Question 1

A __________ is an organization whose purpose is to gain and hold legitimate control of government; it is usually composed of people with similar attitudes, interests, and socioeconomic status.

Accepted Answer

A political party is an organization that seeks to gain and hold legitimate control of government. It is typically composed of people who share similar attitudes, interests, and socioeconomic status, and who work together to advance their political goals and ideology. Political parties play a crucial role in democratic systems, providing candidates for elections and giving citizens a voice in the political process.

Question 2

Sociologist __________ applied the term power elite to the most powerful in society, who are those at the top of business, the executive branch of the federal government, and the military.

Accepted Answer

The term "power elite" was coined by sociologist C. Wright Mills to refer to the small group of individuals who hold the most power in society, including those in top positions in business, government, and the military.

Question 3

__________ are organizations of special interest groups that solicit contributions from donors and fund campaigns to help elect (or defeat) candidates who share their stances on specific issues.

Accepted Answer

Political action committees are specifically designed organizations for soliciting donations and funding campaigns to elect or defeat candidates with shared stances on specific issues. Pressure groups and lobby groups may also engage in similar activities but they are not solely focused on campaign financing. Power elites do not necessarily engage in campaign financing activities but rather refers to a small group of people who hold significant power and influence in society.

Question 4

Political parties create a __________, which is a formal statement of the party's political positions on various social and economic issues.

Accepted Answer

A political party's platform is a formal statement of the party's political positions on various social and economic issues. A policy refers to a specific course of action or set of principles adopted by an organization, while a regulation is a rule or directive made and maintained by authority. A principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.

Question 5

The pluralist model is rooted in a __________ perspective, which assumes that people in a nation share a consensus on central concerns and that the government provides services that no other institution can fulfill.

Accepted Answer

The pluralist model is rooted in the functionalist perspective, which assumes that people in a nation share a consensus on central concerns and that the government provides services that no other institution can fulfill.

Question 6

__________ are political coalitions made up of individuals or groups that share a specific interest they wish to protect or advance within the political system.

Accepted Answer

Special interest groups are formed to advocate for a specific issue or set of issues, often by pooling resources and lobbying lawmakers. They can represent diverse interests, including business, labor, environmental concerns, social justice, and civil rights. Political action committees (PACs) are a type of special interest group that raises money to contribute to political campaigns. Power elites refer to a small group of people who hold disproportionate influence and control over society, while classes refer to groups of people who share similar economic and social positions.

Question 7

The U.S. Constitution requires that each state have __________ senators and a minimum of __________ member(s) in the House of Representatives. The current size of the House of Representatives has not changed since the apportionment following the 1910 census.

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Constitution requires each state to have two senators and a minimum of one member in the House of Representatives. The current size of the House of Representatives has been fixed at 435 members since the apportionment following the 1910 census.

Question 8

In a __________ model, the needs and interests of widely divergent groups are met by the government through a process of accommodation and negotiation. Power in political systems is widely dispersed and shared among many competing interest groups.

Accepted Answer

A pluralist model of politics is characterized by the widespread dispersion of power and influence among different interest groups. These groups are diverse and often compete with one another for resources and policy outcomes. In such a model, the government plays a role in accommodating the needs and interests of these groups through negotiation and compromise. This is in contrast to elite or ruling class models, in which power is concentrated among a small, wealthy, and influential segment of society.

Question 9

Although __________ theorists acknowledge that there are many purposes of government, they also believe that government primarily works in the interests of the wealthy or politically powerful elites in society.

Accepted Answer

The statement is in line with the perspective of conflict theory, which posits that power and resources are unequally distributed in society, and those in positions of power will use their influence to maintain their advantage. Thus, according to this view, the government primarily serves the interests of the wealthy or politically powerful elites, rather than the broader population.

Question 10

Political __________ is the process by which people learn political attitudes, values, and behavior.

Accepted Answer

Political socialization refers to the process of learning political attitudes, values, and behavior through social interactions, institutions, and experiences. This process can occur through various agents of socialization such as family, media, schools, and peers. Political socialization shapes individuals' political identities and influences their political participation and decision-making.

Question 11

Which of these is not one of the four main functions of government?

Accepted Answer

Maintaining law and order, planning and directing society, and handling international relations (including warfare) are three of the four main functions of government according to most political scientists and scholars. Ensuring positive family relationships is not typically considered a main function of government.

Question 12

William Domhoff used the term __________ to refer to a small, fixed, privileged group of people with the power to constrain the political system and serve the interests of capitalism.

Accepted Answer

William Domhoff used the term "ruling class" to describe a small, privileged group that has significant power in the political system, primarily serving the interests of capitalism. This concept is central to his analysis of power structures in the United States.

Question 13

What percentage of the U.S. voting-age population is involved in the political process beyond simply voting?

Accepted Answer

Studies and surveys typically find that a smaller portion of the U.S. voting-age population engages in political activities beyond voting, such as attending political meetings, working in campaigns, or participating in organized protests. While the exact percentage can vary depending on the criteria used and the political climate of a given time, a figure around 10 percent is a reasonable estimate for those who are more actively involved in the political process beyond just casting a vote.

Question 14

The __________ make(s) up the top level of C. Wright Mill's pyramidal model of the power elite.

Accepted Answer

According to C. Wright Mills, the top level of the power elite is made up of the corporate rich, which includes leaders of major corporations, banks, and investment firms. These individuals have significant wealth and influence over politics and policy-making.

Question 15

The corporate rich influence the political system by______________.

Accepted Answer

The corporate rich influence the political system by providing financial support to political candidates and expecting favorable policies in return. This is known as corporate lobbying or campaign finance. Often, wealthy individuals and corporations donate to multiple candidates from both major parties to ensure their influence is felt regardless of who wins the election.

Question 16

Within the conflict perspective, the __________ model highlights how power in political systems is concentrated in the hands of a small group and the masses are relatively powerless.

Accepted Answer

The elite model highlights the concentration of power in the hands of a small group or elite, who control political and economic resources. The masses are relatively powerless in this model, as they do not have the resources or influence to challenge the elite's dominance. This perspective is consistent with the conflict perspective, which highlights social inequality and the struggle for power and resources.

Question 17

In the United States, the political system is a __________ in which people have a voice in the government elected representatives who serve as bridges between themselves and the government.

Accepted Answer

The United States political system is a representative democracy in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them in the government. This is different from a direct participatory democracy, in which citizens would directly vote and make decisions on all issues themselves. Symbolic democracy and independent involvement democracy are not recognized terms in political science.

Question 18

According to sociologist __________, the purpose of government is to socialize people to be good citizens, to regulate the economy so that it operates effectively, and to provide necessary services for citizens.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim believed that the purpose of government was to socialize people to be good citizens through education, to regulate the economy to ensure effective operation, and to provide necessary services for citizens. This was part of his functionalist theory, which emphasized the importance of social institutions working together to maintain social order and stability.

Question 19

The __________ make(s) up the middle level of C. Wright Mill's pyramidal model of the power elite.

Accepted Answer

The middle level of C. Wright Mills' pyramidal model of the power elite includes the legislative branch, special interest groups, and local opinion leaders, as these groups have significant influence but do not hold the topmost power, which is reserved for the corporate rich and political elite.

Question 20

Citizen groups such as the American Conservative Union and Zero Population Growth are examples of __________.

Accepted Answer

Citizen groups that advocate for specific issues, like those mentioned, are categorized as special interest groups. They work to advance their particular cause or agenda and influence public policy by lobbying government officials or promoting their views to the public.

Quiz 13: Politics and the Economy in Global Perspective