Question 1

Why might even a period of prosperity bring about revolution?

Accepted Answer

As things improve for the poor, their aspirations and expectations rise, and they begin to demand even greater improvements in their living standards, rights, and opportunities. However, if their demands are not met, they may become frustrated and disillusioned with the political and economic system, and see revolution as a means to achieve their goals. Therefore, even a period of prosperity can lead to revolution if it creates unmet expectations and a sense of injustice among the population.

Question 2

In 1976, black students in South Africa's Soweto township protested against the issue of being forced to __________.

Accepted Answer

The black students in South Africa's Soweto township protested against the issue of being forced to learn Afrikaans in school.

Question 3

Fighting between Arabs and Darfuris in Sudan, Sunni and Shia in Iraq, and Tibets and Chinese in Tibet are all examples of __________.

Accepted Answer

Primordial violence refers to violence based on long-standing ethnic or cultural differences, often rooted in history or tradition. The examples given in the question all involve conflicts between different ethnic or religious groups that have deep-rooted historical animosities.

Question 4

Why did the South African government finally begin a dialogue leading to the release of Nelson Mandela from prison in 1990, among other concessions?

Accepted Answer

The escalating violence between armed black South Africans and the government was a major factor that led to the South African government beginning a dialogue with Mandela in the 1990s. This violence was a key factor that made the government realize that its previous apartheid policies and oppressive tactics were unsustainable and that a change was necessary to prevent a potential civil war. The negotiations that followed led to the release of Mandela and the eventual dismantling of apartheid.

Question 5

How is high unemployment relevant to civil conflict?

Accepted Answer

High unemployment rates can lead to economic and social frustrations, especially among young men who may have limited opportunities for work and income. This frustration can make them more prone to participating in civil unrest or conflict.

Question 6

Thousands of __________ occur in China each year in which citizens gather to protest corrupt local officials, the seizure of farmland, toxic factories, or police cover-up of crimes.

Accepted Answer

The term "mass incidents" is widely used in China to refer to protests, demonstrations, and riots that involve a large number of participants. These incidents can be sparked by various issues, such as corruption, land grabs, environmental pollution, and police brutality. According to official statistics, there were more than 90,000 mass incidents in China in 2016 alone, indicating the scale and intensity of social unrest in the country. Therefore, option A is the most appropriate choice as it accurately reflects the nature and frequency of these events.

Question 7

Despite thousands of young black South Africans being willing to risk jail or worse by taking up arms against the whites-only regime, that regime imagined for decades that the massive African majority would __________.

Accepted Answer

The best choice is B - simply keep their place. This is because the whites-only regime was founded on the belief in the superiority of the white race and the subsequent subjugation of other races, particularly the black majority. The regime believed that black South Africans were inherently inferior and lacked the capacity for self-rule, and so they saw no reason why the majority would rebel against a system that supposedly ensured order and stability. Therefore, the regime imagined that the massive African majority would simply keep their place as second-class citizens, accepting their inferior status and not attempting to challenge the status quo. This, of course, proved to be a gross miscalculation, as the black majority eventually rose up against the apartheid system and fought for their rights and freedoms.

Question 8

Until recently, Central America and Southern Africa were home to __________ violence.

Accepted Answer

Both Central America and Southern Africa experienced revolutionary violence in the past.

Question 9

Rarely the work of small bands and conspirators alone, __________ are usually the result of system collapse, which permits small but well-organized groups (often military) to take over.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rarely the work of small bands and...

Question 10

Thinkpieces are often justifiable because we know that many data are __________.

Accepted Answer

There is often flawed data out there, whether it's due to small sample sizes, biased research methods, or other factors. Thinkpieces can help identify these flaws and encourage more rigorous research in the future.

Question 11

Several decades ago political scientists tended to overlook __________.

Accepted Answer

Several decades ago, political scientists tended to overlook the role of violence and upheaval in shaping political systems and behavior, focusing instead on more stable and established forms of government. This narrow approach limited our understanding of the ways in which political change occurs and the variety of factors that can influence it.

Question 12

What was the relationship between the rough handling by army troops of World War I veterans known as the "Bonus Army" and then-President Herbert Hoover's election outcome?

Accepted Answer

The rough treatment of the World War I veterans, known as the Bonus Army, by army troops under Hoover's command led to public revulsion and turned the country against Hoover in the election that fall. The incident became a major campaign issue and was viewed as an example of Hoover's mishandling of the country's economic and social problems. Hoover lost the election in a landslide to Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Question 13

Riots triggered by police beating youths, protests against globalization, and labor strikes against austerity are all examples of __________.

Accepted Answer

Riots, protests, and strikes are all examples of issue-oriented violence, which refers to violence that is motivated by a specific issue or grievance such as police brutality, globalization, or austerity measures. Purely traditional violence refers to violence that is carried out within the context of traditional customs and practices, such as honor killings. Violence carried out by civilian institutions of government refers to state violence, which is violence that is carried out by agents of the government, such as police or military forces. Coups refer to the overthrow of a government by a group of individuals, typically military officers.

Question 14

What is the most common response to serious domestic unrest?

Accepted Answer

In most cases of serious domestic unrest, the government relies on the military to restore order and stability. This option is usually preferred over a revolution, which can lead to further violence and chaos, and a coup d'état, which often results in a change of government without addressing the underlying causes of the unrest. UN diplomatic action may be considered, but it is often less effective in resolving domestic issues and may be perceived as interference in a country's internal affairs.

Question 15

What is the relationship between a high sense of government legitimacy among the people and police officers? Where legitimacy is high __________.

Accepted Answer

When government legitimacy is high, it means that people trust and have faith in the government and its institutions, including the police. This leads to fewer incidents of crime and disorder, and fewer police are needed to maintain order, as citizens are more likely to follow the law and cooperate with law enforcement. Therefore, the relationship between high government legitimacy and police officers is that in this scenario, fewer police are needed, not because they are using a heavy hand or because spending is low, but because citizens are willing to comply with the law voluntarily.

Question 16

Describe what can often happen in a changing society when, during times of prosperity, some people get rich faster than others.

Accepted Answer

When some people get rich faster than others during times of prosperity, it often leads to jealousy among those who feel left behind or unfairly treated. This can create social tensions and resentment towards the wealthy.

Question 17

At the 1968 Democratic convention, Chicago police attacked __________ protestors, as well as many who just happened to be passing.

Accepted Answer

The 1968 Democratic convention was highly controversial and protested by various groups, including anti-Vietnam War activists. The Chicago police responded with violence, attacking not only the protestors but also innocent bystanders.

Question 18

What was the consequence of the separatist Ibo attempting to break away from Nigeria with their new state of Biafra in the late 1960s?

Accepted Answer

The consequence of the separatist Ibo attempting to break away from Nigeria with their new state of Biafra in the late 1960s was that the Ibo were defeated in a lengthy, costly war. This war, known as the Nigerian Civil War or the Biafran War, lasted from 1967 to 1970 and resulted in significant loss of life, with estimates ranging from 1 to 3 million people. The Nigerian government was aided by foreign support, including from the Soviet Union and Britain, and eventually succeeded in quashing the secessionist movement.

Question 19

What did anthropologist Eric R.Wolf argue regarding societal changes?

Accepted Answer

Eric R. Wolf argued that the transition from subsistence farming to market-dependent cash cropping impoverished many peasants and contributed to their radicalization, leading them towards revolutionary activities. This perspective emphasizes the socio-economic pressures and inequalities that can drive societal change and conflict.

Question 20

Why did Hubert Humphrey lose the election to Richard Nixon in 1968?

Accepted Answer

Hubert Humphrey's ambiguous position on the Vietnam War hurt his chances of winning the election. While he did support President Johnson's policy of gradually withdrawing troops, he also expressed a desire to negotiate a peace settlement. This made him appear to be indecisive and weak on foreign policy, which was a major concern for many voters during the Cold War era. Additionally, his association with the Johnson administration and its unpopular policies, including the Vietnam War, also contributed to his loss.

Quiz 17: Violence and Revolution