Question 1

In contemporary societies the government is called the_____________ and is the political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over the use of force within its territory.

Accepted Answer

The term "government" can refer to many different types of political entities or systems, but "state" is the specific term used to describe the political entity that has a monopoly on legitimate violence within a defined territory. Autocracy refers to a type of government where a single ruler has absolute power, bureaucracy refers to a system of administration or management, and executive branch refers to a specific branch of government responsible for implementing and enforcing laws.

Question 2

The subfield within sociology that focuses on the social circumstances of politics and explores how the political arena and its actors are intertwined with social institutions is called_____________ .

Accepted Answer

The subfield within sociology that focuses on the social circumstances of politics and explores how the political arena and its actors are intertwined with social institutions is called political sociology. A is incorrect because it refers to sociology within the government, which is a different subfield. B is incorrect because institutional sociology focuses on the social structures and processes that shape organizations and institutions, not necessarily politics. D is incorrect because cultural sociology examines cultural norms, meanings, and values.

Question 3

In Weber's work on authority, the term _____________authority refers to power legitimized by law or written rules and regulations.

Accepted Answer

Weber's concept of rational-legal authority refers to power that is legitimized by formal rules and regulations, such as those found in a constitution or legal code, rather than personal characteristics or traditions (charismatic or traditional authority) or coercion (coercive authority).

Question 4

The ideal types of authority identified by Max Weber include_____________ .

Accepted Answer

Max Weber identified three ideal types of authority namely: charismatic, traditional and legal-rational. The option A) charismatic authority is one of the ideal types of authority identified by Max Weber. Charismatic authority is derived from the personal charm or exceptional qualities of an individual. This type of authority is not based on any established rules or traditions but rather on the sheer force of personality of the leader.

Question 5

Although the most basic form of power is physical violence or force, most political leaders prefer to legitimize their power and then have what sociologists call _____________.

Accepted Answer

The most commonly accepted form of power in modern societies is authority, which is the legitimate use of power based on law or moral codes. Control, leverage, and political influence are all forms of power, but they can be seen as less legitimate than authority. Therefore, the best choice is C, authority.

Question 6

_____________is the ability of persons or groups to achieve their goals despite opposition from others. Through the use of persuasion, authority, or force, some people are able to get others to submit to their demands.

Accepted Answer

Power refers to the ability to achieve goals and influence others, even in the face of opposition. Authority refers to the legitimate right to exercise power, while control implies a more complete domination over others. Leverage refers to the strategic use of resources or influence to achieve a desired outcome.

Question 7

Gender, race, and class are closely intertwined with traditional authority. Political scientist Zillah Eisenstein applied the term _____________to the interplay of race and gender that reinforces traditional structures of power in contemporary societies.

Accepted Answer

Zillah Eisenstein applied the term "racialized patriarchy" to the interplay of race and gender that reinforces traditional structures of power in contemporary societies.

Question 8

Weber applied the term_____________ to power legitimized on the basis of a leader's exceptional personal qualities or the demonstration of extraordinary insight and accomplishment that inspire loyalty and obedience from followers.

Accepted Answer

The term "charismatic authority" refers to power that is legitimized based on a leader's extraordinary personal qualities, such as their ability to inspire loyalty and obedience from followers through their personal charisma and exceptional insights and accomplishments. This type of authority is distinct from other forms of power, such as traditional authority that is passed down through generations, coercive authority that is based on the use of fear or force, and rational-legal authority that is based on rules and procedures.

Question 9

_____________is the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between that society and those outside its borders.

Accepted Answer

The term "government" refers to the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between that society and those outside its borders. Governments are responsible for creating, enforcing, and interpreting laws, managing public services such as education and healthcare, and ensuring national security.

Question 10

People are not likely to accept authority as legitimate when_____________ .

Accepted Answer

People are more likely to resist or question the legitimacy of authority when they feel coerced or threatened with physical force, as it undermines the voluntary acceptance of authority.

Question 11

Weber used the term_____________ authority for power that is legitimized on the basis of long-standing custom.

Accepted Answer

Weber used the term "traditional authority" for power that is legitimized on the basis of long-standing custom.

Question 12

_____________authority is held by elected or appointed government officials, but authority is invested in the office, not in the person who holds the office.

Accepted Answer

Rational-legal authority is based on a system of laws and procedures that are highly organized and structured, and it is held by those who have been elected or appointed to a position of authority. The authority is vested in the office itself, rather than in the individual who holds the office. This type of authority is commonly found in modern democracies, where power is based on rule of law and formalized procedures.

Question 13

Weber believed that _____________authority was the only means to attain efficient, flexible, and competent regulation under a rule of law.

Accepted Answer

Weber proposed that rational-legal authority, which is based on a system of laws and procedures, is the most effective way to achieve efficient and competent regulation under the rule of law. Traditional authority is based on custom and past practices, charismatic authority is based on the personal appeal of the leader, and coercive authority is based on the threat of force or punishment.

Question 14

In a system of rational-legal authority, the authority is invested in the_____________ .

Accepted Answer

In a system of rational-legal authority, the authority is invested in the office itself and not in the person holding the office. This means that the officeholder has the authority only because of their position in the office, not by their personal qualities or characteristics. The political party or administrative personnel working for the officeholder do not hold the authority themselves, but may exercise it on behalf of the office.

Question 15

British kings and queens historically traced their authority from God. Weber called this_____________ .

Accepted Answer

Traditional authority is based on customs and traditions, often handed down through generations, as seen in the case of British kings and queens who traced their authority from God. This type of authority relies on the stability of the past and is seen as legitimate because it has always been that way.

Question 16

Individuals such as Adolf Hitler and Martin Luther King, Jr. are examples of _____________leaders.

Accepted Answer

Adolf Hitler and Martin Luther King Jr. are examples of charismatic leaders. Charismatic leaders are the ones who possess extraordinary abilities and traits, such as self-confidence, vision, and the ability to inspire others to follow them passionately. Charismatic leaders are not necessarily popular, but they are quite influential due to their unique personalities and communication skills.

Question 17

The _____________of charisma occurs when charismatic authority is succeeded by a bureaucracy controlled by a rationally established authority or by a combination of traditional and bureaucratic authority.

Accepted Answer

The term used to describe the process of charismatic authority being succeeded by a bureaucracy or a combination of traditional and bureaucratic authority is routinization. Therefore, the correct choice is C - routinization.

Question 18

Rational-legal authority is also known as _____________authority, which is based on an organizational structure that includes a clearly defined division of labor, hierarchy of authority, formal rules, and impersonality.

Accepted Answer

Rational-legal authority is synonymous with bureaucratic authority, as it is based on a strict organizational structure, formal rules, and a clear hierarchy of authority. This type of authority is often seen in government agencies, corporations, and large institutions.

Question 19

Although the U.S. Constitution grants _____________authority to the office of the presidency, a president who fails to uphold the public trust may be removed from office.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution grants rational-legal authority to the office of the presidency, which means that the power of the president comes from the legal system and the Constitution. However, if a president fails to uphold the public trust (i.e. commits high crimes and misdemeanors), they may be removed from office through the process of impeachment and conviction.

Question 20

According to William Domhoff, what is the role of the media in politics?

Accepted Answer

William Domhoff argues that the media tend to reflect the biases of those with the greatest ability to access the media. This means that media coverage is often influenced by powerful individuals or groups, such as politicians, corporations, and interest groups, who have the resources to shape the news agenda and frame political debates. Therefore, media coverage is not necessarily neutral or objective, but rather reflects the interests and perspectives of the most influential actors in society.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Perspective and Research Process