Deck 1: The Irony of Democracy

Question 1

Which of the following people would be considered part of the ruling elite?

A) Martin Luther King, Jr.
B) Herman Melville
C) Barack Obama
D) Margaret Mead

Answer 1

C

Question 2

___________ guarantees every person life, liberty, and the right to property.

A) Pluralism
B) Elite theory
C) Democracy
D) "Natural law"

Answer 2

D

Question 3

What is the "irony of democracy"?

A) The fact that all democracies have a ruling class of elites.
B) Democracy requires the masses to overthrow the elites.
C) Democracy depends on elites governing wisely with little or no mass input.
D) There is no such thing as democracy

Answer 3

C

Question 4

What is the "iron law of oligarchy"?

A) The notion that in any organization, power is in the hands of the few
B) The idea that elites should rule society because they are better able to do so
C) The philosophy that masses should obey because they are stupid and lazy
D) The theory that elites get their power from manufacturing

Question 5

Which type of democracy is exhibited by the current United States government?

A) direct
B) participatory
C) representative
D) mandatory

Question 6

Elite power primarily consists of which of the following?

A) the control of economic resources.
B) the tight control of the mass media.
C) the ability to achieve goals, regardless of the impact on the masses.
D) the oppression of the masses.

Question 7

Power is defined as _______________ in the decisions that shape our lives.

A) ceremonial participation
B) electoral participation
C) universal participation
D) meaningful participation

Question 8

Elite theory was conceptualized by which of the following political scientists?

A) Gaetano Mosca
B) John Locke
C) Thomas Jefferson
D) Thomas Hobbes

Question 9

Elite theory, or elitism, is the basic notion that within the government, ________________

A) exists a normative endorsement of elite rule.
B) elite behavior is an acceptable means of politics.
C) elites oppress and exploit the masses in the pursuit of power.
D) there are few with power who control all decisions.

Question 10

Which philosopher theorized that every person was given certain rights that the government could not legally take?

A) John Stuart Mill
B) Thomas Hobbes
C) John Locke
D) James Madison

Question 11

The underlying value in almost any modern understanding of democracy is

A) elite rule.
B) mass activism.
C) individual dignity.
D) equality of outcome.

Question 12

In the United States, the masses are _____________________________

A) normally apathetic and ill-informed about politics and public policy.
B) exhibit a surprisingly strong and universal commitment to democratic values.
C) better educated and informed than elites.
D) poor and uneducated citizens with no knowledge of the government.

Question 13

In elite theory, masses are seen as ____________________________.

A) passive.
B) apathetic.
C) ill-informed.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 14

"Circulation of elites" is characterized by which of the following?

A) The slow and continuous assimilation of new elites into the system
B) The promotion of change in the ruling group.
C) Reaching out by elites to similar elite groups in society.
D) A complete shift in the group forming the ruling elite within the government.

Question 15

Elites in America are disproportionately from which of the following groups?

A) The educated
B) The poor
C) Liberals
D) Women

Question 16

Which is not a consensus value in American democracy?

A) Private property
B) Limited government
C) Equality of outcome
D) Individual liberty

Question 17

According to elite theory, in any organization, there will always be _____________________.

A) the few who rule and the many who protest.
B) numerous competing elites.
C) an elite class forming an oligarchy.
D) corruption that comes with power.

Question 18

This theory of democracy is based on the idea that a small group of people are ultimately in control of the government.

A) traditional
B) elite
C) pluralistic
D) substantive democracy

Question 19

The Ruling Elite allow those groups who are upwardly mobile in order to _______________.

A) to promote social stability.
B) to divert potentially revolutionary leaders.
C) maintain the stability of the elite system itself.
D) All of the above

Question 20

The Founding Fathers of the United States believed that direct democracy and "unrestrained" majorities would result in _________________________.

A) the abuse of minorities.
B) attacks on unpopular or despised individuals and groups.
C) threats to individual liberty.
D) all of the above.

Question 21

Applying the pluralist approach, which of the following explains the direction of influence on public policy?

A) Elites influence the masses to make them believe a policy choice is good.
B) Interest groups work to influence public policy to favor their interests.
C) Masses influence the elites to make the best public policy for the general public.
D) Elites influence the masses through interest groups for their own good.

Question 22

Valuable resources such as wealth, status, and celebrity are granted or withheld as the exercise of

A) media control.
B) elitism.
C) power.
D) mass repression.

Question 23

What is "elite distemper"?

A) Elite repression of mass activism
B) Elites acting in a narrow, self-serving manner
C) Elites playing favorites among interest groups
D) Elites catching sicknesses from dogs

Question 24

Based on Elite theory, power and influence go from the ____________ to the masses.

Question 25

In addition to preserving the system, the goal of the Elites is ________________.

Question 26

The idea that elites must govern wisely if government by the people is to survive is known as ____________________.

Question 27

The relative autonomy of elites means

A) elites agree on all matters in U.S. policy.
B) that each segment of the elite is relatively independent of the others and is able to pursue its own interests.
C) elites are entirely autonomous from the masses.
D) elites can disagree on foreign policy but never on immigration policy.

Question 28

Masses are dangerously vulnerable to appeals of

A) intolerance.
B) racial hatred.
C) class antagonisms.
D) all of the above.

Question 29

The predominant model of government power found in the United States is ______________.

A) the unitary model.
B) the nationalism model.
C) the ruling elite model
D) the plural elite model.

Question 30

Which of the following is not a threat to democracy?

A) Elite misdeeds
B) Elite repression of the masses
C) Mass activism
D) Mass political participation

Question 31

Mass-oriented leaders who express hostility toward the established order

A) are called demagogues.
B) are welcomed into the U.S. elite system.
C) are generally not successful in generating mass support.
D) often condemn the use of violence and mass repression.

Question 32

Demagogues are

A) mass-oriented leaders who express hostility toward the established order.
B) right-wing counter-elites who talk of "The will of the people."
C) left-wing radicals who talk of "Power to the people."
D) all of the above.

Question 33

The statement "He who says organization, says oligarchy" was coined by ___________________.

Question 34

______________ Elites are subject to little direct influence from the apathetic masses.

Question 35

According to Elitism, _____________ has the power through ______________.

A) masses; competition
B) elites; cooperation
C) masses; cooperation
D) elites; competition

Question 36

According to elitism, public policy is a result of ____________________.

A) Elite interaction
B) Interests by large institutions
C) Elite self-interest
D) Mass demands

Question 37

In any democracy, elites only engage in repression of the masses for what purpose?

A) For the pleasure of acquiring power over the masses and subjecting them to repressive measures
B) To preserve democratic values
C) To preserve their power in the government
D) As an attempt to protect the country from an outside influence.

Question 38

Mass activism causes elite repression due to the fact that mass political movements often ______________________________________.

A) give rise to hatred and violates the system's democratic values.
B) calm fears and return the system to balance.
C) encourage tolerance of unpopular beliefs and practices.
D) give rise to unity, as demonstrated by the United States after the 9/11 attacks.

Question 39

Pluralism is defined as _______________________.

A) A system of government where many groups compete and bargain to determine public policy
B) A system of government where many groups work together to promote mutual interests
C) A system of government that helps elites manipulate the masses
D) Many interest groups vying for control of the government.

Question 40

Based on polling data, roughly what percent of Americans believe that their opinion is irrelevant to the elites or the government?

A) 40 %
B) 43%
C) 46%
D) 49%

Question 41

The assimilation of new members into the elite helps the system siphon off revolutionaries.

Question 42

The concept of individuals being able to develop their own social, economic, and political capabilities is____________________.

Question 43

Although it is not considered strategically possible, allowing voters opportunity to vote on specific issues or legislation is a type of ______________ democracy.

Question 44

John Locke's principle of natural law includes the rights to life, liberty, and ____________________.

Question 45

________________ , one of the Founding Fathers, believed that the government must guard against the "Tyranny of the Majority."

Question 46

Democracy relies on the consent of the governed in a _________________ democracy.

Question 47

"You scratch my back and I'll scratch your back" is an accommodation according to ______________.

Question 48

Elites disagree about the "ends," or political policy, and agree on the "means," or the intricate details and implementation of the policy.

Question 49

The key difference between democratic states (United States) and totalitarian states (Baathiat Iraq) is ________________.

Question 50

The notion that the government is responsible to ensure equality across social, economic, and political capabilities for all people is _________________.

Question 51

Short-sighted and self-interested behavior that undermines popular support for the political system can be called elite________________________.

Question 52

____________________ is defined as the ability to influence people and events by granting or withholding valuable resources.

Question 53

____________________ is the theory of politics that views society as being divided up into groups with competing demands.

Question 54

The plural elite model views _________________as more widely shared among leadership groups representing different segments of society.

Question 55

In order to pursue their own interests, elites are _______________ groups across government, economic, media, and cultural characteristics.

Question 56

Bill Gates would be considered an Elite in the United States.

Question 57

The term "circulation of elites" refers to elites moving from one position of power to another.

Question 58

Elites typically exclude individuals who are lower or middle class. .

Question 59

The term for multiple elites that compete and are largely independent of each other is ____________________.

Question 60

The implementation of programs such as "diversity" or "sensitivity" training at university is an example of ____________________.

Question 61

Explain the major tenants of Elite Theory and Pluralism.

Question 62

Elites are generally more willing than the masses to show tolerance to despised or obnoxious groups or individuals.

Question 63

The authors consistently use the phrase "the irony of democracy." Explain this concept using Elite theory and how the government interacts with the masses at large.

Question 64

Mass activism has little effect on the behavior and subsequent policy choices of the elites. .

Question 65

Pluralism contends that competition among leadership groups protects the individual.

Question 66

What is political power in the United States? How is power exercised in our democratic government?

Question 67

The Ruling Elite Model states that power is widely shared among groups representing different groups.

Question 68

Elite distemper results when the elites look beyond short-sighted, self-interests and make political decisions based on the broader, shared values of society.

Question 69

Which theory of democracy is the most applicable to the United States government today - Elite theory or Pluralism? Explain how and why the government more closely follows this model of democracy.

Question 70

Based on pluralism, the masses affect politics through elite interaction rather than individual participation.

Question 71

Representative government is based on consent of the governed within a given country, state, or local jurisdiction.

Question 72

Direct democracy is not feasible Due to the number of people participating in the system.

Question 73

Most democracies utilize majority rule with minority rights.

Question 74

Elites manipulate the masses in order to preserve their own power positions.

Question 75

Democracy is in peril when the masses lose confidence in the elites and their ability to make wise decisions.

Question 76

Despite United States leadership being from a specific limited group, pluralists argue this does not preclude "those" leaders from making decision in the masses' interests.

Question 77

Elitism holds that the elite are more likely to manipulate each other than the masses.

Question 78

What are the major differences between the ruling elite model and the plural elite model?

Question 79

The United States Constitution allows for national popular referendums as do many states.

Question 80

The United States focuses on equality of opportunity rather than equality of outcome.