Deck 13: Politics and the Economy

Question 1

The state is distinguished from other political institutions by which two characteristics?

A) coercion and regulation of conflict
B) authority and mediation of conflict
C) breadth of legitimate jurisdiction and control of the use of coercion
D) legitimacy and breadth of jurisdiction

Answer 1

C

Question 2

American government is based on:

A) traditional authority.
B) charismatic authority.
C) democratic authority.
D) rational-legal authority.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The exercise of power through force or the threat of force is called:

A) conflict.
B) coercion.
C) authority.
D) influence.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Power supported by norms and values that legitimate its use is termed:

A) authority.
B) coercion.
C) influence.
D) tradition.

Question 5

?Decision?making power based on the sanctity of time?honored routines is called:

A) charismatic authority.
B) rational?legal authority.
C) traditional authority.
D) moral authority.

Question 6

A distinction between authority and coercion is that authority:

A) rests is supported by norms and values.
B) requires no power.
C) is less stable.
D) involves greater inequality of power.

Question 7

An employer tells his employees that he will fire them if they sign a gay rights petition that is coming up before the city council.This is an example of:

A) rational?legal authority.
B) influence.
C) charismatic authority.
D) coercion.

Question 8

The ability to get others to do something against their wishes is called:

A) power.
B) influence.
C) politics.
D) conflict.

Question 9

The successful exercise of authority typically involves:

A) rational-legal authority.
B) charismatic authority.
C) traditional authority.
D) a combination of two or more forms of authority.

Question 10

All types of authority depend upon:

A) how charismatic the leader is.
B) the agreement of the subordinates.
C) the distribution of power.
D) unanimous acceptance of the subordinates.

Question 11

When Justin does not want to mow the lawn his father tells him he must.Justin asks why,and his father says,"Because I'm the father and I say so." His father is exercising:

A) persuasion.
B) traditional authority.
C) charismatic authority.
D) rational-legal authority.

Question 12

Your text concludes that as society becomes larger and more complex,the jurisdiction of the state:

A) becomes more coercive.
B) is increasingly traditional.
C) is growing.
D) has become illegitimate.

Question 13

When combined,all the institutions concerned with the social structure of power are called:

A) states.
B) jurisdictions.
C) repressive organizations.
D) politics.

Question 14

The most prominent political institution is the:

A) family.
B) state.
C) military.
D) legal system.

Question 15

Which of these three is NOT one of the bases of authority noted by Weber?

A) exchange
B) tradition
C) law
D) charisma

Question 16

Carol tells her mother that it is her sister's turn to mow the lawn because she mowed it last week and the family agreed that each person would take turns at chores.Which type of authority is this an example?

A) rational-legal authority
B) coercion
C) charismatic authority
D) traditional authority

Question 17

Professor Smith's syllabus for introductory sociology states that part of the course grade is based on essay assignments.The students in the class write several essays.Students follow the requirements because they are based on:

A) social influence.
B) charismatic authority.
C) rational?legal authority.
D) traditional authority.

Question 18

To say that the state claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of coercion means that:

A) all coercion by the state is legitimate.
B) the state determines who can use coercion legitimately.
C) all state power is coercive.
D) the state is the only institution that uses coercion.

Question 19

The social structure that claims a monopoly on the legitimate use of coercion and physical force within a territory is called:

A) the state.
B) the economy.
C) the military.
D) a political party.

Question 20

Rational-legal authority is best described as:

A) authority based on extraordinary personal characteristics.
B) authority based on the sanctity of time honored routines.
C) authority based on submission to a set of reasonably established rules.
D) exercise of power through force or threat of force.

Question 21

A minority group wishes to increase its power.The strategy it takes is to become major stockholders in military industries,send its children to the Harvard School of Business and to summer in Kennebunkport.This strategy assumes the:

A) power elite model.
B) pluralist model.
C) conflict/dialectic model.
D) state autonomy model.

Question 22

According to the model of the power elite,the non-elite are most likely to gain power if:

A) they attempt a military coup.
B) they run for political office.
C) they organize into unions and social movements.
D) None of these; the non-elite cannot achieve power according to the power elite model.

Question 23

The Arab Spring protests were sparked by the:

A) election of Barack Obama
B) drawdown of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan
C) protest of a Tunisian street vendor
D) attacks on 9/11

Question 24

Authoritarian governments:

A) have virtually disappeared throughout the world.
B) rest exclusively on coercion.
C) may govern through traditional authority.
D) rely solely on terror and fear.

Question 25

Which of these statements concerning globalization is FALSE?

A) Globalization only began to occur during the twentieth century.
B) Many economic and legal situations are addressed by globalization.
C) Within globalization, in some cases multinational corporations have as much influence as nation states.
D) Economic downturns have caused some nations to withdraw support for agreements fostering globalization.

Question 26

The Arab Spring protests have centered on all of the following EXCEPT:

A) government corruption.
B) lack of democratic freedoms.
C) income inequality.
D) religious intolerance.

Question 27

The pluralist model of political power is most associated with:

A) conflict theory.
B) structural-functionalism.
C) symbolic interactionism.
D) feminist theory.

Question 28

The three bureaucracies that Mills identified as being vital to controlling U.S.decision-making are:

A) military, religion, and government.
B) government, industry, and military.
C) industry, education, and military.
D) government, industry, and education.

Question 29

A(n)__________ is a political system that provides regular opportunities for a change in leadership according to the will of the majority.

A) state
B) authoritarian system
C) democracy
D) republic

Question 30

How has the international balance of power been impacted by globalization?

A) The power of the nation state has increased.
B) The power of the nation state has decreased.
C) Multinational corporations have diminished in importance.
D) Nation states have grown increasingly isolated.

Question 31

According to the ________,a system of checks and balances and competition and cooperation among governmental and nongovernmental groups prevents any single group from being able to force its will on the others.

A) power elite model
B) conflict/dialectic model
C) state autonomy model
D) pluralist model

Question 32

According to Mills,the power elite are those who:

A) own the means of production.
B) have prestige and honor.
C) occupy the top positions in the military, industry, and the executive branch of government.
D) have great traditional authority.

Question 33

A minority group wishes to increase its power.Its strategy is to win elective office and line up political allies in the legislative branch.This strategy assumes the:

A) power elite model.
B) pluralist model.
C) conflict/dialectic model.
D) state autonomy model.

Question 34

From the perspective of structural-functionalism,pluralism in the U.S.:

A) is not possible.
B) works because different groups have power in different areas, and no group is able to force their will on the others.
C) only works because it has the coercive power of the state behind it.
D) supports the interests of the elite.

Question 35

A government such as that of Afghanistan under the Taliban or Cuba under Castro is best characterized as:

A) authoritarian.
B) democratic.
C) fascist.
D) charismatic.

Question 36

Which of these is NOT a type of coercion typically used by the state?

A) taxation or other means of taking money
B) the arrest, imprisonment, and even killing of citizens under certain conditions
C) dictating the amount and types of spiritual beliefs permitted
D) negotiating or engaging in armed conflict with other countries

Question 37

Which of the following is typical of societies with democracy?

A) A lack of competing interest groups
B) A homogeneous society
C) A history of monarchy
D) A large and relatively affluent middle class

Question 38

In a democratic contest,competing groups are most likely to abide by rules and decisions when:

A) they are coerced.
B) they fear reprisals for noncompliance.
C) they share basic values and interests.
D) the society is small and completely homogeneous.

Question 39

According to the text,how has the power elite within the U.S.changed over time?

A) Today, the military has much more power than ever before.
B) The power elite have become smaller and more homogeneous than ever.
C) A new cultural elite, made up of celebrities and religious leaders, has grown.
D) All of these are fairly recent changes in the composition of the power elite.

Question 40

C.Wright Mills is a central figure in the development of the:

A) pluralist model of American democracy.
B) conflict/dialectic model of pluralism.
C) power elite model.
D) state autonomy model.

Question 41

According to your text,people with higher incomes are __________ likely to vote and people with higher educational attainment are __________ likely to vote.

A) more; more
B) more; less
C) less; more
D) less; less

Question 42

In the U.S.,about _________ of the population typically does NOT vote in local elections.

A) 10%
B) 25%
C) 50%
D) 75%

Question 43

It is estimated that how many people cannot vote because of ex-felon disenfranchisement?

A) 535,000
B) 1.4 million
C) 3.8 million
D) 5.4 million

Question 44

The loss of voting privileges suffered by those who have been convicted of a felony is called:

A) lifetime disenfranchisement.
B) ex-felon no-vote.
C) ex-felon power restriction.
D) ex-felon disenfranchisement.

Question 45

Political participation is:

A) highest among the young.
B) highest among those in their 30s and 40s.
C) high for all groups over 30.
D) increasingly likely with age.

Question 46

Economic institutions are defined as social structures concerned with:

A) jobs and surplus.
B) the organization of work and productivity.
C) the production and distribution of goods.
D) budgets and deficits.

Question 47

Passage of the National Voter Registration Act resulted in:

A) lower rates of voter registration.
B) increased voter registration rates.
C) the removal of all barriers to voting.
D) the removal of all barriers to voting and increased voter registration rates.

Question 48

Which of these combinations of characteristics describes the person MOST likely to vote in a U.S.election?

A) African American, middle-class, high school graduate
B) African American, upper-class, college graduate
C) Hispanic, middle-class, age 18-24
D) White, middle-age, middle-class, college graduate

Question 49

Women are more likely to identify themselves as a __________ and those with less than a high school degree are likely to identify themselves as a __________.

A) Republican; Democrat
B) Democrat; Republican
C) Democrat; Democrat
D) Republican; Republican

Question 50

U.S.citizens are __________ to vote compared to citizens of other Western nations.

A) much more likely
B) slightly more likely
C) as likely
D) about half as likely

Question 51

Increasingly,a growing number of voters:

A) align themselves with the Democrats.
B) align themselves with the Republicans.
C) align themselves with neither party.
D) align themselves with neither party and declare an intention to vote on the basis of issues rather than on party lines.

Question 52

What is the effect of felon disenfranchisement on election results?

A) Those who favor helping the poor are more likely to get elected.
B) Those who favor helping the poor are less likely to get elected.
C) There is no effect on election results.
D) Democrats are more likely to get elected.

Question 53

Members of which of these racial-ethnic groups are LEAST likely to vote:

A) non-Hispanic white
B) Hispanic American
C) African American
D) Asian American.

Question 54

Approximately what proportion of U.S.voters call themselves independents?

A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 45%
D) 60%

Question 55

The youngest voters are more likely to be affiliated with the __________ Party.

A) Libertarian
B) Green
C) Democratic
D) Republican

Question 56

Which of the following is NOT a reason so few U.S.citizens vote except:

A) Many believe there are so few differences between the major parties that it doesn't matter who is elected.
B) There have been few attempts to involve marginalized groups by the political parties.
C) Many people believe that the political process is so corrupt that it doesn't matter whether they vote or note.
D) Many people choose not to vote as a protest against corruption.

Question 57

Research indicates that the factor MOST strongly related to whether or not a person is likely to vote is:

A) age.
B) social class.
C) race.
D) sex.

Question 58

In the U.S.,what percentage of the voting-age population is registered to vote?

A) one-fourth
B) one-third
C) two-thirds
D) three-fourths

Question 59

As income and education levels in the U.S.have increased over the past century,voting rates have:

A) also increased.
B) decreased.
C) remained the same.
D) no longer been tracked.

Question 60

Patterns of political participation by social class show that:

A) the working class is most likely to vote.
B) the higher the social class, the higher the rate of participation.
C) the lower the social class, the higher the rate of participation.
D) class no longer affects voting participation.

Question 61

Over the last fifty years,the fastest growing production sector is the _________ production sector.

A) primary?seq level0 \h \r0 ???seq level1 \h \r0 ???seq level2 \h \r0 ???seq level3 \h \r0 ???seq level4 \h \r0 ???seq level5 \h \r0 ???seq level6 \h \r0 ???seq level7 \h \r0
B) secondary
C) tertiary
D) corporate

Question 62

In the "Wal-Mart Economy," companies like Wal-Mart control all of the following EXCEPT:

A) competitor prices
B) supplier wages to workers
C) prices for goods from suppliers
D) supplier costs

Question 63

Although there has been a trend toward socialism throughout the western nations,__________ has done the least to move toward creating a mixed economy.

A) Canada
B) France
C) Germany
D) the United States

Question 64

Which of the following workers is NOT engaged in tertiary production?

A) physician
B) auto worker at GM
C) TV repairperson
D) barber

Question 65

Which of the following statements is true for postindustrial societies?

A) Primary production is no longer important.
B) A large service sector depends on productive primary and secondary sectors.
C) Secondary production is no longer important.
D) The proportion of workers employed in primary, secondary, and tertiary production is about even.

Question 66

Which of the following would NOT be an example of primary production?

A) hunting
B) mining
C) teaching
D) farming

Question 67

__________ is the process through which government services are farmed out to private,capitalistic firms.

A) Transnationalism
B) Welfare capitalism
C) Globalization
D) Privatization

Question 68

__________ production involves the production of services.

A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Postindustrial

Question 69

The inclusion of socialism within many Western societies is due to:

A) idealism.
B) the need to ensure vital but unprofitable services.
C) a desire to negotiate more directly with Communist countries.
D) a strong belief in "from each according to their ability to each according to their needs."

Question 70

In Sweden,people pay very high taxes.The majority of Swedes:

A) resent this.
B) have immigrated to other countries to avoid paying such high taxes.
C) have voted to pay the high taxes and receive the benefits.
D) are communists.

Question 71

The primary criticism of privatization is:

A) it is not fair for the government to give business to some companies and not others.
B) the system is too efficient thereby reducing the number of jobs available.
C) that provision of some services should be based on what is best for society, not profitability.
D) not enough systems are being privatized.

Question 72

Many Western European countries combine democracy and socialism.What sociological term is this an example of?

A) political economy
B) nation-state
C) authoritarian state
D) government

Question 73

__________ production involves the processing of raw materials.

A) Primary
B) Secondary
C) Tertiary
D) Postindustrial

Question 74

Maintaining the system that they have in Sweden is proving to be more and more difficult because:

A) so many people are against the high taxes.
B) the benefits that are currently provided to the Swedish people are not really beneficial to most of the population.
C) it is becoming increasingly more difficult to control Sweden's transnational corporations and keep them from exporting the jobs.
D) the younger generation doesn't support the system.

Question 75

A ________ is a corporation that holds so large a market share for a given good or service that it could drive any company out of business then set any prices it wants.

A) multinational corporation
B) monopoly
C) corporate interlocking directorate
D) dynasty

Question 76

The values central to a capitalist system include:

A) technical innovation and attention to consumer demand.
B) equitable distribution.
C) societal resources for the benefit of the entire society.
D) greater concern for distribution than production.

Question 77

Socialism is defined as an economic structure in which:

A) there is job rotation.
B) there is equal income for all workers.
C) the means of production are owned by the group.
D) there is heavy industry, but few consumer goods.

Question 78

Which of the following statements is true?

A) The political power of large firms and the capitalist class has decreased in recent years.
B) Both corporate and individual tax rates have been declining over the last forty years.
C) The relationship between large firms is becoming far more competitive and far less cooperative.
D) As individual income tax rates have increased over the past forty years, corporate tax rates have decreased.

Question 79

Postindustrial society is characterized by the growth of:

A) secondary production.
B) a service industry
C) blue?collar jobs.
D) increasing inequality.

Question 80

Which of the following would distribution NOT include?

A) how many new homes a community needs to build
B) how profits from business should be divided between owners and workers
C) who should support those who cannot work
D) what factors income should be based on