Chapter 5
Elite theorists and pluralists differ on whether or not __________.
any single group has a monopoly on the influence over government policies
What evidence would pluralists most likely cite to support their claims that elites are ultimately accountable?
the millions of dollars that tobacco firms have paid out in lawsuits and settlements
What German thinker argued that any organization, no matter how democratic its intent, ends up run by a small elite?
Robert Michels
Which of these following countries could be labeled a "fake democracy"?
Russia
Which of these is the most significant cause for democratic failure?
lack of a middle class
In the United States, the press is often referred to as the "fourth branch of government" because __________.
of its key role in keeping government accountable to citizen demands
The main way that democratic governments are held accountable is through __________.
regular electoral challenge
Which of the following conditions, if true, might have prevented Germany from succumbing to totalitarian rule?
the Allies concluded a less punitive peace deal after World War I
More than half the world's nations are at least somewhat __________.
democratic
One benefit of a system with frequent alternation in power is __________.
effective control over corruption
A supporter of an authoritarian capitalist state would most likely justify this type of regime as a means of __________.
ensuring a rise in living standards
Totalitarianism began with __________.
Lenin's seizure of power in Russia
Which country is a present-day example of a totalitarian regime?
North Korea
What is the difference between "traditional" authoritarianism and totalitarianism?
"Traditional" authoritarianism seeks political passivity and obedience rather than enthusiastic participation and mobilization.
What does Barrington Moore's observation "No bourgeoisie, no democracy" imply about the requirements for stable democracy?
A stable democracy can only take hold in a society with a large and educated middle class.
Which of these can be considered an example of direct democracy?
Citizens voting on a ballot referendum
Which statement explains the claim that "democracy does not always equal freedom"?
Even democratic elections can produce regimes that limit rights and freedoms.
Which statement explains how economics have transformed authoritarian regimes in recent decades?
Growing economies have spurred democratic transitions.
Which statement differentiates the recent experiences of Poland and the Czech Republic from that of Hungary?
Poland and the Czech Republic have created lasting democracies; Hungary has shown shades of totalitarianism.
Which statement explains why democracies tend to fail in poor countries?
Poor countries tend to lack a vibrant middle class, education levels are low, pluralism functions poorly, and people have yet to be shaped by markets that normalize behavior.
What is the main difference between totalitarianism and authoritarianism?
State control is less significant under authoritarianism than under totalitarianism
Which statement provides evidence for the usefulness of social media in a democratic system?
Text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, and television media helped catalyze the "Arab Spring."
Which statement describes "authoritarian capitalism"?
The regime allows markets to function in a mostly free way but retains a monopoly over political power.
Which country has recently become more authoritarian?
Venezuela
What do authoritarian leaders seek from their citizens?
passivity and obedience
Which feature of democracy may still exist in an authoritarian regime?
periodic elections
Venezuela is which type of authoritarian regime?
personalistic
Which of the following reforms would move a regime from a totalitarian system to an authoritarian system?
power shifted from one leader to a small group
In Iraq, governance is complicated and sometimes violent because people from different __________ tend to vote for different parties.
religious groups
Modern elite theorists are __________.
social critics
