Question 1

Which of the following can be traced to the ancient Greek philosopher,Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed in the concept of individualism, which emphasized the importance of each individual and their unique qualities and abilities. He believed that individuals should be empowered to pursue their own goals and ambitions, rather than being subject to the dictates of the state or society. This philosophy is reflected in his writings on ethics, politics, and economics, and has had a profound influence on Western thought and civilization.

Question 2

Which of the following is most likely to be advocated by individualism?

Accepted Answer

Individualism emphasizes personal autonomy, self-reliance, and free markets as the best means of achieving prosperity and fulfillment. Therefore, advocating for free market ideologies would be consistent with individualism. The other options are more aligned with collectivism, which emphasizes community and shared ownership or control of resources.

Question 3

Which of the following is true about communism?

Accepted Answer

China, once a strict communist state, has moved towards a more market-oriented economy since the late 1970s, embracing what is known as "socialism with Chinese characteristics." This includes the introduction of private ownership and foreign investment, indicating a shift away from strict adherence to communist ideology in the economic sphere. The other options are incorrect: A is a critique of capitalism, not communism; B is untrue, as communism has been in decline since the fall of the Soviet Union; D is incorrect, as many historical communist movements have relied on violent revolution to achieve their goals; and E is wrong, as communism stresses the prioritization of the collective, rather than individual, interests over those of the state.

Question 4

Democracy,in its purest form,is based on the belief that:

Accepted Answer

Democracy believes in direct involvement of citizens in decision making. This means that citizens have a say in the laws and policies that affect their daily lives. Political freedom is also important in a democracy, as citizens should have the right to express their opinions and ideas without fear of retribution. However, democracy does not believe in limited government or unrestricted economic freedom, as the government has a role to play in ensuring the well-being of its citizens and regulating the economy for the common good. Absolute control by one person goes against the principles of democracy.

Question 5

_____ is a form of government in which one person or political party exercises absolute control over all spheres of human life and prohibits opposing political parties.

Accepted Answer

Totalitarianism is defined as a form of government where one person or a political party exercises complete control over all aspects of human life and bans opposing parties. It is characterized by a centralized and dictatorial government that suppresses individual freedoms and civil rights. Capitalism, pure democracy, republicanism, and representative democracy are not necessarily associated with totalitarianism.

Question 6

Which of the following has been advocated by Karl Marx?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx advocated for socialism, where the means of production and distribution are owned and controlled by the community as a whole rather than by private individuals. He rejected capitalism and private profit over public good. He also criticized individualism and believed in the importance of collective action and the common good. He did not support selling state-owned enterprises to private investors.

Question 7

The sale of state-owned enterprises to independent,nonpublic investors is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Privatization refers to the transfer of ownership and control of state-owned enterprises to private investors. This is often done as a way to increase efficiency and encourage economic growth, as private investors have a profit incentive to make the enterprise more productive. Nationalization, on the other hand, refers to the transfer of ownership and control of private enterprises to the state. Collectivism, communalism, and public action refer to broader social and political ideologies related to ownership and control of resources and production.

Question 8

In practical terms,_____ translates into an advocacy for democratic political systems and free market economics,which in general creates the most favorable environment for international businesses to operate in.

Accepted Answer

The statement advocates for democratic political systems and free market economics, which align with the principles of individualism. Collectivism, totalitarianism, communism, and socialism do not prioritize free market economics and may have limitations on political freedoms that may not be favorable for international businesses.

Question 9

When _____ is emphasized,the needs of society as a whole are generally viewed as being more important than individual freedoms.

Accepted Answer

Collectivism prioritizes the needs and goals of the community or society as a whole over individual freedoms and desires. It emphasizes cooperation and working together towards common goals, rather than individualism which focuses on personal achievement and success.

Question 10

In the context of individualism,which of the following is inconsistent with the works of the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle?

Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed in good governance that aimed to promote the common good, and that the state had the responsibility to determine what is in the best interest of society. This is inconsistent with individualism, which places a high value on individual freedom and autonomy. The other options, guaranteeing individual freedom, self-expression, private ownership, and treating individual diversity as desirable, are consistent with individualism and also align with Aristotle's ideas to some extent.

Question 11

In the early twentieth century,the socialist ideology split into two broad camps and the people who believed that socialism could be achieved only through violent revolution and totalitarian dictatorship were referred to as:

Accepted Answer

The group of people who believed in achieving socialism through violent revolution and totalitarian dictatorship were referred to as communists. This ideological split in the early twentieth century led to the formation of Communist parties around the world, which sought to overthrow capitalist governments and establish socialist states.

Question 12

Which of the following terms refers to a political system in which government is by the people,exercised either directly or through elected representatives?

Accepted Answer

Democracy refers to a political system where the power is vested in the people, either through direct participation or indirectly through elected representatives. Despotism, totalitarianism, theocracy, and communism all refer to different forms of government where the power is held by a select few, such as a dictator or ruling class.

Question 13

_____ attempt to achieve the same ideologies as that of the communists without violent revolution and totalitarian dictatorship.

Accepted Answer

Social democrats attempt to achieve many of the same ideologies as communists, such as income equality and social justice, but through peaceful and democratic means rather than violent revolution and dictatorship. They believe in a mixed economy with government intervention to provide social welfare programs and regulate industry. Pure capitalists, individualists, anarchists, and aristocrats do not share these ideologies.

Question 14

In a _____,individuals periodically elected by citizens form a government to make decisions on behalf of the electorate.

Accepted Answer

A representative democracy is a form of government in which representatives who have been elected by citizens make decisions on their behalf. This differs from a pure democracy, in which citizens themselves participate in decision-making, and from various forms of totalitarianism, which are characterized by a lack of free and fair elections and often include repression of dissent.

Question 15

A(n)_____ is a person who believes in public ownership of the means of production for the common good of nation.

Accepted Answer

A socialist is a person who believes in public ownership of the means of production for the common good of the nation. This means that the government or the community should control the production and distribution of goods and services. Socialists believe that this approach can promote equality, reduce poverty, and ensure that everyone has access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and housing.

Question 16

In the country of Normian Republic,an individual's right to own land is restricted to a large extent on the basis that it runs counter to "the common good." In this context,which of the following is most likely to be the political system adopted by Normian Republic?

Accepted Answer

The restriction on individual land ownership in Normian Republic in the interest of the common good indicates a collectivist political ideology where the state or community has more control over resources and decision making rather than individuals.

Question 17

Which of the following is inconsistent with the Marxist philosophy?

Accepted Answer

Marxist philosophy advocates for the collective ownership and control of means of production, which includes state-owned enterprises. Selling state-owned enterprises to private investors goes against this ideology.

Question 18

_____ argued that private property is more highly productive than communal property and will thus stimulate progress.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle argued that private property stimulates progress and is more productive than communal property. He believed that individuals have a natural inclination towards self-interest and motivation to work harder when they own the results of their labor. This idea is known as the "tragedy of the commons," where individuals exploit shared resources when there is no individual ownership.

Question 19

The Cedian government believes that its citizens should have complete freedom in their economic and political pursuits,and the Cedian ideology is "private profit over public good." In this context,it can be said that Cedia most likely follows the philosophy of:

Accepted Answer

Cedia's belief in individual freedom and focus on private profit aligns with the philosophy of individualism. Totalitarianism, socialism, communism, and Marxism all prioritize the collective good over individual freedom and promote greater government control over the economy and political system.

Question 20

Modern socialism traces its intellectual roots to:

Accepted Answer

Modern socialism traces its intellectual roots to Karl Marx and his theories of workers' rights and the struggle between classes.

Quiz 2: National Differences in Political Economy