Question 1

The election of Ronald Reagan served as a catalyst for accelerating the efforts of the Religious Right.

Accepted Answer

Ronald Reagan's election in 1980 energized the Religious Right, aligning with their conservative values and opposition to the social changes of the 1960s and 1970s, thus accelerating their political activism and influence in American politics.

Question 2

Conservatives believe that rich people deserve to be rich, and wealth is a sign of success and reward.

Accepted Answer

Conservatives often view wealth as a result of hard work, talent, and merit, and thus see it as a rightful reward for individual effort and success.

Question 3

In the United States, both liberalism and conservatism developed from a common set of fundamental political principles.

Accepted Answer

Both liberalism and conservatism in the United States have roots in the Enlightenment ideals of liberty, democracy, and equality, which influenced the country's founding documents and principles.

Question 4

Anarchism is founded on the belief that
A) capitalism promotes inequality and should be destroyed.
B) the poor are responsible for their own poverty.
C) opposes the existence of any form of government.
D) government intervention is bad for the economy.
E) equality is a basic human right.

Accepted Answer

Anarchism fundamentally opposes the existence of any form of government, advocating for a society without hierarchical structures or coercive institutions.

Question 5

Liberals believe that government action leads to greater social equality.

Accepted Answer

Liberals generally support the idea that government intervention and policies can help address social inequalities and promote a more equitable society.

Question 6

The idea of the commercial republic was popularized by Adam Smith.

Accepted Answer

The idea of the commercial republic was primarily associated with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison in the context of the United States, focusing on the benefits of commerce and trade for public prosperity and political stability. Adam Smith, while a key figure in economic thought due to his work "The Wealth of Nations," is more directly associated with the principles of free market economics rather than the specific political concept of a commercial republic.

Question 7

John Stuart Mill advocated for an individualist viewpoint that became a key component of liberalism.

Accepted Answer

John Stuart Mill was a prominent philosopher and economist who strongly advocated for individual liberty and autonomy, principles that have become foundational to liberal thought. His works, especially "On Liberty," emphasize the importance of individual rights and freedoms, arguing against the tyranny of the majority and for the protection of individual differences.

Question 8

Compared to many other countries, the political spectrum in the United States is shifted to the right.

Accepted Answer

In the global context, the political spectrum in the United States is generally considered more conservative, with policies and positions that might be considered center or right-wing in the U.S. often aligning with more conservative ideologies compared to many European and other countries' political spectrums.

Question 9

Extreme right-wing ideologies share which of these traits in common?
A) Resistance to any form of government intervention in the economy
B) Fervant patriotism
C) Appeal to popular prejudices and hatred
D) Commitment to social justice
E) Belief in individual rights

Accepted Answer

Extreme right-wing ideologies often appeal to popular prejudices and hatred, as well as fear of the unknown or different.

Question 10

Which of the following would be considered a totalitarian political system?
A) Capitalism
B) Fascism
C) Anarchism
D) Communism
E) Socialism

Accepted Answer

Fascism is a totalitarian political system that emphasizes the importance of the state and the leader.

Question 11

Fascism appeals to people's ideals of nationalism, ethnicity, and/or race.

Accepted Answer

Fascism often emphasizes extreme nationalism, promoting the supremacy of one's own nation, ethnicity, or race over others, and seeks to unify the nation through these ideals.

Question 12

Left-wing ideologies posit a view of human beings living together cooperatively, free from demeaning social divisions.

Accepted Answer

Left-wing ideologies often emphasize equality, social justice, and the idea that societies should work cooperatively to diminish or eliminate class, racial, and other social divisions that they view as unjust or demeaning.

Question 13

Until the twentieth century, monarchism was the most prevalent form of government in the world.

Accepted Answer

Throughout history, especially before the twentieth century, monarchies were the most common form of government, with kings, queens, emperors, and other monarchs ruling over the majority of societies around the world.

Question 14

Liberals generally use the past for guidance when meeting the challenges of the present.

Accepted Answer

Liberals typically advocate for progress and reform, often seeking new solutions rather than relying solely on past practices.

Question 15

What is the term for the filter that we use to interpret events?
A) Social environment
B) Capitalism
C) Ideology
D) Politics
E) Gradualism

Accepted Answer

Ideology refers to the set of beliefs, values, and ideas that individuals and groups use to interpret and understand the world around them. It acts as a filter through which events and experiences are interpreted.

Question 16

Which of the following would favor a public assistance program, cuts in military spending, more regulation of business and industry, and a progressive tax system?
A) Capitalists
B) Liberals
C) Libertarians
D) Marxists
E) Conservatives

Accepted Answer

Liberals generally support public assistance programs, advocate for reduced military spending, favor more regulation of business and industry, and support a progressive tax system where taxes increase with income. These positions align with liberal ideology, which emphasizes social welfare, economic equality, and the protection of civil liberties.

Question 17

Ideology is a set of fixed, predictable ideas on how to serve the public good.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Ideology is a set of fixed, predictable...

Question 18

The modern welfare state is the invention of European social democracy.

Accepted Answer

The modern welfare state, characterized by policies aimed at ensuring universal access to healthcare, education, and social security, largely emerged from the principles of European social democracy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These ideas were particularly influential in shaping the welfare systems of Scandinavian countries, as well as broader European social policy.

Question 19

Aristotle regarded democracy as the best form of government.

Accepted Answer

Aristotle actually considered polity, a mix of democracy and oligarchy, as the best form of government, rather than pure democracy.

Question 20

Communism is the most prevalent and powerful ideology in Europe and Asia today.

Accepted Answer

While communism has played a significant role in the history of some European and Asian countries, today, it is not the most prevalent or powerful ideology across these continents. Many countries in Europe and Asia have adopted various forms of democratic governance and market economies.

Quiz 2: The Idea of the Public Good