Question 1

Market or capitalist economic systems are all of the following EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The statement "government controls production and distribution" is not a characteristic of market or capitalist economic systems. These systems rely on private ownership and individual decision-making, and government intervention is typically minimized.

Question 2

______ theorists argue that underlying social problems cause disruptions to the system, including war, terrorism, and revolution.

Accepted Answer

Functional theorists believe that social problems arise when there is dysfunction within the social system. This dysfunction can lead to disruptions such as war, terrorism, and revolution. Pluralist theorists argue that social problems arise from competing interests within the system, while elite theorists argue that a small group of individuals hold a disproportionate amount of power and influence in society. Rational choice theorists focus on individual decision-making within a given set of constraints.

Question 3

According to the text, in which of the following countries is it a violation of the law to fail to vote?

Accepted Answer

It is a violation of law in Australia to fail to vote.

Question 4

According to the text, which country accounts for more than one third of world military spending?

Accepted Answer

The text states that "the United States remains by far the world’s dominant military power, accounting for more than a third of the worldwide total of military spending." Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 5

A pluralist perspective views power as distributed among many interest groups in society.

Accepted Answer

Pluralism suggests that power is dispersed among various groups and individuals rather than being concentrated in the hands of a single entity or individual. This is in contrast to a unitary perspective, which sees power as being centralized and held by a small group of ruling elites.

Question 6

Countries such as Sweden and the United Kingdom that have incorporated some democratic socialist ideas into their governmental policies are sometimes referred to by critics as ______.

Accepted Answer

Critics of Sweden and the United Kingdom often refer to them as "welfare states" due to their incorporation of democratic socialist policies such as universal healthcare, free education, and strong social safety nets.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT one of the characteristics shared by ideal-type democracies?

Accepted Answer

Military juntas taking control of a nation is not a characteristic of ideal-type democracies. In fact, it contradicts the very essence of democracy, which is based on the principles of popular sovereignty, free and fair elections, and civilian control of government. Therefore, military coups usually undermine or suspend democratic institutions and processes, and often lead to repression, human rights abuses, and unstable governance. As such, the absence of military intervention and domination is a key requirement for a functioning democracy.

Question 8

Power is only operative at the meso- and macro-levels of the social world.

Accepted Answer

Power can also be operative at the micro-level of the social world, such as in interpersonal relationships where one person has more control or influence over the other.

Question 9

Which of the following economic systems involves state-based planning and control of property?

Accepted Answer

Centralized systems involve state-based planning and control of property, as opposed to market systems where property is primarily owned and controlled by private individuals or entities. Open systems and non-Western systems are not specific economic systems and do not necessarily involve state-based planning and control of property.

Question 10

Which of the following economic systems stresses individual planning and private ownership of property?

Accepted Answer

Market systems stress individual planning and private ownership of property. Planned systems, on the other hand, rely on central planning and government ownership of property. Centralized systems may encompass a variety of economic structures, but are generally characterized by a high degree of centralization of economic decision-making power. Open systems are not an economic system, but rather refer to systems that are open to the exchange of information and resources with other systems.

Question 11

The two main forms of democratic constitutional government are ______.

Accepted Answer

The two main forms of democratic constitutional government are parliamentary and presidential. Congressional and monarchy are not correct options as they are not forms of government, but rather part of the legislative branch or a system of government led by a monarch. Additionally, there is no such thing as a "congressional" form of government, as Congress is a specific legislative body within the American presidential system.

Question 12

In the 2012 presidential election, a higher percentage than normal of eligible U.S. voters turned out: ______.

Accepted Answer

According to the United States Election Project, the voter turnout in the 2012 presidential election was 58.7%. This was higher than the turnout in the 2008 election (56.8%) but lower than the historic turnout in the 1960s and 1970s. Therefore, option B is the most accurate choice as it reflects the actual turnout percentage.

Question 13

Which of the following statements about elite theory is false?

Accepted Answer

Elite theory generally posits that a small, cohesive elite class holds power and makes policy, contrary to the idea that power is distributed among a variety of groups. Statement C suggests a pluralist view, which is contrary to the central tenet of elite theory that a single elite group has significant control over policy decisions.

Question 14

According to the text, which of the following is NOT a typical function of meso-level political institutions?

Accepted Answer

Meso-level political institutions typically focus on functions related to governing and maintaining order within a community, such as maintaining social control, serving as an arbiter in state disputes, and protecting citizens. Socializing new citizens is typically a function of micro-level political institutions, such as schools and community organizations.

Question 15

______ refers to the social institution that determines and exercises power relations in society.

Accepted Answer

Politics refers to the social institution that involves the distribution and exercise of power within a community or society. It encompasses the processes of decision-making, governance, and allocation of resources. While economics, law enforcement, and Congress are all related to politics, they do not encompass the entirety of the political institution.

Question 16

Vic began his career as a police officer as a "straitlaced cop." In the beginning, he always made good arrests, never took bribes, and was as impartial as possible. As time went on, he became jaded with the job. He started doing favors for restaurants that gave him free food. After a while, he got into the habit of ticketing people who wronged him and his friends. Vic is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Vic began his career as a police...

Question 17

A central question for functionalists is how loyalty to the power of the state is created.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism primarily focuses on how various parts of society work together to maintain stability and equilibrium, rather than specifically on loyalty to the state's power.

Question 18

A type of government based on a specific political ideology and run by a single ruling group or party is referred to as a(n) ______.

Accepted Answer

An oligarchy is a type of government where a small group of people holds all the power, typically based on wealth or social status. This ruling group does not necessarily represent the interests of the general population and often has a specific political ideology.

Question 19

According to the text, the goal of capitalism is ______.

Accepted Answer

The text states that the goal of capitalism is "to generate profit" and "to maximize returns for shareholders".

Question 20

According to ______, there is an invisible but interlocking power elite in U.S. society.

Accepted Answer

The concept of an interlocking power elite in U.S. society was introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills in his book "The Power Elite." This elite consists of the leaders of the military, corporate, and political realms who exercise significant control over society and shape policy decisions. Weber, Marx, and Michels also wrote about power and elite theory, but did not specifically describe an interlocking power elite in American society.

Quiz 12: Politics and Economics: Probing Power; Dissecting Distribution