Deck 18: Progressive Plan to Solve Social Problems

Question 1

The sociological perspective is inherently __________ the individualistic emphasis in the United States.

A) challenging to
B) supportive of
C) combined with
D) intertwined with

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which subsidy has stayed intact?

A) Aid to Families with Dependent Children
B) Food stamps
C) The exemption for taxes paid on housing by homeowners
D) American Assistance to Minorities Act

Answer 2

C

Question 3

When politicians set __________ they are concerned with design, setting goals, and determining means to achieve those goals.

A) human agency
B) gerrymandering
C) devolution
D) social policy

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Which of the following groups believes in reducing rather than expanding the welfare safety net?

A) Republicans
B) Democrats
C) Women
D) Men

Question 5

Lance believes that the correct approach to understanding the world is to focus on the social, economic, and historical circumstances that produce social arrangements. Lance is a(n) __________

A) psychologist
B) politician
C) socialist
D) sociologist

Question 6

A plutocracy is a __________ and it undermines the notion of a collective democracy.

A) society in which many different groups share power
B) society controlled by a few leading companies
C) form of government that is often installed by revolutionaries
D) government ruled by the wealthy class

Question 7

In terms of policy, immigration is a __________ issue.

A) local
B) state
C) regional
D) federal

Question 8

Anthony believes that people take control of their own lives and the conditions in which they live and shape the society around them. Anthony would support an understanding of society that gives strong emphasis to __________.

A) social structure
B) human agency
C) a liberal ideology
D) social policy

Question 9

According to the text, sociologists are ________ by those in power.

A) respected
B) ignored
C) heeded
D) admired

Question 10

People who find the sociological approach to social problems compelling can only conclude that America's level of inequality is __________.

A) by design
B) not important
C) due to personal choices
D) impossible to change

Question 11

Sociologists understand the deterministic view to __________.

A) be the most complete understanding of society
B) be an organization set up to provide social services for the poor
C) be too strong.
D) mean that individuals cannot make a difference

Question 12

Individuals act alone or together, exercising their __________ to alter and transform social arrangements.

A) plutocracy
B) human agency
C) determinism
D) devolution

Question 13

Taking care of oneself and one's family and letting others take care of themselves is the principle of __________.

A) American individualism
B) promoting the common good
C) socialism
D) survival of the fittest

Question 14

The ideological consensus among Republicans, Blue Dog Democrats, and various pressure groups includes the idea that __________.

A) individuals' failure to succeed is their own fault
B) corporations' failure to succeed is their own fault
C) direct government subsidies to corporations exacerbate social problems
D) the welfare safety net should be expanded

Question 15

Political conservatives stand for __________.

A) a larger safety net
B) incentives to work
C) increased size of government
D) progressive social policy

Question 16

Peter believes that society gives shape to everything we do, and that even the emotions we feel and our own consciousness are fully regulated by social structures. Peter's beliefs align with the __________.

A) human agency emphasis
B) deterministic view
C) sociological dilemma
D) plutocracy

Question 17

Adrian is not in favor of the social policy changes that have occurred in the United States over the last two decades and supports a __________ approach to social policy in general.

A) plutocracy
B) gerrymandering
C) progressive
D) stratified

Question 18

The "paradox of sociology" includes __________.

A) there being power in individuals and power in societies and social arrangements
B) there being only negative consequences to how societies are organized
C) the fact that things society cherishes are always liberating ethical
D) the fact that sociology has more answers but psychology is more popular

Question 19

Which subsidy has been cut?

A) The exemption for taxes paid on housing by homeowners
B) Aid to Families with Dependent Children
C) Federal student loans
D) Defense contracts

Question 20

In general, the American infrastructure can be considered __________.

A) in excellent shape
B) in need of extensive repair
C) to be failing
D) nonexistent

Question 21

Paul believes that politics is guided by the "golden rule": Those who have the gold make the rules. Thus, Paul believes that the United States is a __________.

A) plutocracy
B) democracy
C) socialist state
D) communist state

Question 22

From the progressive position, the poor have fared badly because of __________.

A) erosion of their labor opportunities
B) the stock market
C) farm subsidies
D) their work ethic

Question 23

__________ occurs when districts are carved up by the party in power to maintain their favorable balance of power.

A) gerrymandering
B) election rigging
C) district swapping
D) setting up powerful lobbying groups

Question 24

Barriers to progressive reform include a __________.

A) weak belief in individualism
B) weak labor union movement
C) small federal budget deficit
D) spirit of political compromise

Question 25

Alex believes, among other things, that the United States should do a much better job of providing for vulnerable citizens who cannot provide for themselves including, especially, children. Alex is in favor of __________.

A) a progressive agenda
B) a conservative social policy
C) gerrymandering
D) a plutocracy

Question 26

Following WWII and lasting for about three decades, society became more _____ toward racial integration.

A) antagonistic
B) regressive
C) inclusive
D) neutral

Question 27

Which is true about the United States compared to other industrialized nations?

A) best educational system
B) highest poverty rate
C) best infrastructure
D) a system of anarchy

Question 28

Which of the following is a progressive proposal advanced by the authors of the text?

A) A sense of moral obligation to the wealthy
B) Government programs that provide for those who can't do so for themselves
C) A special commitment to adults
D) Decreased taxes for everyone

Question 29

Just before the last election cycle the members of a state house of representatives got together and redrew the boundaries for various voting districts. The group that held power at the time consistently blocked efforts to draw boundaries favorable to the minority party and instead divided the state in a way that would ensure them the most votes in a process known as __________.

A) a plutocracy
B) devolution
C) gerrymandering
D) unionizing

Question 30

Programs such as the AFDC, food stamps, and Head Start are known as __________.

A) a social safety net
B) a special commitment to children
C) affirmative action
D) gerrymandering

Question 31

Gerrymandering results in many voting districts in the United States where the primary election essentially determines the final winner. This results in __________ moderates being elected.

A) no
B) fewer
C) more
D) all

Question 32

Of the following, which country has the wealthiest pay the lowest taxes and have more tax loopholes?

A) The United States
B) Germany
C) France
D) England

Question 33

What is blocking progressive change?

A) The power of money
B) The rush to raise taxes
C) A spirit of political compromise
D) A widespread support of conservative policies and values

Question 34

One barrier to progressive change is that those who will benefit most from progressive social policies are________.

A) already wealthy
B) the least likely to vote
C) gender-based
D) youth-based

Question 35

Funds to finance a progressive agenda could come from __________.

A) decreasing taxes
B) eliminating corporate welfare
C) reducing the education budget
D) eliminating food stamps

Question 36

Elimination of poverty in disadvantaged urban and rural areas should include __________.

A) eliminating federal assistance for schools and job training
B) eliminating federal assistance for infrastructure
C) new tax rebates to encourage businesses to relocate there
D) relocating rural populations to urban areas

Question 37

Devolution includes __________.

A) the movement to return social programs to states
B) the dismantling of social programs like Affirmative Action
C) the federal government's attempt to redistribute wealth
D) society becoming more collectivist

Question 38

Which of the following is a time during which significant reforms were undertaken in the United States?

A) The Great Depression era
B) The post-World War II era
C) The Civil War era
D) The Cold War era

Question 39

The 2010 Supreme Court decision to allow corporations and other organizations the right to give unlimited amounts of money to affect the political process is an example of how America has become a ___________.

A) plutocracy
B) democracy
C) socialist state
D) communist state

Question 40

Kozol uses the phrase __________ to refer to the notion that all of society is responsible for child neglect.

A) collective sin
B) collective neglect
C) sinful individualism
D) collective individualism

Question 41

As characterized by the text, Blue Dog Democrats are __________ in their political leanings.

Question 42

Chad is starting to get discouraged because he has spent a lot of time and energy working for social change, but does not think he has made much of a difference. He is comforted by the words of Frances Fox Piven, the sociologist, who noted, in regard to predicting social movements that __________.

A) they come every fifty years
B) most of the really important work has already been done
C) no one can successfully predict when they will occur
D) social movements are not really necessary anymore

Question 43

Which of the following is considered a barrier to progressive change?

A) Poor infrastructure
B) The strong labor unions
C) The Tea Party Movement.
D) The massive multi-trillion dollar debt

Question 44

Policies and behaviors that enhance our moral obligations to our neighbors and their children are directly at odds with our society's value on __________.

Question 45

The authors suggest that a progressive agenda could be financed in part by reducing the __________ budget, which is less needed since the Soviet threat is gone.

Question 46

The large federal deficit __________ a progressive agenda.

Question 47

__________ can be effective components of progressive social policy giving voice to those without individual power.

Question 48

In the last decade, the ___________, which is opposed to progressive reform, spoke for many who felt politically alienated.

A) The Progressive Party
B) The Tea Party
C) The Republican Party
D) The Green Party

Question 49

The United States has the __________ rate of poverty among the industrialized countries, has a growing racial divide, and is moving toward a two-tiered society.

Question 50

One argument for a progressive attack on social problems is that______________.

A) the wealthy should donate 50 percent of their wealth
B) we need to restore a moral commitment to the safety net
C) problems are finally approachable and solvable
D) the idea of individualism is receding

Question 51

Which of the following is suggested for instituting social change?

A) Educating the public
B) Organizing on a national level
C) Electing candidates with strong differences and deep commitments to funders
D) Strengthening lobbying groups

Question 52

The fact that __________ is used as a rationale for a progressive plan.

A) inequality may threaten domestic security
B) social problems are exacerbated by helping the poor
C) our society has no inherent obligation to provide a social safety net
D) progressive policies are cheaper in the short run

Question 53

Jonathan Kozol cites the fact that as a society we seem more ready to spend money to punish a child who grows up to commit a crime than to spend money to educate the child and prevent the crime in the first place as evidence of our collective __________.

Question 54

Little more than a century ago, the __________ Era began as a reaction to unchecked capitalism, the robber barons, economic exploitation, and political corruption.

Question 55

__________ constrains what we do, but it does not determine what we do.

Question 56

Erica, a senior sociology major, looks to the civil rights movement and the history of labor unions in the United States to support her conclusion that __________.

A) only governments can enact social change
B) social structure is deterministic
C) individual people have agency and can change the status quo
D) all of the necessary social changes have been accomplished

Question 57

In a process called __________, the current Congress wants to return most social programs back to the states.

Question 58

Union membership in the United States is presently __________.

A) weak
B) increasing significantly
C) representing half of the workforce
D) increasing slightly

Question 59

Which of the following is NOT a way for people to work collectively to transform society?

A) Demonstrating to promote a cause
B) Electing allied candidates
C) Using strategic violence to promote change
D) Organizing at the grassroots level

Question 60

Individuals in the civil rights movement worked together toward racial equality following __________.

A) the Civil War
B) World War II
C) the Great Recession
D) the New Deal

Question 61

Sociologists are rejected by those in power largely because they do not use mathematical models to test their theories.

Question 62

Discuss "the sociological dilemma" and the benefits that would come with policymakers overcoming their bias against sociologists.
Ideal

Question 63

Discuss the relationship of social policy and social problems.

Question 64

A strong union movement would almost certainly not support the government implementing progressive social policies.

Question 65

Because the authors focus on structural changes, they argue individuals need not attempt to change.

Question 66

The Depression era, which brought such programs as Social Security and unemployment insurance, is evidence that a progressive period is possible in the United States.

Question 67

Why do the authors of the text call for a particular focus on children?

Question 68

Discuss how the United States might finance a more progressive agenda.
Ideal

Question 69

Control of federal and state legislatures by political conservatives promises to advance social reforms.

Question 70

Discuss the principles proposed by the authors that are needed to guide public policy with the goal of reducing or eliminating social problems in the United States.
Ideal

Question 71

The authors of the text argue for a decrease in taxes on the wealthy to spur a progressive period in this country.

Question 72

Discuss the meaning and implications of the "paradox of sociology."

Question 73

Progressive Social Policy: What would it take to implement? What would have to be overcome?
Ideal

Question 74

Following World War II and lasting for about three decades, society became more inclusive in the United States.

Question 75

Give an example of a way in which you, a friend, or a family member has demonstrated human agency.

Question 76

After WWII, Congress opened up college education to all social classes by passing the GI Bill, which made college a reality for millions of returning veterans of all class and racial backgrounds.

Question 77

Because of how societies are organized, even if some of the arrangements result in social problems, they can't be changed to reduce or eliminate those problems.

Question 78

Throughout U.S. history, individuals have organized to change elements of society that they deemed unethical, unjust, racist, sexist, or oppressive.

Question 79

Describe Kozol's term "collective sin".

Question 80

Why do the authors of the text argue for a national rather than a state or local approach? What are the impacts of each? What barriers would have to be overcome to implement a national approach?
Ideal