Question 1

On which point would François-Noël Babeuf and Robert Owen disagree with each other?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

Which of the following is synonymous with scientific socialism?

Accepted Answer

Scientific socialism is a term used to describe the social and economic theories put forward by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels. Marxism is another term used to describe the same set of ideas. Utopian socialism, syndicalism, and anarchism are all distinct ideological movements that have their own distinct theories and practices.

Question 3

What is the most fundamental difference between socialist thought,and modern social-democratic parties?

Accepted Answer

The most fundamental difference between socialist thought and modern social-democratic parties is that socialist thought calls for an end to the market economy, whereas social democratic parties try to use the market to achieve their objectives. Socialists argue that the market system inevitably leads to inequality and exploitation, and they advocate for the nationalization of key industries and the centralization of economic planning to ensure that resources are distributed fairly. In contrast, social-democratic parties accept the market system but seek to temper its harsher effects through progressive taxation, welfare programs, and regulations that protect workers and consumers.

Question 4

Which tenet of communism would social democrats be least likely to favour?

Accepted Answer

Social democrats are committed to democratic institutions, which is the opposite of a proletarian dictatorship. Therefore, social democrats are least likely to favor the tenet of communism that advocates for a dictatorship of the proletariat.

Question 5

Which term did Marx and Engels use to refer to the owners of the means of production?

Accepted Answer

Marx and Engels used the term "bourgeoisie" to refer to the owners of the means of production. The bourgeoisie are the wealthy class who control the resources and production processes in society, while the proletariat are the working class who sell their labor power to the bourgeoisie for wages.

Question 6

If Karl Marx were to visit Canada,which of the following modern-day professions would he be MOST supportive of,given the logic of "alienation"?

Accepted Answer

Marx's concept of alienation refers to the estrangement of workers from their labor and its products in a capitalist society. A theatre actor, who often has more creative control and personal expression in their work, would likely experience less alienation compared to other professions where workers might be more disconnected from the end product of their labor.

Question 7

The Cominform (Communist Information Bureau)was created in 1947.Which organization replaced it in 1956?

Accepted Answer

The Cominform was disbanded in 1956 and was replaced by the Warsaw Treaty Organization. The other choices are not relevant replacements for the Cominform. The Comintern, or Communist International, was dissolved in 1943, the Third International does not exist, and the Second International was dissolved in 1940.

Question 8

In Canada,the Hutterites would fit most closely with the ideas of which thinker?

Accepted Answer

Charles Fourier was a 19th-century French philosopher and social theorist who advocated for a socialist and utopian society based on communal living arrangements called "phalanxes." These phalanxes were meant to be self-sufficient and self-governed, with work and resources shared equally among all members. The Hutterites, like Fourier, also embrace communal living and sharing of resources, making his ideas the closest match to their beliefs. Babeuf, Plato, and Engels had different views on social and economic organization that do not align as closely with the Hutterites.

Question 9

What does the term "proletariat" refer to?

Accepted Answer

The term "proletariat" refers to the industrial working class who sell their labor for wages.

Question 10

What was the International Workingmen's Association (1864-1872)more commonly known as?

Accepted Answer

The International Workingmen's Association is more commonly known as the First International.

Question 11

Which term is used to describe the hitherto unparalleled concentration of state ownership,control,and power in the former Soviet Union?

Accepted Answer

Totalitarianism is a political system characterized by a centralized government that does not tolerate opposition and exercises an extremely high degree of control over all aspects of society, including the economy. The former Soviet Union under Stalin's rule was a classic example of totalitarianism, with state ownership and control over all industries and resources. Proletarianism, planning, and socialism are all concepts associated with Marxist ideology, but do not specifically describe the unique features of the Soviet system.

Question 12

The concept of common ownership of property has ancient philosophical roots.In which book is it advocated?

Accepted Answer

The concept of common ownership of property is advocated in Plato's Republic. In the book, Plato argues that the ideal society would be one in which property is owned communally, rather than by individuals. This is meant to promote equality and prevent the concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few.

Question 13

What was one of the things that the Communist Manifesto of 1848 did NOT advocate?

Accepted Answer

The Communist Manifesto advocated for free education, abolition of the right of inheritance, and a progressive income tax. However, it did not advocate for the confiscation of luxury items by the state.

Question 14

What is the most fundamental assumption that all of socialism rests on?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the most fundamental assumption that...

Question 15

Which contemporary example of socialist political action is most similar to the experiences of the Second International?

Accepted Answer

The experience of the Second International was characterized by socialist parties gaining political power through democratic means, such as winning seats in parliaments and advocating for social reforms. Similarly, the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) in Canada won seats in the House of Commons in the 1940s and advocated for progressive social policies, such as public healthcare and affordable housing. This mirrors the socialist political action of the Second International. The other options do not fit this criteria as closely.

Question 16

After Lenin took power in Russia,those who approved of him and his methods formed communist parties in many countries.What else did they form?

Accepted Answer

After Lenin took power in Russia, those who approved of him and his methods formed the Communist International, also known as Comintern, in 1919. The organization worked to promote Communism around the world and support Communist parties in other countries.

Question 17

Which of the following examples would NOT fit in a socialist society?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following examples would NOT...

Question 18

The Second International saw the emergence of socialist political parties that succeeded in making inroads into democratic processes.What was perhaps the most significant contributing factor to the direction the movement took?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Second International saw the emergence of...

Question 19

Which thinker would François-Noël Babeuf most likely align himself with?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which thinker would François-Noël Babeuf most likely...

Question 20

Who wrote the Communist Manifesto?

Accepted Answer

The Communist Manifesto was written by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1848.

Quiz 12: Socialism and Communism