Question 1

Adam Smith's view of modern economies is described best by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Adam Smith's view of modern economies is best described by the argument that competition led to the creation of wealth. This is evident from his seminal work, "The Wealth of Nations," where he outlined his belief that a free market economy, driven by competition, was the best mechanism for generating economic growth and prosperity.

Question 2

According to Karl Marx, which of the following would eventually be the root cause of the end of capitalism and the emergence of socialism?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the growing conflict between the working class (proletariat) and the capitalists (bourgeoisie) would eventually lead to revolution and the overthrow of capitalism. He argued that the exploitation of the working class by the capitalists would become so extreme that the working class would be forced to rise up and seize control of the means of production, leading to the establishment of socialism. The other options (A, B, and C) may contribute to problems within capitalism, but they do not represent the central conflict between the working class and capitalists that Marx believed would lead to the end of capitalism.

Question 3

The approach recommended by the consultant hired by Health Central (see Q. 18) would best be described as reflecting which of the following perspectives on the sociology of work?

Accepted Answer

D

Question 4

Which of the following social theorists best predicted what happened in Russia in 1917?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx was the social theorist who predicted the revolution in Russia in 1917. Marx's predictions were based on his theories about the inevitable class struggle between the working class and the bourgeoisie, and he believed that this struggle would eventually lead to a socialist revolution. The Bolshevik Revolution in Russia was seen as a real-life example of Marx's predictions.

Question 5

Based on Q. 5 (above), which of the following best describes Russia in the late 1800s?

Accepted Answer

The description of Russia in the late 1800s as having a growing industrial sector and the beginning of the capitalist mode of production aligns with the characteristics of industrial capitalism.

Question 6

Which of the following assumptions is most central to Émile Durkheim's assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labour?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that the division of labor creates social solidarity by requiring workers to recognize their interdependence on others who perform different tasks. This assumption is most central to his assessment of the positive social outcomes of the division of labor.

Question 7

Which of the following best describes Russia throughout most of the 1900s?

Accepted Answer

Throughout most of the 1900s, Russia was under the control of the Soviet Union, which practiced state socialism. The government owned and controlled the means of production, distribution, and exchange, with the goal of achieving a classless society and economic equality. Private ownership of property was abolished, and the state directed all economic activity.

Question 8

Compared to the era of industrial capitalism in western Europe, which of the following characterized feudal society?

Accepted Answer

Feudal society had a much lower emphasis on wage labor as most work was done through the system of serfdom, where peasants were tied to the land and worked for their lord in exchange for protection and some subsistence. Industrial capitalism, on the other hand, relied heavily on wage labor as a means of production.

Question 9

Adam Smith argued that an extensive division of labour could lead to immense increases in productivity in a factory setting. What did Charles Babbage propose to further increase profits for factory owners?

Accepted Answer

Charles Babbage proposed paying workers less since they would require fewer skills. Babbage believed that the increased use of machines would make the work of skilled workers less necessary, allowing factory owners to pay their workers less.

Question 10

Which of the following best describes the "putting out" system that existed during early industrialization in Europe?

Accepted Answer

The putting out system involved women working in their homes to produce goods, such as textiles, which were then collected and sold by merchants. Women were extensively involved in the production process through this system.

Question 11

Organization X has the following characteristics. According to Max Weber, which one would not be present in an "ideal type" bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

Weber's ideal type bureaucracy emphasizes the importance of a clearly defined hierarchy, documented records, and specialized roles and responsibilities. However, the requirement for workers to volunteer in the community and the prohibition of involvement in politics are not characteristics of an ideal type bureaucracy.

Question 12

Which of the following is most correct with respect to social theories about the division of labour?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim believed that the division of labour was both economically useful and morally good, as it allowed for specialization and increased efficiency while also promoting social solidarity and interdependence. Adam Smith did believe in the economic benefits of the division of labour, but he also acknowledged that it could lead to alienation among workers. Karl Marx, on the other hand, believed that the division of labour increased profits for owners but actually decreased the happiness and well-being of workers. Max Weber acknowledged that the division of labour was still present in large bureaucracies, but believed that it had become more specialized and focused on technical efficiency rather than craftsmanship.

Question 13

Which of the following are demonstrated by historical studies?

Accepted Answer

Historical studies have shown that industrialization occurred later in Canada compared to Europe and the United States. This is due to a variety of factors, including Canada's dependence on agriculture and its slower population growth.

Answer: D 
 Historical studies have shown that North American workers did experience poverty and exploitation during early industrialization, although the extent and severity varied by region and industry. While conditions may not have been as dire as in England, workers still faced low wages, dangerous working conditions, and limited rights and protections.

Option A and C are not accurate.

Question 14

The economy in the African country of Hypothetica is primarily agricultural. Most of the farms are owned by companies in western Europe or the United States. Local residents are hired on a monthly basis to work on the farms, using high-tech farm machinery. Which of the following concepts that Karl Marx introduced would be best for describing this economic system?

Accepted Answer

The mode of production refers to the way in which goods and services are produced in a society. In this case, the mode of production is capitalist, as the farms are owned by companies in western Europe or the United States and the local residents are hired on a monthly basis to work on the farms.

Question 15

During the first half of the 1800s, Russia's economy was dominated by agriculture, with powerful landowners profiting from the work done by landless peasants. During the second half of the 1800s, many large factories and railway systems were built by rich individuals and families and large companies. In 1917, the Russian Revolution led to the state (government) taking over ownership of farms, factories, railways, and the rest of the economy. This system stayed in place until 1989. Which of the following best describes Russia in the early 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Russia's economy during the early 1800s was dominated by powerful landowners who profited from the work of landless peasants. This is characteristic of feudalism, a system in which landowners hold political and economic power over those who work the land.

Question 16

Health Central is a large hospital where most doctors earn over $200,000 annually, most nurses earn about $65,000 annually, and the cleaning staff are paid the minimum wage. Because they feel they are underpaid, the cleaning staff don't like helping the nurses. For the same reason, the nurses don't like helping out the doctors. A consultant hired to deal with the problem recommends a series of workshops where members of all three groups will meet to learn more about what others do in their jobs. Which of the following social theorists would likely applaud this suggestion?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim believed that social integration was necessary for a healthy society, and that integration could be achieved through interactions between different social groups. The workshops suggested by the consultant would facilitate such interactions, and thereby help to integrate the hospital's staff. Adam Smith focused on the role of self-interest in economic processes, and would not necessarily see the value of these workshops. Karl Marx focused on the exploitation of labor, and would likely view the workshops as a superficial solution that did not address the underlying power imbalances in the hospital. Max Weber focused on bureaucracy and the rationalization of society, and may or may not see the value of the workshops, depending on his views on the importance of social interactions.

Question 17

Which of the following occurred in pre-industrial Canada in the early 1800s?

Accepted Answer

Immigrants employed in canal-building were very poorly paid. The other options are incorrect as there is no evidence to suggest that many people from the US were moving to Canada, factories were being built, or agriculture was becoming dominant in Western Canada during the early 1800s.

Question 18

Which of the following was not part of "the great transformation" described by Karl Polanyi?

Accepted Answer

"The emergence of socialist forms of government" was not a part of "the great transformation" described by Karl Polanyi. The other options, such as growing urbanization, a shift to new technologies and inanimate energy sources, and the emergence of widespread wage labour, were important components of Polanyi's analysis.

Question 19

In what way did Adam Smith and Karl Marx have similar views about work relationships in industrial societies, even though their reasons were different?

Accepted Answer

Both Adam Smith and Karl Marx believed that the exploitation of workers was wrong. However, their reasons for this were different. Smith believed that exploitation was bad for business because it resulted in low-quality work, while Marx believed that it was a fundamental injustice that resulted from capitalism. They both saw the need for fairer work relationships in industrial societies, although their solutions to achieve this were different.

Question 20

During the early 1900s in Canada, which of the following were occurring?

Accepted Answer

During the early 1900s in Canada, dangerous working conditions in industries like mining led to increased support for socialist politicians, particularly in western Canada.

Quiz 1: Historical Perspectives on Work 1700-1950s