements is true of part-time work?

A) It has spread to the professional sector.
B) It subjects employers to additional costs.
C) It results in low turnover.
D) It increases employee commitment.
E) It is parceled out only to lower-level hourly employees.

Question 53

Identify a true statement about symbolic interactionists.

A) They focus exclusively on formal rules that shape people's behavior.
B) They provide insights on how people define and experience work .
C) They focus on the widespread workplace inequality.
D) They rely on macro-level approaches to explain the day-to-day meaning of work.
E) They fail to explain how work shapes people's self-identity.

Question 54

In a(n) _____, a member of a royal family, usually a king or queen, reigns over a kingdom.

A) totalitarian regime
B) monarchy
C) oligarchy
D) capitalist system
E) democracy

Question 55

_____ is the ability of a person or group to influence others, even if they resist.

A) Personality
B) Competency
C) Charisma
D) Power
E) Rationality

Question 56

The motherhood penalty refers to:

A) a lower employment rate of women with children.
B) a difference in wages between men and women with children.
C) a pay gap between women who are and aren't mothers.
D) the plight of women with children who cannot work full-time.
E) the resentment faced by working mothers in the work environment.

Question 57

Which of the following is a political system in which the government controls almost every aspect of people's lives?

A) Totalitarianism
B) Authoritarianism
C) Capitalism
D) Communism
E) Democracy

Question 58

Which of the following statements best describes the perspective of conflict theorists on work and the economy?

A) Gender roles structure women's and men's work experiences differently and inequitably.
B) Capitalism enables the rich to exploit other groups; most jobs are low-paying, monotonous, and alienating; productivity isn't always rewarded.
C) Capitalism benefits society; work provides an income, structures people's lives, and gives them a sense of accomplishment.
D) How people define and experience work in their everyday lives affects their workplace behavior and relationships with coworkers and employers.
E) Capitalism brings prosperity to society as a whole; work is necessary for a society's survival and defining its members' roles.

Question 59

Which of the following is one of the principles of democracy?

A) The government can denounce the right of individuals to organize political parties whose members compete for public office.
B) The state controls people's public and private lives.
C) Secret police and the military can intimidate people into conformity and punish dissenters.
D) The government has total control over religious and educational institutions.
E) Suffrage is universal and elections are frequent, free, fair, and secret.

Question 60

Which of the following statements is true of rational-legal authority?

A) It does not pertain to any particular individual.
B) It arises from rules and protocols that relate to a person.
C) It is personal and is based on customs, traditions, and religious beliefs.
D) It is passed on from father to son.
E) It fails to inspire loyalty and passion in others.

Question 61

Briefly describe totalitarianism.

Question 62

How does a transnational corporation differ from a transnational conglomerate?

Question 63

Discuss the factors that have contributed to the surge in women's employment.

Question 64

Discuss the various demographic factors that influence voting in America.

Question 65

Define socialism and communism. List the ways in which they differ from each other

Question 66

In the context of the political system, a _____ is a group of people that seeks or receives benefits or favorable treatment from the government.

A) special-interest group
B) social group
C) diversity group
D) self-help group
E) traditional group

Question 67

A corporation has hired George to speak on its behalf about the H-1B visas and influence legislation in its favor. George is a(n) _____.

A) activist
B) angel investor
C) lobbyist
D) marketer
E) publicist

Question 68

Define capitalism. List the characteristics of a capitalistic economy.

Question 69

Which of the following statements is true of the pluralist model?

A) Individuals have little direct power over political decision making.
B) Individuals have no authority to influence government policies.
C) People have a single leader.
D) People have no power beyond their special-interest groups.
E) There are no checks and balances.

Question 70

Briefly discuss rational-legal authority.

Question 71

Discuss the two-party system in the U.S.

Question 72

Which of the following statements is true of demographic factors in voting?

A) In every presidential election since 1996, women have voted at lower rates than men.
B) Historically, and across all elections, voting rates decrease with age.
C) At each successive level of educational attainment, the voting rate increases.
D) Young people have high voting registration rates and are more likely to reregister.
E) Low-income people are more likely to vote than high-income people.

Question 73

Discuss the effects of globalization on the economy.

Question 74

Describe the functionalists' perspective on the economy and its impact on society.

Question 75

Discuss the feminist perspective on the economy and its impact on society.

Question 76

Define authority. Briefly discuss the various forms of authority.

Question 77

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers is an example of a(n):

A) election committee.
B) non-governmental organization.
C) political action committee.
D) political party.
E) conglomeration.

Question 78

Which of the following statements is most likely to be supported by a Democrat?

A) Marriage and adoption should be limited to heterosexuals.
B) The unborn should be protected in all cases; there should be no public money for abortions.
C) The government should raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and expand programs for the poor.
D) The government should increase state and local control of schools.
E) The government should use tax dollars to fund students to attend private schools of their choice if their local school is underperforming.

Question 79

Jennifer, a member of the Masses organization, is running for the office of governor in her state. The members of her organization are organizing rallies in her support. Masses is a _____.

A) conglomerate
B) corporation
C) bureaucracy
D) social group
E) political party

Question 80

For functionalists, the people rule through _____ .

A) anarchism
B) authoritarianism
C) totalitarianism
D) monarchism
E) pluralism