Question 1

Which of the following is characteristic of the elite?&#10;A) They have power to make decisions with major consequences.&#10;B) They are confined by simple family responsibilities.&#10;C) They always profess their power.&#10;D) They are made by their jobs.

Accepted Answer

The elite are characterized by their power to make decisions with major consequences. Often, this power is based on their wealth, social status, or political influence. While they may have simple family responsibilities, that is not a defining characteristic of the elite. Additionally, not all members of the elite profess their power, and their jobs may contribute to their power, but are not the sole determining factor.

Question 2

Those who believe in a powerful elite in America often base this belief on ______.&#10;A) personal experience&#10;B) history&#10;C) religious ideology&#10;D) failure

Accepted Answer

Those who believe in a powerful elite in America often base this belief on historical evidence and analysis of patterns of wealth and power distribution in society.

Question 3

Mills argues that all of the following institutional hierarchies constitute the means of power in American society except ______.&#10;A) politics&#10;B) economics&#10;C) education&#10;D) the military

Accepted Answer

Mills argues in his book "The Power Elite" that the institutional hierarchies of politics, economics, and the military all contribute to the means of power in American society. However, Mills does not specifically mention education as one of these institutional hierarchies.

Question 4

The typical institutional unit has become ______.&#10;A) decentralized&#10;B) administrative&#10;C) smaller&#10;D) unimportant

Accepted Answer

The answer of The typical institutional unit has become ______.&#10;A)...

Question 5

Which term best describes the relationship between the three large institutional domains?&#10;A) structural&#10;B) isolated&#10;C) superficial&#10;D) interlocking

Accepted Answer

Interlocking is the most suitable term because the three large institutional domains, namely the government, the economy, and civil society, are interconnected and mutually dependent on each other. They influence each other's policies and actions, and their collaboration or conflict can have significant impacts on society as a whole.

Question 6

Historically, what happened when small entrepreneurs failed?&#10;A) The consequences remained local.&#10;B) Political authorities intervened.&#10;C) The military helped out.&#10;D) Schools were in crisis.

Accepted Answer

Historically, when small entrepreneurs failed, the consequences remained local. There was no intervention from political authorities or the military, and schools were not affected.

Question 7

No one can be truly powerful without access to ______.&#10;A) prestige&#10;B) wealth&#10;C) institutions&#10;D) aristocracy

Accepted Answer

Institutions provide a person with the necessary resources and tools to wield power, such as access to information, credibility, and the ability to make decisions and enforce them. Wealth, prestige, and aristocracy can certainly contribute to a person's power, but without institutions or access to them, their power may be limited or unsustainable.

Question 8

What is the primary source of wealth?&#10;A) the modern corporation&#10;B) infrastructure&#10;C) the military elite&#10;D) consumption

Accepted Answer

The modern corporation has become the primary source of wealth as it allows individuals or groups to invest and generate profits through the production and sale of goods and services. The rise of technology has also allowed for rapid growth and expansion of corporations, further increasing their wealth and power.

Question 9

When do the elite recognize their own social class?&#10;A) when they write their autobiography&#10;B) when outsiders try to enter their circle&#10;C) when they are sitting on their terraces&#10;D) when marriages fail

Accepted Answer

The elite recognize their own social class when outsiders try to enter their circle, as this is a reminder of the exclusivity and privilege of their position. The other options (writing an autobiography, sitting on terraces, and failed marriages) do not necessarily lead to an awareness of social class.

Question 10

All of the following are true of the upper strata in the United States except they ______.&#10;A) are less visible than in Europe&#10;B) have emerged from the aristocracy&#10;C) are insulated from economic problems&#10;D) make decisions of consequence

Accepted Answer

The upper strata in the United States have not emerged from aristocracy as they did in Europe. They have instead achieved their status through wealth and success in business or other fields.

Question 11

Identify the three points of crisis of mod?ern capitalist society.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify the three points of crisis of...

Question 12

Briefly describe the big three of power as outlined by Mills.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly describe the big three of power...

Question 13

Which individuals are at the top of each of the three enlarged and centralized domains?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which individuals are at the top of...

Question 14

Explain the accumulative nature of prestige and provide an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the accumulative nature of prestige and...

Question 15

Describe how one hundred of the most powerful men in America could become powerless.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe how one hundred of the most...

Deck 35: The Power Elite