Comp Politics Multiple Choice
Which agent of socialization becomes more important as one becomes an adult?
A. A) social networks B) parents C) the family D) schools
When people accede to what another person wants because they believe that the other person has the legitimate right to demand such compliance, they do so because they believe in that person's authority. Authority can be based on __________.
C. A) charisma, soft power, and/or law B) contract, law, and/or power C) charisma, tradition, and/or law D) tradition, power, and/or contract
Why is it difficult to obtain adequate explanations about political phenomena?
C. A) There are no indisputable answers. B) They raise complicated issues that cannot ever be adequately explained. C) Patterns of cause and effect can be extremely complex. D) They rarely include claims or assumptions so no assessment of the truth is possible.
Developing a taxonomy is often the __________ stage in political analysis.
C. A) final B) second C) first D) third
The political process involves the competition of __________ and __________ in the determination of who gets what, when, and how.
C. A) standards; practices B) ethics; morals C) values; interests D) time; money
Major economic organizations with whom the government cultivates a special relationship because they can influence political decisions or policy changes may include __________.
D. A) labor, interest groups, and human development associations B) business, labor, and think tanks C) administrations, labor, and customs associations D) business, labor, and farmers
In 2018, in the election for the U.S. House of Representatives, the Democrats won 235 seats and the Republicans won 199 seats, with not a single member from another political party winning a seat. This is an example of what type of political system?
A) a two-party system B) a no-party system C) a multiparty system D) a dominant-party system
A good example of a "working" multiparty system, in which a cluster of parties usually cooperates in order to form a governing majority, is __________.
A. A) Estonia B) the United States C) Venezuela D) the Bahamas
Which of the following is an example of an equilibrium point?
A. A) Someone creates the same number of shovels as there are people who need shovels. B) There is a surplus of shovels that can be saved for the following market period. C) An innovation in shovel manufacturing makes previous shovels obsolete. D) There is more demand for shovels than the number of shovels made.
Which of the following limits the power of the rulers and guarantees the rights of the ruled?
A. A) a constitution B) a referendum C) an article D) a legislature
You are listening to a podcast detailing the recent decision by a major American company to move its operations outside the United States, along with reactions of prominent politicians worried about the impending job losses for their constituents. This would be an example of the __________.
A. A) actions of major economic actors having substantial impacts on the political system B) inability of political leaders to influence the decisions of economic actors C) inability of economic actors to influence the decisions of political leaders D) actions of political leaders having a major impact on the economy
Gross national income (GNI) is the production of __________.
A. A) all citizens of the state both domestic and abroad B) the citizens within a state's boundaries C) all people within a state's boundaries D) the highest earners of the state both domestic and abroad
In a market economy, the distribution of factors and goods is based on the actions of __________.
A. A) all consumers and producers B) producers only C) consumers only D) the state
The separation of executive and legislative powers helps to ensure a system of __________ in the policymaking and policy-implementation processes.
A. A) checks and balances B) unity C) hierarchical authority D) one-party government
Imagine that you want to open a restaurant, but find that in your city, it is virtually impossible to get a liquor license. The next time the city inspector visits, you ask about his family and, upon finding out that his son has a birthday coming up, inquire about the type of gift he would like. The inspector tells you that his son will soon apply for college and would appreciate it if you could use your contacts to get him admitted to your alma mater. In return, the inspector would ensure that your liquor license is approved quickly. This scenario is an example of a(n) __________ administration.
A. A) corrupt B) humane C) discriminatory D) arbitrary
What is a goal of the state in a command economy?
A. A) delivering optimum bundles of goods to all citizens B) keeping environmental concerns from preventing trade C) encouraging competition among producers D) expanding the rights of corporations
Paul Kagame of Rwanda is a single individual who holds near absolute power and authority, meaning that Rwanda's government would be considered a(n) __________.
A. A) dictatorship B) totalitarian system C) constitutional regime D) democracy
According to French law, Muslim women are prevented from wearing a burqa in public. Technically speaking, this contradicts Article 10 of the French Constitution because the article guarantees __________.
A. A) freedom of religious practice B) freedom of protest C) women's rights D) freedom of speech
One of the most important features of a presidential form of government is the strict separation between the executive and __________.
A. A) legislative structures B) military establishments C) political parties D) judicial branches
The 2018 investigation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe regarding corruption and cronyism is an example of the legislative role of __________.
A. A) overseeing the executive B) enacting legislation C) earmarking D) deliberation
Which confederal organization is made up of more than 190 member states?
A. A) the United Nations B) the African Union C) the European Union D) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Res publica is a Latin phrase that means __________.
A. A) things of the people B) public works C) whims of the people D) passions of the people
Since 1990, there has been a considerable increase in the proportion of countries with bicameral legislatures, which means that more countries now have legislatures with _________.
A. A) two chambers B) one chamber that meets for a set period of time every two years C) both legislative and judiciary authority D) both executive and legislative authority
What type of parliamentary system often emerges when there is no coherent legislative majority?
A. A) unstable B) unified C) decisive D) stable
After the 2015 election in Israel, the Knesset (the nation's legislature) was shared among 10 parties, and no party had a majority of seats. This is an example of a(n) __________, especially with many different parties being firmly committed to their unique ideological orientations.
A. A) unstable multiparty system B) dominant-party system C) two-party system D) stable multiparty system
An executive who is aggressive, seeks to minimize the role of due process, and calls for unwavering loyalty from supporters is known as a __________.
A. A) "strongman" leader B) prime minister C) dual executive D) fused executive
In most political systems, what is considered the broadest linkage institution?
A. A) a political party B) the ballot box C) the government D) social media
When the Soviet Union, a multinational state, collapsed in 1991, it was replaced with __________.
B. A) 18 separate governments approved by the United Nations B) 15 sovereign states organized on the basis of nationality C) a nation-state D) one united nation
Why is executive policy leadership crucial during times of crisis?
B. A) It has the potential to communicate a clear and unified message to people just like that of the legislative branch. B) It has the potential to ensure a level of coherence and unanimity of action that is often lacking in the legislature. C) It has a lack of coherence that must be made up for by those in the judicial branch. D) It makes much fairer and contingency-supported decisions than are capable in any other branch of government.
In a unitary state, a central government holds all legitimate power and the ability to use force. Which countries represent this type of government?
B. A) Japan and Russia B) Japan and the United Kingdom C) the United Kingdom and Canada D) China and India
Who celebrated laissez-faire economics?
B. A) Jean-Jacques Rousseau B) Adam Smith C) Karl Marx D) Thomas Hobbes
In a totalitarian regime, every activity of the individual citizen is subject to scrutiny by the state, which claims it is protecting what is best for the society as a whole. An example of a totalitarian regime from recent history that is no longer in power is __________.
B. A) Russia under Dmitry Medvedev B) Afghanistan under the Taliban C) Cuba under Fidel Castro D) Algeria under Abdelaziz Bouteflika
According to Freedom House, 86 percent of the European population lives in a country that is classified as free, compared to only 5 percent of the population in what region of the globe?
B. A) South America B) the Middle East and North Africa C) Asia and Central America D) the Middle East and Asia
Why might legislators vote in a way that conflicts with the views of their constituents?
B. A) Their constituents will be forced to support them no matter their decision. B) They believe they are acting in their country's best interest. C) They did not get enough money from their constituents. D) They want to be voted out of office.
One flaw of both GDP and GNI is that __________.
B. A) These rankings are measured only every 10 years B) there are between-country disparities in the exchange value of money C) sustainable development becomes the focus D) bartered and black-market goods are counted disproportionately
Which of the following would be considered a dispute between private actors?
B. A) bribery B) divorce C) environmental pollution D) murder
In which type of economy would the cost of strawberries be determined entirely by the number of people wanting and having the means to purchase strawberries, relative to the number of strawberries available?
B. A) command B) market C) protectionist D) mixed
A model of executive-legislative relations in which a president and prime minister share significant executive powers, such as Vladimir Putin and Dmitry Medvedev in Russia, constitutes what type of system?
B. A) council B) hybrid C) parliamentary D) presidential
What recent example helps demonstrate the ways in which governments have arguably allowed global financial actors too much power and protection?
B. A) decline of globalization B) collapse of bubble economies C) industrialization of Africa D) actions of U.S. trade unions
An example of the role of a head of state is __________.
B. A) establishing a new foreign policy doctrine B) hosting the celebrations for Independence Day C) enforcing a new piece of legislation D) conducting executions of those convicted of treason
Which of the following is an example of the political system having a significant impact on the economy?
B. A) exceptionally high unemployment for many months B) the government controlling the price of all basic foods C) bankruptcy filings by two of the country's largest financial institutions D) a lengthy nationwide strike by public transportation operators
Imagine a country where tax rates are in flux. Greater demands are placed on the government for goods and services, leading to higher tax rates. Over time, these higher taxes begin to be perceived as problematic, leading to public outrage, after which the government lowers them again. This is an example of __________.
B. A) implementation B) feedback C) outcomes D) conversion
The price you pay at the pump will likely come down when demand for gasoline __________.
B. A) increases and its supply decreases B) is low in relation to its supply C) remains steady while its supply stays steady D) increases in relation to its supply
Due to the onset of a global economy where more than half of all global production is now international trade, states have __________.
B. A) largely given up on the idea of exercising control over economic actors and have taken down all barriers to free trade B) much less capacity to regulate the behavior of firms, control the balance of imports and exports, and even tax many economic transactions C) seen their ability to control the inputs and outputs of their national economies remain unchanged D) even greater capacity to regulate economic actors, control trade deficits, and extract taxes from the public
In most __________ economies, the state does not intervene to protect those with minimal success and, over time, this results in greater wealth inequality among its citizens.
B. A) mixed B) market C) developed D) command
The gross national income (GNI) of the United States includes the production of __________.
B. A) only Americans working inside the United States B) American citizens working in London C) both foreigners working in the United States and Americans working abroad D) British citizens working in Chicago
If Iran were to manipulate the control of its oil resources, which Europe needs, in order to alter the sanctions in place, this would be an example of the exertion of __________.
B. A) political interference B) economic power C) soft power D) coercive power
Value allocations are authoritative when they are __________.
B. A) rooted in elite approaches B) binding and accepted by society C) lacking demands D) nonbinding and rejected by society
Successful __________ capture supreme political power within a government and use it with extraordinary energy and effect.
B. A) single-issue activists B) political leaders C) voters D) foot soldiers
In the most straightforward sense, capitalism, communism, and socialism correspond loosely to __________, respectively.
B. A) state capitalist economy, global economy, and mixed economy B) market economy, command economy, and mixed economy C) mixed economy, market economy, and command economy D) corporatist economy, laissez-faire economics, and statism
Which term refers to all of the people and organizational machinery that are below the chief executive?
B. A) the bureaucracy B) the executive C) the Weberians D) the bureaucrats
What is the main goal of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples issued by the United Nations in 2007?
B. A) to demand autonomy and statehood for groups of "natives" B) to protect groups of "first people" from discrimination and from efforts to destroy their national identity and culture C) to organize political and social power for groups of indigenous peoples D) to revive native cultures and to suppress the dominant culture in native lands
A dual executive is a government __________.
B. A) with two executives who rule jointly and as equals over all matters of government B) with two executives, one who acts as the head of state and another who acts as the head of government C) with one executive who has both executive and legislative authority D) with two executives, one who has power during periods of war and another who has power during periods of peace
How is a bureaucracy different from an administration?
C. A) An administration is a structure and set of processes through which a bureaucracy can operate. B) They are the same thing. C) A bureaucracy is a particular type of structure and set of processes through which an administration can operate. D) A bureaucracy is much larger than an administration.
Which of the following countries are especially good examples of nonconstitutional regimes, based on the collapse of rule of law and the disintegration of social order through severe political violence?
C. A) Kenya and Tanzania B) modern Russia and modern China C) Congo and Somalia D) North Korea and South Korea
Which U.S. president avoided an impeachment trial in 1974 by resigning?
C. A) Lyndon B. Johnson B) Bill Clinton C) Richard Nixon D) Rutherford B. Hayes
Which of the following countries has the most complex formal judicial system?
C. A) Rwanda B) China C) the United States D) Iraq
Which of the following is an example of the political system having a significant impact on the economy?
C. A) The National Football League's entire season is canceled as negotiations between players and owners break down. B) Economic forecasters warn that the European Union may enter into a double-dip economic recession. C) The U.S. government sets new standards on fuel efficiency for auto manufacturers. D) A billionaire oil tycoon decides to place half his fortune into investments for renewable energy.
Why does the way in which Supreme Court justices are chosen in the United States lead some to view judicial review as undemocratic?
C. A) The justices are often bribed and make judicial review decisions based on their monetary needs. B)The justices are political appointees who represent the views of the current president and are replaced with the new administration. C) The justices are not elected by the people. D) The justices are a direct voice of the people who elect them.
Which of the following is a common criticism of bureaucracies?
C. A) They are too democratic. B) They are too lax and allow people too much freedom. C) They are too powerful and exercise too much control over people's lives. D) They are too easily corrupted by the executive branch.
The geographical component that lends itself to the creation of a federation is __________.
C. A) being in the southern hemisphere B) bordering nondemocratic nations C) being large in size D) being small in size
Corporatism blends features of __________.
C. A) communism and socialism B) state capitalism and communism C) capitalism, state capitalism, and socialism D) totalitarianism and the command economy
Throughout the decades following World War II, the United States constructed a vast interstate highway system throughout the lower 48 states. The results brought commercial prosperity to some towns and cities while having the reverse effect on others, signaling the end of short-haul train travel. This is an example of the __________.
C. A) failure of the coal and gas industry in influencing public policy B) failure of federal bureaucrats to execute a policy decision C) actions of the government having a significant impact on the economy D) actions of major economic actors producing sizable shifts in the economy
A political regime in which a single ruler exercises absolute power and authority without any legal constraints or citizen mandate is a(n) __________.
C. A) illiberal democracy B) authoritarian regime C) autocracy D) flawed democracy
A lack of innovation and initiative among producers is a problem most often found in __________ economies.
C. A) market B) mixed C) command D) globalized
Imagine you are the head manager of an industrial factory and you come to the realization that the quota you have been given to produce commercial airline parts is far lower than the actual domestic and international demand for them. You voice your concern to your supervisors, but you find it impossible to alter the state's five-year plan for the economy. You are very likely experiencing one of the major shortcomings of a(n) __________ economy.
C. A) market B) mixed C) command D) input/output
When a legislature makes law, it is exercising what kind of duty or role?
C. A) oversight of the executive and administration B) execution of the law C) enactment of legislation D) representation of citizens
Which measure of the prosperity of a country takes into account environmental sustainability?
C. A) the Gini index B) gross domestic product C) the Genuine Progress Indicator D) gross domestic income
Why might civil servants have more knowledge than higher-ranking government officers?
D. A) Civil servants are required to take continuing education courses so that they have a full understanding of government. B) Government officials do not need to learn their job because they will be voted out of office eventually. C) Civil servants require a specific type of education to fulfill their roles. D) Civil servants learn the ins, outs, and specifics of their field during their longer tenure on the job.
Which statement best describes who controls the factors of production in a command economy?
D. A) Every private actor controls its own factors. B) Most factors are owned by multinational organizations. C) The state and private actors each control some factors. D) The state owns all significant factors.
A one-party system has a single party controlled and protected by the government elite, and the existence of any political parties other than the single party representing the state is not tolerated. Which of the following countries is representative of this type of party system?
D. A) Germany B) Singapore C) Costa Rica D) North Korea
All major economic actors must support the goals and enhance the power of the political leadership in which state capitalist economy?
D. A) South Korea B) Switzerland C) the United States D) Russia
What makes a society acephalous?
D. A) The leader is picked through physical competition. B) The ruler is chosen through lineage. C) The leader is chosen through voting. D) Power is equally shared through a collective leadership.
An administration in which those in authority not only seek to apply the rules but also try to understand individuals' personal circumstances and adjust their actions accordingly is considered a(n) __________.
D. A) arbitrary administration B) discriminatory administration C) Weberian bureaucracy D) humane administration
In most parliamentary systems, the prime minister is not directly elected by the citizens, but rather is chosen __________.
D. A) by the regional heads of government B) by the monarch C) by the country's supreme court D) from within the majority (party or coalition) in the legislature once they have empowered a cabinet to make the choice
Among the many styles for adjudicating disputes, __________ law is grounded in the general laws and rules that have been enacted by legislatures and have evolved over time, whereas __________ law involves the precise application of extremely detailed legal documents to a specific case.
D. A) civil; common B) legislative; constitutional C) criminal; civil D) common; civil
When there is persistent nonenforcement or disregard of constitutional provisions, especially those regarding the rights of the ruled or crucial limits on the rulers, it is known as a __________ regime.
D. A) constitutional B) fundamental C) binary D) nonconstitutional
Which of the following is an example of an individual behaving in a manner interpreted as an offense against the social order?
D. A) failure to pay a debt B) violation of contractual obligations C) divorce D) murder
Which of the following types of political systems is currently the most common in the world?
D. A) federal B) confederal C) dispersive D) unitary
In the economic concept of factors of production, "capital" refers to the __________.
D. A) government's input (e.g., regulation and enforcing contracts) B) human productive input (e.g., physical and mental work) C) ground and resources from the ground (e.g., coal and bananas) D) nonhuman productive input (e.g., financial resources and machinery)
Both market economies and command economies __________.
D. A) have only developed in the past 50 years B) have been unsuccessful in the less developed nations of the Global South C) are ideal-type political economies that share many of the same political values D) are ideal-type political economies that do not necessarily correspond to any real-world examples
The Hutus and Tutsis in Rwanda and Burundi—as well as the Palestinians in Israel, the Tibetans in China, and the Rohingyas in Myanmar—show us that when nation-based identities are strong, they can __________.
D. A) help groups find common ground in a multinational state B) unite one nation C) help groups succeed at establishing sovereign states D) produce animosity and violence between groups within (and among) states
Imagine you land the job of a lifetime, but it requires you to move to another country. In your new country of residence, the government directly controls every aspect of agricultural production, but allows market competition in all other commercial activities. This type of economy is an example of a(n) __________ economy.
D. A) ideal-type B) command C) market D) mixed
Imagine a sovereign state where the central government is very strong and holds all legitimate power, but delegates some of its authority to regional provinces. This would mean that the country is unitary with a(n) __________ structure.
D. A) illogical B) chronological C) patriarchal D) hierarchical
Imagine you do some lengthy stays as a foreign exchange student in both Brazil and Peru studying the native ecosystem. After spending money in both countries, you want to find out what the actual equivalent value is between the Brazilian real and the Peruvian nuevo sol in buying some standard goods. You would want to use an index based on __________.
D. A) inflation rate B) gross domestic product C) gross national income D) purchasing power parity
Despite its tendency to increase production, a market economy fails in what regard?
D. A) interacting with the global economic system B) encouraging innovation from producers C) adjusting to changes in supply and demand D) responding to the hardships of those who do not succeed
Which of the following systems often have the same party repeatedly capturing enough votes and seats to form a government, although other parties are still free to compete?
D. A) one-party systems B) no-party systems C) multiparty systems D) dominant-party systems
If you are influenced by a party's stated beliefs and trust that it would represent your own viewpoints, you have established a clear __________.
D. A) party mobilization B) expertise on the issues C) party coordination D) party identification
What is one of the most ideologically loaded concepts in any discussion about politics and governance?
D. A) regimes B) sovereign states C) written constitutions D) democracy
A constitution is always changing based on the political needs of the people. A change or addition made to a constitution is called a(n) __________.
D. A) rule B) provision C) interpretation D) amendment
In which governmental branch do representatives of the people discuss, assess, and vote on laws?
D. A) the judicial branch B) the executive branch C) the administrative branch D) the legislative branch
According to research, which two countries have vastly different values, including attitudes about gay rights?
A. A) Switzerland and Zambia B) Switzerland and Mexico C) United States and Switzerland D) Uganda and Morocco
What is the goal of science and the scientific method?
B. A) to adapt facts to accommodate unconventional thinking, including myths and conspiracies B) to answer what, why, and how questions C) to be convinced that something is true because of personal experience D) to answer who, when, and where questions
Imagine that you are traveling in Europe and the newspaper is reporting on the activities of Le Republique en Marche near you. You are most likely in __________.
C. A) Iceland B) Scotland C) France D) Northern Ireland
What ideology believes in promoting equality among people, particularly material equality?
D. A) fascism B) conservatism C) classical liberalism D) socialism
Torture is defined as inflicting direct bodily harm, often using an instrument of force. Torture is a form of what type of power?
A. A) coercive B) social C) soft D) economic
What ideology is opposed to egalitarianism or material equality?
A. A) conservatism B) socialism C) classical liberalism D) liberalism
If you place great confidence in your teacher regarding his political knowledge, which source of authority does he represent?
B. A) "everyone" B) specific C) general D) governmental
When there is disagreement within a country about who the legitimate rulers are, it can lead to a civil war. In recent times, where was there a civil war and struggle over sovereignty that lasted for more than 25 years?
A. A) Angola B) Syria C) Tunisia D) Spanish Sahara
While stereotypes are not considered a valid way to judge someone from a given culture, some political scientists have used national character studies to anticipate how any given country is likely to act, based on history, culture, and popular beliefs in that country. Which of the following is an example of a national character?
A. A) Germany is a natural leader for the European Union because the Germans tend to be organized, industrious, and fiscally conservative. B) Since most Americans are pro-gun rights, the National Rifle Association continues to thrive. C) Most French women are highly emotional, so it is unlikely one would ever seek to become president. D) Someone from Mexico is likely to be associated with a drug cartel because it is one of the only ways to make money in that country.
What are the four essential characteristics of the scientific method?
A. A) Science is empirical, cumulative, testable, and entails a search for regularities. B) Science is nonauthoritative, intuitive, based on personal experiences, and testable. C) Science is authoritative, specific, cumulative, and rational. D) Science is rational, intuitive, ideologically based, and entails a search for specifics.
Suppose German twins are separated four months after birth. One grows up in Germany and the other in South Africa. They meet 20 years later and realize they have strikingly similar political beliefs and behaviors. How would you account for this?
A. A) There may be a genetic, biological, or inherited predisposition for political behavior. B) Germany and South Africa have very similar political systems. C) It is likely that they read similar books. D) There is no way to account for it scientifically.
Since World War II, there has been an increase in ethnoreligious conflicts throughout the world. One example is the conflict between Hindus and Buddhists in Sri Lanka. This might be explained by __________.
A. A) a theory of clashing political cultures or political civilizations B) the waning influence of belief in God and religion worldwide C) the glorification of war in modern society D) the rise of religious extremism
What ideology would argue that material inequality is natural and inevitable and that any attempt to promote material equality will only cause social conflict and instability?
A. A) conservatism B) classical liberalism C) liberalism D) socialism
The greatest flaws in theories of national character, as discussed by Samuel Huntington, have been exposed by __________.
A. A) empirical research documenting considerable differences in political beliefs within one country or culture B) recent trends in international immigration and more leniency in global trade regulations C) constraint theories D) world value surveys
Public opinion polls __________.
A. A) gather, aggregate, and summarize the attitudes of many people on certain issues B) test the degree of similarity between civilizations C) provide factual knowledge about history, constitutions, and procedures to politicians D) evoke emotions in a person by using political phenomena
Homo politicus is a phrase coined by Aristotle that __________.
A. A) is not consistent with recent research findings regarding the salience of political issues for most people B) is consistent with recent research findings regarding the salience of political issues for most people C) is often used by present-day politicians D) describes how people form political beliefs
Voting and campaign activities influence the selection and action of political authorities. This demonstrates the concept of __________.
A. A) political action B) linkage institutions C) political systems D) political contributions
Which of the following are furthered when many people come together to join a political group?
A. A) political agendas B) court rulings C) political inertia D) military dictatorships
In France, if the president had an extramarital affair, it would not get much press coverage. In the United States, presidential candidates are scrutinized for marital fidelity and adherence to heterosexual norms. A violation of such norms is sometimes reason for a candidate or elected official to resign. The differences between the two countries can best be explained by differing __________.
A. A) political environments B) demographics C) legal systems D) religious cultures
Politics is the __________.
A. A) process through which power and influence are used in the promotion of certain values and interests B) prescription of what happens in certain circumstances C) distribution of punishment in crimes against society D) stagnant determination of institutional boundaries
Terrorism is the threat of or the use of violence to promote a political agenda. Terrorists usually choose their targets carefully to gain maximum attention and exposure for their cause or grievance. Which theory best explains the political psychology of terrorists?
A. A) rational choice theory B) intergroup relations C) cognitive and affective psychology D) personality and psychodynamics
The difference between normative political theory and empirical political theory can be otherwise described as the difference between __________.
A. A) what should be and what is in society B) political hypothesis and political opinion C) political parties D) the average and the exceptional in society
In order to facilitate the coordination of government operations, political parties tend to __________.
A. A) establish an internal hierarchy B) push back against the influence of lobbyists C) oppose policy ideas from fellow members of the party working in other branches of government D) recruit new candidates to run for political office
Intuition is based on feeling and a sense of understanding or empathy. Which statement below represents an appeal to intuition?
B. A) German Chancellor Angela Merkel helped break the glass ceiling for women in politics! B) Make America Great Again! C) China is a growing global economic power! D) Driving above the speed limit is against the law!
Hannah is a progressive in the United States and votes for the Democratic Party. What is the likely effect of her social networks on her political opinions?
B. A) Hannah's peers and colleagues cause her to frequently question her political opinions. B) The political views expressed by Hannah's peers and colleagues reinforce her political opinions. C) Hannah's peers and colleagues have no effect on her opinions because she already has her own political opinions. D) Hannah often finds herself arguing with her peers and colleagues about politics.
The notion that most Americans have very little political knowledge and are largely ignorant about politics is associated with which researcher?
B. A) Karl Marx B) Philip Converse C) Samuel Huntington D) Aristotle
Nationalism is defined as a powerful commitment to the advancement of the interests and welfare of an individual's own nation with minimal concern about the conditions of those outside the nation. This was demonstrated in violent fashion by which European country before and during World War II?
B. A) Poland B) Germany C) Austria D) France
Mohandas Gandhi and Osama bin Laden came from similar socioeconomic backgrounds and had similar influences in early life, but their political ideologies and behaviors differed dramatically. What shortcoming of political personality research does this highlight?
B. A) Their cases are a puzzling exception because upbringing usually predicts future behaviors. B) Early influences do not necessarily predict later political behavior. C) Psychobiographies account for all the influences on someone's development. D) Mental disorders are not taken into account in political personality research.
Which of the following is a true statement about Samuel Huntington's analyses of civilizations?
B. A) They account for the influences of multiple identities (national, regional, etc.) on one individual. B) They are controversial and not completely supported by empirical evidence. C) They have been completely discredited in subsequent studies. D) Huntington identified five distinct "civilizations."
Certain groups are known as "linkage institutions" because they __________.
B. A) avoid working with other groups to change politics B) tend to link people to the political system C) help to connect the federal government and foreign governments D) bind groups to their economic class
Democratic socialists disagree with Marxist-Leninist socialists on what point?
B. A) corporatism B) the use of violence to promote change C) laissez-faire economics or capitalism D) egalitarianism
Which type of knowledge is evidence-based and obtained through rigorous scientific observation?
B. A) explanatory value knowledge B) empirical political knowledge C) prescriptive value knowledge D) normative political knowledge
If an individual grows up in a society where poverty is widespread, the likelihood that that person will engage in political rebellion is __________.
B. A) higher, because such an environment will produce a frustrated population that will be more responsive to a revolutionary movement promising future prosperity B) difficult to predict C) average, because scholars have found that poverty is not a variable of the environment that influences political behavior D) lower, because people in such a society are too concerned with basic survival to have the time and/or energy to engage in political action
If I were to meet an important politician and spend my time with her describing my personal experiences as an immigrant in order to convince her to take a different position on immigration policy, what kind of evidence would I be using to support my position?
B. A) intuitive B) anecdotal C) empirical D) authoritative
Under which circumstances can a nonassociational interest group become a social movement?
B. A) never, as these groups do not fit the criteria B) when its activities on an issue of social change become more sustained, organized, and reliant on unconventional tactics C) when its supporters increase in number D) when its activities on an issue of social change become more fluid and less violent
What is the most reliable comparative empirical data on political participation in countries around the world?
B. A) participation in major street protests B) voter turnout in national elections C) membership in political parties D) voter registration in particular cities
The fact that the voting rate in Vietnam is so much higher than in the United States illustrates the importance of what in understanding a person's political behavior?
B. A) political aspirations B) environment C) political belief D) personality
Being unmarried, having children, being of higher socioeconomic status, being female, and being non-white are all characteristics that are correlated with __________.
B. A) political inaction B) more contentious political action C) stronger ideological convictions D) feelings of political apathy
Most political organizations could not function effectively without __________ because they do the day-to-day work of politics.
B. A) powerful leaders B) foot soldiers C) revolutionaries D) extremist-activists
Corporatism involves the close cooperation of, and coordination among, major sectoral interest groups such as business, labor, or farmers working alongside _________.
B. A) private citizens B) government agencies C) other interest groups D) judges
Political scientists classify feelings or emotions based on political events as __________ orientations.
B. A) socialist B) affective C) cognitive D) evaluative
A prescription __________.
B. A) specifies why something happens B) is a value judgment that indicates what should occur and should be done C) uses tradition to explain a particular issue D) focuses on straightforward political facts
Which of the following is the most extreme example of how schools can influence a person's political beliefs?
B. A) students write letters to government officials as part of their school assignments B) students memorize the life stories and sayings of their leaders C) pictures of the country's leaders hang in every school room D) students learn about their government, including who their leaders are
Salience is the __________.
B. A) subject matter of a person's beliefs B) importance or significance that a person attaches to his or her beliefs C) consistency of some general principles that characterize a person's belief system D) nature of a person's beliefs
Political theory as a subfield of political science is primarily concerned with __________.
B. A) the diplomatic relations between countries B) ideas and debates concerning important political issues C) concepts pertaining only to the United States D) describing current events and real-world examples of politics in action
Which of the following is the first—and often the most powerful and lasting—agent of political socialization?
B. A) the media B) the family C) social networks D) schools
In the United States, President Bill Clinton was criticized for "renting the Lincoln Bedroom" in the White House. What was the primary purpose of allowing people to spend time in this historic room?
B. A) to allow him to have private conversations with foreign leaders B) to seek political contributions C) to promote a positive view of the administration D) to handle overcrowding of Washington, DC, hotels for dignitaries
Which of the following pairs of ideologies are most opposed to each other?
B. A) classical liberalism and libertarianism B) classical liberalism and Marxist-Leninist socialism C) conservatism and classical liberalism D) conservatism and libertarianism
Research shows that most people's short-term political opinions are __________.
B. A) rigid B) volatile C) stable D) consistent
Which countries do experts believe have operational nuclear devices as part of the so-called "nuclear club"?
C. A) Brazil, Libya, South Africa, Japan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq B) China, Israel, India, Afghanistan, Iran, Australia, South Africa, France, and the United States C) China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States D) Argentina, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia, and China
Why are demographic characteristics so important to study in terms of understanding voting and elections?
C. A) Demographic factors are the primary source of a person's political beliefs. B) Demographic factors do not influence which candidate someone will vote for, but they do influence a person's likelihood of voting. C) Demographic factors influence not only if someone is likely to vote, but also for whom he or she is likely to vote. D) Demographic factors explain culture.
Which of the following best describes the importance of religion in political socialization?
C. A) Religion encourages people to avoid politics. B) Religious extremists believe religion is not connected to the justification of their actions. C) Religion can influence people's political beliefs and actions. D) Religion teaches right from wrong even to people who are not religious.
In Saudi Arabia, what best explains why there are fewer women political activists?
C. A) The Saudi government encourages women to become political activists so they rebel by avoiding activism. B) Women of Saudi Arabia already have all the rights women in the United States strive for. C) Islamic law, as it is applied in Saudi Arabia, does not treat men and women equally. D) Women in Saudi Arabia are less likely to be political activists compared to American women because Saudi women do not want basic rights.
Which of the following statements offers examples of descriptive, explanatory, and prescriptive knowledge (in that order)?
C. A) The United States should never have gone to war against Iraq; the Middle East presents a unique foreign policy challenge; the war in Afghanistan should continue to be fought. B) Jimmy Carter was a one-term president; President George W. Bush was elected to two terms; President Barack Obama was elected to two terms. C) President Barack Obama was elected to two terms; he appealed to younger and minority voters to win campaigns; future Democratic candidates should employ a similar strategy to win. D) Taxes are too high; unemployment should be lower; government regulation should be limited.
National character studies are sometimes criticized because they __________.
C. A) are almost always based on racist and/or sexist ideas B) assert that everyone fits the national character profile C) are often generalizations that oversimplify political reality D) can never be validated scientifically
An ideal type is a __________.
C. A) broker of ideas B) group that is only interested in pursuing political objectives C) set of distinctive forms of a phenomenon defined in order to reveal the different ways in which key characteristics can be combined D) short-lived, spontaneous aggregation of people who are good at dealing quickly with a political concern of interest to them
Philip Converse's research found that a small group of Americans possesses a sophisticated political belief system with detailed political knowledge, while the rest of the population is largely ignorant in terms of political knowledge. How did Converse characterize the belief system of this small group?
C. A) conservative B) mass C) elite D) pluralist
A sovereign state has the right to resist and reject any aggression, invasion, or intervention within its territorial borders. This is characteristic of its territorial __________.
C. A) entity B) nation-state C) integrity D) dependence
Some scholars argue that the best situation for effective governance is one in which an area has both the territorial borders of a single state and a citizenry who all share the same primary national identity—in other words, a(n) __________.
C. A) indigenous state B) stateless nation C) nation-state D) multinational state
Territorial integrity can be a fuzzy concept because __________.
C. A) not all borders are guarded B) nations and states are difficult to distinguish between C) there are often disputes over borders D) the legitimacy of rulers is often called into question
If you were evaluating rates of voter turnout in 10 different countries, what subfield of political science would be involved?
C. A) political theory B) American politics C) comparative politics D) international relations
Identity politics means that a key shared trait has led a significant group of people to see themselves as distinctive. Which of the following traits would be considered a major political factor around which an identity is likely to be formed?
C. A) prestige B) survival C) religion D) eye color
Associational interest groups are formed to __________.
C. A) promote nationalistic identity, mostly in Europe B) achieve goals other than affecting the political system C) further the political objectives of their own members D) allow people to share some common hobbies in a temporary setting
What factor has increased the willingness and ability of individuals to join in public protests against unpopular regimes, leaders, and policies?
C. A) repressive practices B) giving women driver's licenses C) social networking technologies D) increased suffrage
A high-quality and smoothly operating public transportation system in a country would be an example of a form of values that are __________.
C. A) services B) symbolic goods C) material goods D) conditions
What framework of analysis would best explain why two rival tribes are in conflict?
C. A) social network theory B) the psychodynamics approach C) the intergroup relations approach D) personality formation
What ideology values individual freedom above all and believes the role of government should be quite limited?
C. A) socialism B) fascism C) classical liberalism D) conservatism
Which of the following groups is most likely to participate in the next U.S. presidential election?
C. A) swing voters B) those who did not participate in the previous election C) people who are highly educated with higher income D) college students
Which group is considered an extremist group on the basis of its willingness to pursue extensive, radical agendas through any means necessary?
C. A) the World Wildlife Foundation in the United States B) the National League for Democracy in Myanmar C) Boko Haram D) Mothers Against Drunk Driving
If the government of a state convicts someone of a violent crime against a fellow citizen and sentences that person to death through a legal process, it is an example of __________.
C. A) the pretext for a humanitarian intervention B) a dispute over the legitimacy of rulers C) the legitimate use of force to enforce laws within its borders in accordance with the notion of sovereignty D) the legitimate use of force in the maintenance of territorial integrity
Which of the following is a correct assessment of the role of demographic characteristics in predicting voting behavior?
D. A) Demographic characteristics are irrelevant in explaining voting behavior. B) Demographic characteristics are not reliable predictors of how someone is likely to vote. C) Demographic characteristics are an unreliable basis for determining voting behavior because these characteristics change from election to election. D) Demographic characteristics can predict how someone is likely to vote.
Researchers often use public opinion polls to determine what percentage of people hold a particular political belief. Why should these polls be regarded with caution?
D. A) Polls are never reliable because there are so many methods for conducting them. B) Polls are only sponsored by political candidates who will manipulate the numbers. C) Most people are not politically informed and are likely to choose random answers in a poll. D) The researchers conducting the poll could be biased, or the data could be open to different interpretations.
A few disaffected Muslim teenagers are planning a terrorist attack in revenge for the mistreatment and persistent discrimination they have experienced. Recent studies of the psychology of those who engage in terrorist attacks have found that terrorists tend to share certain traits. Which of the following is likely to be true about these teenagers and their motivations?
D. A) They have high self-esteem. B) They were abused as children. C) They were recruited by a political party. D) They feel alienated and frustrated.
Politics is associated with those aspects of life that __________.
D. A) are not affiliated with individuals' interests B) only have personal and private significance C) center on personal conflict D) have public significance
In contrast to ideological parties, pragmatic parties tend to __________.
D. A) be rigid in their beliefs and place greater demands on government B) work outside of the system to bring about change by any means necessary C) hold a permanent place in government and work to limit the power of other parties D) hold more flexible goals and are oriented toward moderate or incremental policy change
In addition to Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy, which other groups stand in the greatest numbers against the military dictatorship in Myanmar?
D. A) civil servants and atheists B) college professors and Christian missionaries C) diplomats and Islamic scholars D) college students and Buddhist monks
What approach to political psychology—explaining political behavior according to psychology—claims that people have relatively stable preferences and that they will try to think through how to achieve outcomes consistent with those preferences?
D. A) cognitive and affective psychology B) intergroup relations C) personality and psychodynamics D) rational choice theory
We know that the standard practices of politics vary by country. Thus, political scientists would be interested in a situation in which one country considers something to be __________ and another country considers it to be __________.
D. A) ethical; moral B) standard; illegal C) valued; important D) private; public
In almost every contemporary society, the domains subject to politics __________.
D. A) focus primarily on the economy B) focus mainly on individual rights C) are guided by religious principles D) are very large
The Universal Human Rights Declaration adopted by the United Nations in 1948 defines respect for human rights as __________.
D. A) life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness B) freedom of speech and the right to vote C) liberty for all D) life, liberty, and the security of person
Since we know that the broader cultural, social, economic, and physical environments can have indirect but powerful influences on a person's political behavior, we can posit that a woman who grows up in Saudi Arabia, where the culture traditionally relegates women to a secondary role, is __________.
D. A) not going to run for office because it is illegal B) just as likely to run for office as a man because she anticipates getting support from the women of her country C) more likely to run for office than her Norwegian counterpart because Saudi women need more progress for women's equality in their country D) less likely to run for office than her counterpart in Rwanda, where the government values women in office
Imagine a group that is established to push for specific political changes, but does not attempt to elect candidates to public office. This would mean that the group would fail to be considered a(n) __________.
D. A) private group B) nonprofit organization C) interest group D) political party
Political beliefs based on a synthesis of facts and feelings are called __________ orientations.
D. A) socialist B) affective C) cognitive D) evaluative
The study of international relationships includes knowledge about international organizations. Which of the following organizations is considered an international organization?
D. A) the U.S. Senate B) the Texas state legislature C) the British monarchy D) the United Nations
The key element of the subfield of comparative politics is that it focuses on __________.
D. A) the political relations among countries B) the ideas and debates that consider the dynamics of the worldwide system C) the behavior of transnational actors D) similarities and differences in political processes and structures
In Iran, the Koran is the central Islamic religious text. Political scientists would consider this a __________.
D. A) universal authority document B) specific authority source C) nonauthoritative religious source D) general authority source
When taken together, characteristics such as age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, social class, and occupation are known as a person's __________ characteristics.
D. A) visible B) invisible C) dynamic D) demographic
One of the overarching goals of a state is to provide security, the most fundamental aspect of which is __________.
D. A) welfare distribution B) order maintenance C) democratization D) survival
Social networks include friends and colleagues from peer groups such as work, school, and church. Which of the following best describes the effect social networks have on political socialization?
D. A) Social networks have no effect on a person's political beliefs. B) Social networks are the first step in the socialization process. C) As a person gets older, social networks have minimal effect on his or her political activities. D) A person tends to be influenced by what "people like me" think.
Why are boundary-spanning hybrids of the discipline of political science valuable?
D. A) They focus on political relations in countries other than the United States. B) They avoid methods based on rationality. C) They are limited to characterization and interpretation of the writings of lesser-known political theorists. D) They link with other fields of inquiry.
Personal thought is problematic as a source of political knowledge because __________.
D. A) few people understand its uses in the scientific method B) everyone tends to have the same experiences within a particular country and therefore there are no "original" ideas for solving problems C) it fails to take economic considerations into account D) people have different experiences, thereby reaching different opinions, and there is no method for resolving these differences
