Deck 1: Understanding Politics

Question 1

According to the text, 'authority' that is generally accepted by the members of a political community is described as ________.

A) totalitarian
B) rational
C) authoritarian
D) legitimate

Answer 1

D

Question 2

According to the text, there is a 'third face' of power that is often ignored, involving the ability to ________.

A) change government personnel
B) use force to achieve political goals
C) affect the dominant ideas of society
D) gain votes by using inducements

Answer 2

C

Question 3

Charismatic authority is based on ________.

A) personal qualities of a leader
B) legal rules and procedures
C) tradition and custom
D) processes of election

Answer 3

A

Question 4

According to the German sociologist Max Weber, there are three main forms of authority. Which among the following is included as one of these forms?

A) powerful
B) traditional
C) identifiable
D) intellectual

Question 5

The 'tragedy of the commons' may be solved by ________.

A) encouraging people to have larger families
B) creating trust and discussion among the community
C) encouraging free riders to use the commons
D) building roads around the commons for public use

Question 6

A situation resulting when at least one member of a political group benefits from a group action without having contributed or participated is known as ____________.

A) emancipation
B) social welfare
C) free-rider problem
D) the common good

Question 7

In the analysis of politics, 'power' is defined as the ability to________.

A) achieve unity rather than diversity
B) reduce the levels of violence
C) affect the behaviour of others
D) change governmental institutions

Question 8

A form of power that is exercised by offering a reward or bribe is described as _________.

A) persuasion
B) inducement
C) coercion
D) bargaining

Question 9

According to the text, which of the following heads of state is most likely to be considered an example of charismatic leadership?

A) George Bush
B) John Major
C) Justin Trudeau
D) Paul Martin

Question 10

An individualist perspective on society argues that humans _______________.

A) are naturally harmonious in their interaction with others
B) act primarily in their own interests when making decisions
C) pursue the common good even if it conflicts with their own interests
D) follow strong authoritarian individuals

Question 11

'People power' refers to the ability of ordinary or disadvantaged people to challenge the powerful through determined and skilful action. The successful use of 'people power' occurred when the ________.

A) people demonstrated against the communist governments of some Eastern European countries in 1989
B) US senators from small states were able to challenge the majority opinion of the American people
C) government of china suppressed student-led demands for democratization in 1989
D) governments failed to agree to firm targets for greenhouse gas emissions in Copenhagen in 2009

Question 12

The text discusses four ways in which power can be exercised. For example, power that uses fear or threats of harm is termed _____________.

A) coercion
B) persuasion
C) bargaining
D) authority

Question 13

What is the Second face of Power as stated in Table 1.1 of the text?

A) Ability to affect decisions
B) Ability to ensure that issues are not raised
C) Ability to affect the dominant ideas of society
D) Ability to control the means of force

Question 14

The authors of the text prefer one definition of 'politics' over others. Which one of the following definitions do the authors of the textbook prefer?

A) the art and science of government
B) relationships of mutual gain
C) making collective decisions for a community
D) individualistic pursuit of power

Question 15

As defined in the text, 'persuasion' means _________.

A) getting people to act against their own desires or interests
B) using fear or threat of harm to achieve objectives
C) accepting the right of others to make decisions on their behalf
D) using information either truthfully or manipulatively to change behaviour

Question 16

A country whose success in providing wealth and harmony to its population convinces other countries to follow its example is an example of power exercised through ________.

A) cultural imperialism
B) inducements
C) leadership
D) persuasion

Question 17

After having increased greenhouse gases in 2011, Canada withdrew from the ___________.

A) Kyoto Protocol
B) Rio Treaty
C) ABM Treaty
D) Paris Agreement

Question 18

Which statement describes charismatic authority?

A) "Political leaders must follow the same rules as everybody else."
B) "Political leaders are born, not made"
C) "Power flows from the barrel of a gun "
D) "Power is corrupt "

Question 19

According to Max Weber, modern societies are characterized by efficient management and bureaucratic organization and the right to rule is based on rules and procedures rather than the individuals holding authority. This is known as _________.

A) the iron cage
B) traditional authority
C) legal-rational authority
D) totalitarian authority

Question 20

Which scholar suggest that if individuals pursue their own economic self interest in a competitive free-market system, the result will be maximization of the wealth of society?

A) Adam Smith
B) David Riccardo
C) Max Weber
D) Nelson Mandela

Question 21

Power necessarily means that one individual or group is able to control and manipulate another.

Question 22

Political analysis that uses careful observation and comparison to develop testable theories is the definition of ___________.

A) empirical analysis
B) system process theory
C) policy analysis
D) normative analysis

Question 23

The pluralist perspective on politics assumes that all actors have an equal amount of political power.

Question 24

Efforts by environmental groups to influence Home Depot using product boycotts do not constitute political activities.

Question 25

Power cannot be exercised by the 'non-decisions' of influential figures.

Question 26

What is meant by the political agenda?

Question 27

A legitimacy crisis may occur in democracies when governments persistently fail to deal with serious problems.

Question 28

'Behaviouralism' seeks to understand peoples' political behavior by using quantitative methods like surveys. The goal is to develop a scientific approach that is ________.

A) adaptable
B) normative
C) value-free
D) predictable

Question 29

Briefly explain how globalism and considerations of the future pose important questions about the idea of the common good.

Question 30

Legal-rational forms of authority are based on the personal qualities of a leader.

Question 31

The pluralist perspective asserts that ________.

A) power is highly concentrated in a few hands
B) governments are highly split between different levels
C) groups tend to share similar values and goals in a political community
D) a wide variety of groups are able to influence the government

Question 32

The combination of empirical and normative analysis is evident in policy analysis.

Question 33

Democracy tends to reflect the minority opinions of the population.

Question 34

Empirical analysis involves explaining various aspects of politics, by using observation and comparison to develop generalizations.

Question 35

Describe the three basic types of authority described by Max Weber.

Question 36

What is the free rider problem?

Question 37

In The Republic, the ancient Greek philosopher Plato argued that the common good might be achieved by placing governing power in the hands of a ________.

A) wealthy educated upper class
B) few elected representatives
C) philosopher-king
D) group of aristocratic families

Question 38

Power can be thought of in a positive way as the ability to achieve worthwhile collective goals.

Question 39

What is one important benefit enjoyed by governments that are widely perceived as legitimate by their citizens?

Question 40

Which of the following is not discussed in the text as a factor that complicates the pursuit of the common good?

A) unequal distribution of costs
B) diversity
C) individualist perspective
D) bureaucracy

Question 41

How can the common good be achieved, from an individualistic perspective on politics?

Question 42

Discuss Hardin's explanation of the tragedy of the commons and three solutions to the problem discussed in the chapter.

Question 43

Define what is described as "people power" in this chapter and provide two historical examples where this has occurred.