Question 1

Authoritarian regimes headed by dictators have been rare forms in the world.

Accepted Answer

Authoritarian regimes headed by dictators have been present throughout history and continue to exist in various parts of the world today. Therefore, the statement is false.

Question 2

Many voters do not understand the issues at play in elections and vote for people who support policies that would actually harm them.

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown that many voters vote based on party affiliation, name recognition, or other factors rather than a thorough understanding of the policies and issues at hand. As a result, they may end up supporting candidates who do not have their best interests in mind or who support policies that would actually harm them in the long run.

Question 3

A majority of people throughout history have lived under authoritarian or totalitarian systems.

Accepted Answer

Throughout human history, a majority of societies and civilizations have been ruled by authoritarian or totalitarian systems, such as monarchies, empires, dictatorships, and authoritarian regimes. Democracy and individual freedoms are relatively recent concepts that have gained wider acceptance only in the last few centuries.

Question 4

According to pluralist theorists, democratic values can be preserved in a system of multiple, competing elites who determine public policy through a process of bargaining and compromise.

Accepted Answer

Pluralist theorists believe that democracy can be maintained through a system of multiple elites who participate in bargaining and compromise to determine public policy rather than a single ruling elite. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 5

The percentage of voters who turn out in the United States is among the lowest compared with other democratic governments.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Pew Research Center, voter turnout in the United States is lower than in most other developed democracies, with an average turnout of around 55% in presidential elections and even lower in non-presidential election years.

Question 6

A key issue at the macro-level is decisions by individuals to vote or otherwise participate in the political system.

Accepted Answer

Macro-level issues typically refer to societal or systemic factors affecting large groups or the entire population, such as economic policies, social structures, or national laws, rather than individual decisions like voting.

Question 7

Other social institutions seldom influence meso-level political institutions.

Accepted Answer

Other social institutions, such as economic institutions, media, and civil society, can have a significant impact on the functioning and outcomes of meso-level political institutions, such as political parties and interest groups. These institutions can shape the agenda of political actors, mobilize public opinion, and provide resources and support for political participation and advocacy.

Question 8

For traditional leaders, the right to lead rests with the person, not the position.

Accepted Answer

The answer of For traditional leaders, the right to lead...

Question 9

Sweden, Norway, Austria, and Canada are considered "welfare states."

Accepted Answer

These countries are known for their high levels of social welfare programs, such as universal healthcare, education, and social security, which are designed to provide a safety net for citizens in need.

Question 10

In typical parliamentary governments, the head of state and the head of government are the same person.

Accepted Answer

In typical parliamentary governments, the head of state and the head of government are separate roles. The head of state is often a monarch or a ceremonial president, while the head of government is the prime minister or chancellor who holds the actual executive power.

Question 11

In market systems, all matters of production and labor are governed with the communal good in mind.

Accepted Answer

In market systems, production and labor are governed by individual self-interest and profit motives, rather than the communal good.

Question 12

Meso-level political institutions include state governments as well as national political parties.

Accepted Answer

Meso-level political institutions refer to organizations that operate at the state or regional level, including state governments and political parties. National political parties are also considered meso-level institutions as they have representation and operations at multiple state levels.

Question 13

Conflict theorists would support the view that society should facilitate more equal distribution of resources simply because all persons are equally deserving of human dignity.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists believe in reducing inequality and promoting a more equal distribution of resources, as they argue that social structures and institutions perpetuate inequalities that undermine human dignity and social justice.

Question 14

Socialist economic systems provide for most of the health and welfare needs of citizens.

Accepted Answer

Socialist economic systems prioritize the well-being of citizens and often provide comprehensive health and welfare services.

Question 15

Although most countries have some form of citizen participation, elections are held in a handful of countries.

Accepted Answer

Elections are a common form of citizen participation and are held in the majority of countries around the world as a means to choose leaders and make decisions on public policy.

Question 16

The social philosopher Pareto coined the phrase iron law of oligarchy.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "iron law of oligarchy" was coined by German sociologist Robert Michels, not Vilfredo Pareto. Michels used it to describe the inevitable tendency of complex organizations to become oligarchic in their decision-making processes.

Question 17

Weber used the term authority to refer to legitimate power.

Accepted Answer

Weber used the term authority specifically to refer to power that is recognized as legitimate by those it affects. He distinguished authority from mere power or force, which may not be considered legitimate.

Question 18

The United States is an example of a planned or centralized economic system.

Accepted Answer

The United States has a market or decentralized economic system, where prices and market forces determine the allocation and distribution of goods and services.

Question 19

According to the text, there are more than 200 nation-states in the world today, and all of them are represented in the United Nations.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, there are more...

Question 20

Participation in elections in the United States is the second lowest of the Western democracies.

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Pew Research Center, the United States has the second lowest voter turnout among 35 countries in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which includes other Western democracies.

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