Question 1

Which of these is not one of the four main functions of government?

Accepted Answer

The four main functions of government are maintaining law and order, planning and directing society, handling international relations (including warfare), and providing public services. Ensuring positive family relationships is not a function typically associated with government.

Question 2

A _______________is an organization whose purpose is to gain and hold legitimate control of government; it is usually composed of people with similar attitudes, interests, and socioeconomic status.

Accepted Answer

A political party is an organization that seeks to gain and hold legitimate control of government. Political parties are typically composed of individuals with similar beliefs, interests, and socioeconomic status who work together to promote their shared goals and values.

Question 3

Sociologist _______________applied the term power elite to the most powerful in society, who are those at the top of business, the executive branch of the federal government, and the military.

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills applied the term power elite to the most powerful in society, who are those at the top of business, the executive branch of the federal government, and the military.

Question 4

The pluralist model is rooted in a _______________perspective, which assumes that people in a nation share a consensus on central concerns and that the government provides services that no other institution can fulfill.

Accepted Answer

The pluralist model is rooted in a functionalist perspective, which assumes that people in a nation share a consensus on central concerns and that the government provides services that no other institution can fulfill. It emphasizes the importance of a stable, ordered society in which each institution has a distinct role to play.

Question 5

The _______________make(s) up the middle level of C. Wright Mill's pyramidal model of the power elite.

Accepted Answer

The middle level of C. Wright Mills' pyramidal model of the power elite includes the legislative branch, special interest groups, and local opinion leaders, as these groups have significant influence but do not hold the topmost power, which is reserved for the corporate rich and political elite.

Question 6

_______________are political coalitions made up of individuals or groups that share a specific interest they wish to protect or advance within the political system.

Accepted Answer

Special interest groups are organizations or coalitions that form around a shared interest or concern, whether it be related to social issues, environmental concerns, economic interests, or other advocacy goals. They seek to influence the political process and public policy in order to advance their specific interests or agendas. Political action committees are a type of special interest group that focuses on contributing funds to political candidates or campaigns that support their positions. Power elites and classes are not necessarily always associated with specific interest groups.

Question 7

What percentage of the U.S. voting-age population is involved in the political process beyond simply voting?

Accepted Answer

Studies and surveys typically find that a smaller portion of the U.S. voting-age population engages in political activities beyond voting, such as attending political meetings, working in campaigns, or participating in organized protests. While the exact percentage can vary depending on the criteria used and the political climate of a given time, a figure around 10 percent is a reasonable estimate for those who are more actively involved in the political process beyond just casting a vote.

Question 8

According to sociologist_______________ , the purpose of government is to socialize people to be good citizens, to regulate the economy so that it operates effectively, and to provide necessary services for citizens.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim believed that the purpose of government was to socialize individuals to become good citizens, regulate the economy so that it functions effectively, and provide essential services to citizens. Durkheim perceived society as an organic entity and believed that the government served as a collective consciousness that brought individuals together to work towards common goals.

Question 9

William Domhoff used the term _______________to refer to a small, fixed, privileged group of people with the power to constrain the political system and serve the interests of capitalism.

Accepted Answer

William Domhoff used the term "ruling class" to describe a small, privileged group that has significant power in the political system, primarily serving the interests of capitalism. This concept is central to his analysis of power structures in the United States.

Question 10

Although_______________ theorists acknowledge that there are many purposes of government, they also believe that government primarily works in the interests of the wealthy or politically powerful elites in society.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists view society as a struggle for resources and power between different groups. They argue that the powerful elites use their influence to shape government policy to benefit their interests. Therefore, although government may serve various functions, conflict theorists believe its primary purpose is to maintain the dominance of the wealthy and politically powerful.

Question 11

In the United States, the political system is a(n)_______________ in which people have a voice in the government elected representatives who serve as bridges between themselves and the government.

Accepted Answer

The description suggests a representative democracy, where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf in government. This is different from a direct participatory democracy, where citizens directly participate in the decision-making process. "Symbolic democracy" and "independent involvement democracy" are not commonly used terms to describe types of democracy.

Question 12

The corporate rich influence the political system by_______________ .

Accepted Answer

The corporate rich tend to have more power and resources than the average citizen, which means they can use their influence to sway politicians and policies in their favor. This can include lobbying for certain positions, donating to political campaigns, and even holding positions within the government itself. As a result, the corporate rich can dominate the federal government and wield significant power over the political system.

Question 13

Within the conflict perspective, the _______________model highlights how power in political systems is concentrated in the hands of a small group and the masses are relatively powerless.

Accepted Answer

The elite model highlights the concentration of power in the hands of a small group, often referred to as the ruling elite, while the masses have little to no power in comparison. This perspective is in line with the conflict theory, which emphasizes power struggles and social inequalities between different groups in society. The pluralist model, in contrast, suggests that power is more widely distributed among various interest groups, while the ruling class model specifically focuses on the dominant role of economic elites in shaping political decisions.

Question 14

Citizen groups such as the American Conservative Union and the Population Connection are examples of __________.

Accepted Answer

Citizen groups, also known as interest groups, are organizations that seek to influence government policy and actions. The American Conservative Union and the Population Connection are both examples of interest groups that advocate for specific issues and causes. Choice B (power elites) and C (ruling class) refer to small, influential groups of people who hold significant power and influence in society, while choice D (political action committees) are specific types of interest groups that raise and donate money to political campaigns.

Question 15

Political parties create a_______________ , which is a formal statement of the party's political positions on various social and economic issues.

Accepted Answer

Political parties create a platform, which is a formal statement of the party's political positions on various social and economic issues.

Question 16

The U.S. Constitution requires that each state have_______________ senators and a minimum of _______________member(s) in the House of Representatives. The current size of the House of Representatives has not changed since the apportionment following the 1910 census.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution requires that each state have two senators and a minimum of one member in the House of Representatives. The current size of the House of Representatives has not changed since the apportionment following the 1910 census. Therefore, choice D is the correct answer.

Question 17

Political _______________is the process by which people learn political attitudes, values, and behavior.

Accepted Answer

Political socialization refers to the process through which individuals acquire political attitudes, values, and behavior. It is a lifelong process that occurs through various agents of socialization, such as family, schools, peers, media, and religious institutions. Political socialization is important because it shapes individuals' political beliefs and influences their participation in politics.

Question 18

In a(n)_______________ model, the needs and interests of widely divergent groups are met by the government through a process of accommodation and negotiation. Power in political systems is widely dispersed and shared among many competing interest groups.

Accepted Answer

A pluralist model is based on the idea that power is widely distributed among different interest groups and individuals, with no one group or individual having overwhelming power. The government in this model functions as a mediator between these groups, negotiating compromises and accommodations to address their varied needs and interests. This is in contrast to an elite model, in which power is concentrated in the hands of a few individuals or groups, or a ruling class model, in which power is held exclusively by a privileged few. The distributive model is a specific form of the pluralist model, focused on the distribution of resources and benefits within society.

Question 19

_______________are organizations of special interest groups that solicit contributions from donors and fund campaigns to help elect (or defeat) candidates who share (or oppose) their stances on specific issues.

Accepted Answer

Political action committees (PACs) are organizations that raise money from donors to fund campaigns for candidates who share their positions on issues. PACs are a type of interest group and are regulated by campaign finance laws. They can support or oppose candidates for federal office, but cannot contribute directly to candidates' campaigns.

Question 20

The _______________make(s) up the top level of C. Wright Mill's pyramidal model of the power elite.

Accepted Answer

According to C. Wright Mills, the top level of the power elite comprises the corporate rich who have significant control over the economy, government policies, and media. The other options listed may have some level of power and influence, but they do not make up the top level of the power elite as described by Mills.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Perspective and Research Process