Question 1

The idea that the state is the sole authority within its territory that can make and enforce laws is best called
A)internal sovereignty
B)external sovereignty
C)state strength
D)legitimacy

Accepted Answer

Internal sovereignty refers to the state's ultimate authority within its own territory. It is the idea that the state has supreme power to make and enforce laws, and that no other entity within its boundaries can legitimately challenge or interfere with that power. External sovereignty, on the other hand, refers to a state's independence and ability to conduct its own affairs without interference from other states. State strength and legitimacy are related concepts, but do not encompass the specific idea of internal sovereignty.

Question 2

The Soviet state
A)created a federal system in which the republics held significant power
B)lasted less than 50 years
C)took control of all legal economic activity
D)failed to industrialize the country

Accepted Answer

The Soviet state took control of all legal economic activity, creating a command economy where the government controlled production and distribution.

Question 3

A state is
A)an administrative apparatus that develops and administers laws and generates and implements public policies in a specific territory
B)a group of people who perceive themselves as sharing a sense of belonging, and who often have a common language, culture, and set of traditions
C)a nation
D)an organization that only partially provides adequate political goods to its citizens

Accepted Answer

A state is defined as a political entity that has an administrative apparatus responsible for developing and enforcing laws and policies within a specific geographic territory. This includes institutions such as a government, judiciary, and bureaucracy. Option B refers to a nation which may or may not be the same as a state, and option C is not a correct definition of a state. Option D only provides a partial definition and is not comprehensive.

Question 4

According to Perry Anderson, absolutist states usually had
A)a casual mercenary militia
B)a centralized bureaucracy
C)irregular and sporadic taxation
D)all of these

Accepted Answer

Perry Anderson argues that absolutist states had a centralized bureaucracy as a key characteristic. While some absolutist states may have had a casual mercenary militia and irregular taxation, these are not universal traits that together defined absolutist states in the same way that a centralized bureaucracy did.

Question 5

A "nation" is
A)an administrative apparatus that develops and administers laws and generates and implements public policies in a specific territory
B)a state
C)an organization that only partially provides adequate political goods to its citizens
D)a group of people who perceive themselves as sharing a sense of belonging, and who often have a common language, culture, and set of traditions

Accepted Answer

A "nation" is commonly defined as a group of people who share a common sense of identity based on a shared language, culture, and traditions. While this definition can overlap with those of a state or an administrative apparatus, it primarily refers to a community of people who perceive themselves as having a common identity or heritage.

Question 6

The modern state first appeared and developed in
A)North America
B)Europe
C)Asia
D)Oceania

Accepted Answer

The modern state first appeared and developed in Europe. The concept of a centralized government with a defined territory, a system of laws, and a monopoly on the use of force emerged in Europe during the 16th to 18th centuries, particularly with the development of the nation-state model. This model has since spread to other parts of the world.

Question 7

The Articles of Confederation failed mainly because
A)They lacked legitimacy.
B)They provided inadequate sovereignty.
C)They failed to provide adequate political goods.
D)They failed to settle the problem of slavery between the North and the South.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Articles of Confederation failed mainly because
A)They...

Question 8

The evolution from absolutism to the modern state occurred when
A)ethnically homogenous states were created
B)the Industrial Revolution took place
C)a state came to be seen as separate from its ruler
D)national economies developed

Accepted Answer

The evolution from absolutism to the modern state occurred when a state came to be seen as separate from its ruler. In absolutist systems, the ruler had absolute power and authority over the state and its people. However, with the rise of the modern state, there was a shift towards the idea that the state was an entity in and of itself, with its own interests and responsibilities to its citizens. This shift allowed for the development of constitutionalism and the idea of popular sovereignty, where the people were seen as the ultimate source of political power rather than just subjects of the ruler.

Question 9

The term "divine right" is closely associated with which form of legitimacy?
A)charismatic legitimacy
B)rational-legal legitimacy
C)traditional legitimacy
D)hereditary legitimacy

Accepted Answer

The term "divine right" is closely associated with traditional legitimacy, where the right to rule is justified by customs and traditions, often involving the belief that a monarch's authority is granted directly by a divine power.

Question 10

A weak state is a state that
A)is generally capable of providing adequate political goods to its citizens
B)only partially provides adequate political goods to its citizens
C)is so weak that it loses effective sovereignty over part or all of its territory
D)is not able to secure its borders

Accepted Answer

A weak state is characterized by its inability to fully provide adequate political goods, such as security, law, and infrastructure, to its citizens.

Question 11

At the core of feudalism was what concept?
A)Kings are chosen by divine right and their rule is unquestioned.
B)The lord gave his vassal a piece of property in exchange for loyalty.
C)All power came from military might.
D)Those who have wealth will rise above those who do not.

Accepted Answer

The core concept of feudalism was the exchange of land (fief) by a lord to his vassal in exchange for loyalty and military service. This exchange of land formed the basis of the feudal system and allowed for the decentralized control of territories.

Question 12

According to Max Weber, modern states are distinguished by
A)homogenous populations
B)charismatic leaders
C)national economic planning
D)rational-legal legitimacy

Accepted Answer

Max Weber defines modern states as those that have rational-legal legitimacy, which implies that they adhere to a system of laws that are applied equally to all citizens based on rational criteria. This type of legitimacy is the basis of modern bureaucratic systems and is designed to ensure fairness, efficiency, and predictability in government operations. Homogenous populations, charismatic leaders, and national economic planning are not unique characteristics of modern states and may be present in various types of political systems.

Question 13

What are the two major religions of Nigeria?
A)Islam and Judaism
B)Christianity and Hinduism
C)Christianity and Islam
D)Judaism and Hinduism

Accepted Answer

The two major religions of Nigeria are Christianity and Islam. Approximately half of the population is Muslim, while the other half is predominantly Christian.

Question 14

The "first wave" of export of the modern state refers to
A)the American continent in the sixteenth century
B)Asia in the nineteenth century
C)Africa in the mid-nineteenth century
D)the early 1960s

Accepted Answer

The "first wave" of export of the modern state refers to the European colonization and expansion of the American continent in the sixteenth century, which saw the establishment of colonies and the introduction of European political and economic systems.

Question 15

In modern states, the bureaucracy
A)is necessary to carry out administrative tasks
B)is always slow and inefficient
C)is useless, and plays only a limited role
D)is a small group of elites who implement the laws

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracy is necessary to carry out administrative tasks in modern states such as implementing policies, enforcing laws, and managing government departments. While bureaucracy can sometimes face issues such as slow and inefficient processes, it remains an essential component of modern governance. Choice B, C, and D are inaccurate and do not reflect the reality of modern bureaucracy.

Question 16

External sovereignty implies
A)recognition by the international community of states
B)acceptance by citizens of the state's legitimate rulers
C)democracy within the territory of the state
D)sole authority to make and enforce laws and policies within a territory

Accepted Answer

External sovereignty refers to the recognition of a state by the international community, affirming its status as an independent and equal entity in international relations.

Question 17

The modern state spread throughout the world primarily through
A)trade relations
B)observation
C)colonial conquest
D)missionaries

Accepted Answer

The modern state spread throughout the world primarily through colonial conquest by European powers in the 16th to 20th centuries. These colonial powers established modern states in the territories they conquered with the help of political, military, and economic mechanisms. While trade relations, observation, and missionaries played significant roles in globalization, the spread of the modern state is primarily attributed to colonialism.

Question 18

A modern state's territory
A)can never change, regardless of the circumstances
B)changes very often, in most cases
C)can change through independence, secession, acquisition, and other means
D)usually contains a number of unclaimed areas

Accepted Answer

A modern state's territory can change through independence (like South Sudan), secession (like Catalonia), acquisition (like the US purchasing Louisiana from France), and other means. It is not fixed or immutable.

Question 19

At what point did the modern state come to cover virtually the entire globe?
A)soon after the Peace of Westphalia
B)in the aftermath of WWI
C)following World War II
D)at the end of the Cold War

Accepted Answer

Following World War II, the decolonization process and the establishment of the United Nations led to the recognition and formation of many new states, significantly expanding the global map of sovereign nations. This period marked the spread of the modern state system across the entire globe.

Question 20

Feudal states
A)claimed and had undisputed sovereignty
B)neither claimed nor had undisputed sovereignty
C)are typical of today's Eastern Europe
D)are typical of the precolonial American continent

Accepted Answer

Feudal states were decentralized political entities where power was held by lords or nobles who had control over their domains, but did not have undisputed sovereignty over their entire territory. The loyalty of vassals and peasants played a key role in maintaining the power of the lord. This type of political organization was typical of medieval Europe and Japan, and is not limited to a specific region or time period.

Quiz 2: The Modern State

The idea that the state is the sole authority within its territory that can make and enforce laws is best called

The Soviet state

A state is

According to Perry Anderson, absolutist states usually had

A "nation" is

The modern state first appeared and developed in

The Articles of Confederation failed mainly because

The evolution from absolutism to the modern state occurred when

The term "divine right" is closely associated with which form of legitimacy?

A weak state is a state that

At the core of feudalism was what concept?

According to Max Weber, modern states are distinguished by

What are the two major religions of Nigeria?

The "first wave" of export of the modern state refers to

In modern states, the bureaucracy

External sovereignty implies

The modern state spread throughout the world primarily through

A modern state's territory

At what point did the modern state come to cover virtually the entire globe?

Feudal states