Chat with AIExam 1: Introduction: the Study of Politics
Explain one way in which politics can bring out the worst in human nature. In your answer, consider the example of Eichmann.
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Answered by Examlex AI CopilotOne way in which politics can bring out the worst in human nature is through the phenomenon of groupthink. Groupthink occurs when individuals prioritize group consensus and harmony over critical thinking and independent judgment. This can lead to individuals suppressing their own moral compass and blindly following the decisions and actions of the group, even if they go against their own values.
A notable example of this is Adolf Eichmann, a high-ranking Nazi official who played a key role in organizing the Holocaust. During his trial in 1961, Eichmann famously claimed that he was simply following orders and did not feel personally responsible for the atrocities committed. This defense highlighted how Eichmann had succumbed to groupthink and allowed himself to be swept up in the collective ideology of the Nazi regime, ultimately leading to his participation in heinous acts.
In the context of politics, groupthink can lead to individuals rationalizing and justifying unethical or immoral actions in the pursuit of political goals. This can result in the dehumanization of others, the erosion of empathy, and the prioritization of power and control over ethical considerations. Ultimately, politics can bring out the worst in human nature by fostering an environment where individuals are willing to compromise their values and commit harmful actions in service of a larger political agenda.
Define the concept of politics. In your definition, consider Lasswell's description of political science: "Who gets what, when, how."
(40) Answered by Examlex AI CopilotPolitics is a multifaceted concept that encompasses the activities, actions, and policies used to gain and hold power in a government or to influence the government. It involves the negotiation and application of power among individuals, groups, and institutions to make collective decisions for a society. Politics is present in all human group interactions, including corporate, academic, religious, and of course, governmental settings.
Harold D. Lasswell, a prominent political scientist, famously described politics in an economical and process-oriented way: "Who gets what, when, how." This description encapsulates the essence of politics by focusing on the distribution of resources, benefits, and privileges within a society. It also highlights the mechanisms of decision-making and the strategies employed to achieve certain outcomes.
Breaking down Lasswell's description:
1. "Who" refers to the individuals or groups involved in the political process. This includes politicians, government officials, lobbyists, interest groups, and the electorate—essentially, anyone who has a stake in or influence over political outcomes.
2. "Gets what" pertains to the stakes of political activity. This could be anything from tangible resources like money, land, or jobs, to intangible benefits like power, status, or legal rights. It's about the allocation of values and how society's rewards and sanctions are distributed among its members.
3. "When" addresses the timing of political outcomes. Political processes can be immediate or drawn out over time, and the timing can significantly affect the impact and reception of political decisions.
4. "How" speaks to the methods and tactics used to achieve political goals. This includes the processes of negotiation, legislation, enforcement, and the various forms of influence such as persuasion, coercion, or even corruption.
Incorporating Lasswell's description into a broader definition, politics can be understood as the ongoing negotiation and struggle over the distribution of power and resources within a community or society. It is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions and establish the rules and policies that govern their behavior, often mediated by institutions and structured by laws, customs, and power dynamics. Politics determines who has access to power and resources, the conditions under which they are distributed, and the means by which these distributions are carried out.
If a person believes it's problematic to have money as the sole source of power within a country, what could a political scientist offer as a counterargument?
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Explain the main difference between possessing power and possessing authority. Consider in your response what each requires from those ruling and those being ruled.
(43) Which of the following describes groups who share a common identity but no longer claim a geographic location or territory?
(50) When it comes to sovereignty, describe the difference between a republican form of government and a monarchical form of government.
(44) What is necessary in order for a group of individuals to form into a society?
(48) Which of the following is the process by which a community selects rulers and empowers them to make decisions, achieve goals, and settle disputes within the community?
(43) How can politics bring out the best in human nature? In your response, consider the actions of Oskar Schindler.
(49) A government is seen as legitimate when which of the following occurs?
(39) A peer-reviewed political science journal published an article that discusses the impact a new oil distribution approach has on economic success in the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia. What subfield of political science would this study fall under?
(36) Which of the following is considered a basic concept of politics?
(37) If a political scientist studies the inputs and outputs of the governing process, which subfield do they fall under?
(41) Which of the following is affected when politics shapes the circumstances impacting the daily decisions collectively made by citizens?
(44) Which of the following is a characteristic of a country possessing a high level of liberty?
(25) What is the most important thing a country must consider when fostering the public's interest?
(33) If a person holding an hourly wage job was observed to vote for the same political party over and over again because that political party repeatedly voted to increase the minimum wage, what type of behavior would a political scientist attribute this to?
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