Question 1

Marx-inspired critiques of political economy argue that persistent inequalities exist between ____________.

Accepted Answer

Marx-inspired critiques often focus on the persistent inequalities that exist between different countries and social groups, highlighting how these disparities are maintained and exacerbated by the structures of capitalism.

Question 2

Praxis is ____________________.

Accepted Answer

Praxis refers to the concept that theory and practice are interconnected and cannot be separated. It emphasizes the importance of applying theoretical knowledge in practical situations and vice versa, suggesting a continuous interaction between the two.

Question 3

Critical political economy focuses on questions such as_____________.

Accepted Answer

Critical political economy examines the underlying power structures and inequalities in the distribution of wealth and resources, focusing on issues such as excessive wealth, privilege, and how wealth is created and distributed.

Question 4

Which historical factor(s) help to explain the rise of "the development project"?

Accepted Answer

The rise of "the development project" can be attributed to a combination of factors including the Marshall Plan, which aimed to rebuild Europe after World War II and is often cited as an early example of a development aid program; Cold War ideology, which motivated both the United States and the Soviet Union to extend aid to other countries in an effort to spread their respective ideologies and gain allies; and the push for independence from colonial rule, during which newly independent countries sought economic development as a means to solidify their sovereignty and improve the well-being of their citizens.

Question 5

Before the advent of capitalism, most land in England was held in common. This meant that ____________.

Accepted Answer

Before the advent of capitalism, most land in England was held in common, meaning it was owned by communities. Members of these communities had the right to farm the land and extract resources like firewood, reflecting a communal approach to land use and ownership.

Question 6

According to Marx, "exploitation" is _____________.

Accepted Answer

Marx's concept of exploitation involves the extraction of surplus value from labor, where workers produce more value than they receive in wages, and this surplus value is appropriated by the capitalist. This process means workers are creating value not for themselves but for their employer, making both C and D correct interpretations of Marx's view on exploitation.

Question 7

Statistics presented by organisations such as the United Nations and the World Bank purport to represent class, but this should be more accurately labelled "socio-economic status" because __________________.

Accepted Answer

Socio-economic status is a broader concept that encompasses not just wealth, but also how it is generated and by whom, which is not directly addressed by class categorizations typically used by organizations like the United Nations and the World Bank.

Question 8

Which of the people in the following scenarios would be considered traditional capitalists?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the people in the following...

Question 9

Trade unions _______________.

Accepted Answer

Trade unions were indeed developed for multiple reasons: to counterbalance capitalists' desire to increase production and drive down wages, to protect workers' rights and working conditions, to be militant in new areas of capitalist accumulation, and to ensure workers gain a greater share of the profit they produce.

Question 10

China has notably increased wealth since 2000, thus catching up with the rest of the world. Political theorists argue this is problematic because _____________.

Accepted Answer

The increase in wealth in China has led to both an increase in socio-economic inequality and rapid environmental degradation, which are common concerns among political theorists and economists when discussing the consequences of rapid economic growth.

Question 11

According to Marxist theory, imperialism and colonialism __________.

Accepted Answer

Imperialism refers to the ideology or policy of extending a country's power and influence through diplomacy or military force, while colonialism is the practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically. Thus, imperialism can be seen as the broader concept that includes the idea or motive behind extending a country's influence, and colonialism is one way that imperialism can be practiced.

Question 12

Walter Rodney used a "balance sheet of colonialism" to posit that ____________.

Accepted Answer

Walter Rodney argued that the capitalist exploits of Europe, through colonialism, were a major factor in the underdevelopment of African countries, highlighting the exploitative nature of colonialism and its long-term negative impacts on the continent.

Question 13

Neo-colonialism is similar to older forms of colonialism except ___________.

Accepted Answer

Neo-colonialism differs from older forms of colonialism in that it often involves less military intervention, less direct rule, and more control through economic means such as markets, making it generally less costly for the controlling nation.

Question 14

The concept of race in what is now the United States emerged ____________.

Accepted Answer

The concept of race in what is now the United States emerged as a way to justify the forced labor of African slaves, especially after other forms of indentured labor by European descendants diminished. This justification became necessary to maintain the social and economic structures built on slavery.

Question 15

Critical race theorists talk about "racialization" and "racialized" peoples rather than race because _____________.

Accepted Answer

Racialization is a continuing process and is not strictly related to skin colour.

Question 16

Ellen Meiksins Wood argues that ___________.

Accepted Answer

Ellen Meiksins Wood emphasizes the importance of understanding the dynamics within imperialist countries to grasp the nature of colonialism. She argues that the internal developments, interests, and conflicts within these countries significantly shape their colonial strategies and policies.

Question 17

Self-determination, in the context of Indigenous peoples, means ___________.

Accepted Answer

Self-determination for Indigenous peoples refers to their right to freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development, including establishing and running their own systems as mentioned in option C.

Question 18

The "white-man's burden" refers to ____________.

Accepted Answer

The term "white-man's burden" reflects the colonial justification that Europeans had a duty or burden to civilize and bring progress to non-European peoples, often used to rationalize colonialism and imperialism.

Question 19

Socialist feminists argue that _______________.

Accepted Answer

Socialist feminists believe in a comprehensive approach to achieving equality, which includes ensuring legal rights for all women, decommodifying basic services to remove them from the capitalist market, and understanding that various forms of oppression and exploitation are interconnected.

Question 20

The International Women's Strike was born out of____________.

Accepted Answer

The International Women's Strike originated from a combination of factors, including local struggles in South America (specifically Argentina) and Europe (specifically Poland), opposition to gender-based violence, and opposition to the criminalization of abortions. These diverse issues collectively fueled the movement, highlighting its multifaceted nature and global resonance.

Quiz 4: The Critical Political Economy of Development