Question 1

The ability of a person or groups to realize their own will in group action even against the resistance of others is referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

Power is defined as the ability of an individual or group to achieve their own goals or enforce their own values, even when facing opposition from others. This concept is central to various fields, including sociology and political science, where it is often discussed in the context of relationships and structures within societies.

Question 2

Which of the following sociologists is responsible for the most common definition of power used in the social sciences today?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber is credited with the most common definition of power in the social sciences, defining it as the ability of an individual or group to achieve their own goals or aims when others are resisting those goals or aims.

Question 3

Leaders of a national government who use police to attempt to control the behavior of individuals are engaging in ______.

Accepted Answer

Leaders of a national government using police to attempt to control the behavior of individuals are engaging in physical force, as police power is a form of physical coercion or force to enforce laws and maintain public order.

Question 4

Leaders of a national government who use the media to attempt to control the behavior of individuals are engaging in ______.

Accepted Answer

Leaders using media to influence or control behavior are engaging in symbolic control, as they are manipulating symbols (in this case, media content) to guide or control actions and perceptions.

Question 5

Leaders of a national government channel their power into laws in an attempt to control the behavior of citizens. The leaders are engaging in ______.

Accepted Answer

Rules of conduct are guidelines and regulations designed to govern behavior, which in the context of a national government, refers to laws aimed at controlling the behavior of citizens.

Question 6

Which of the following theorists believe that those with power over the economy can control government officials and can convince the public that what is good for the rich is good for everyone?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that those with economic power can control government and manipulate public opinion to serve their own interests, often at the expense of the broader population. This perspective emphasizes the inherent inequalities and power struggles within society.

Question 7

Which of the following scenarios reflects a power process at the meso level?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following scenarios reflects a...

Question 8

Which of the following theorists are most interested in how flags and anthems contribute to the power of the state?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on the meanings and symbols that individuals and societies attach to objects, events, and behaviors, such as flags and anthems, and how these symbols contribute to social cohesion, identity, and power structures.

Question 9

Power that is considered legitimate and right by those subject to it is referred to as ______.

Accepted Answer

Authority is the power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience, and it is considered legitimate by those who are subject to it.

Question 10

Which of the following is another word for illegitimate power?

Accepted Answer

Coercion refers to the practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats, which aligns with the concept of illegitimate power, as it implies power exercised through unacceptable or unauthorized means.

Question 11

Which of the following types of authority is held by Queen Elizabeth II, who inherited the throne from her father, King George VI?

Accepted Answer

Queen Elizabeth II's authority is considered traditional because it is derived from long-established customs, practices, and societal structures, specifically the hereditary succession of the monarchy.

Question 12

Which of the following types of authority was held by Cesar Chavez, who was known for his oratory skills and his ability to relate to the masses?

Accepted Answer

Cesar Chavez is best known for his charismatic authority, which stems from his personal qualities, leadership, and ability to inspire and mobilize people through his speeches and actions, particularly in the context of labor rights and advocacy for farm workers.

Question 13

Thirty-five U.S. senators were elected in 2018. What type of authority do they hold?

Accepted Answer

U.S. senators are elected officials who hold their positions due to the legal and institutional framework of the U.S. government, which is an example of rational-legal authority. This type of authority is based on established laws and procedures.

Question 14

Which of the following theorists point out that people tend to vote for their own personal gain, regardless of whether the actions of those in power will be fair to all citizens?

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theorists argue that individuals make decisions based on a rational evaluation of the available choices, often prioritizing their own personal gain or benefit, which includes voting behaviors.

Question 15

Which of the following theorists assert that individuals influence decision-making practices primarily through interest groups?

Accepted Answer

Pluralists argue that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups. They believe that individuals can influence decision-making through these groups, emphasizing the role of organized interests in the political process.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of an interest group in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The National Rifle Association (NRA) is an example of an interest group because it is an organization that seeks to influence public policy and legislation based on specific interests or issues, in this case, gun rights and gun control laws.

Question 17

Which of the following do elite theorists assert?

Accepted Answer

Elite theorists assert that a small group of elites hold significant power, often leading to minimal regulation of business by the government.

Question 18

Political philosopher Robert Michels described the pattern of elite rule as the ______.

Accepted Answer

Michels described the pattern of elite rule as the "iron law of oligarchy," suggesting that all forms of organization, regardless of how democratic they are at the start, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies.

Question 19

Social philosopher Vilfredo Pareto pointed out that abuse of power results in a counter group challenging the elites for power. The cycle continues when the counter group gains power and becomes corrupt. This is known as the ______.

Accepted Answer

Pareto's concept of the "circulation of elites" describes the process by which one elite group is replaced by another, often through a cycle of power gain and corruption, rather than a democratic or meritocratic process.

Question 20

According to C. Wright Mills, which of the following is TRUE of the power elite in the United States?

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills argued that the power elite in the United States wield their power from behind the scenes, influencing major decisions and policies without always being in the public eye.

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