Deck 7: Power and Politics

Question 1

Why is the image of the "invisible hand" in Adam Smith's analysis of capitalism said to be misleading?

A)For markets to function properly,rules must be enforced by the state when violated.
B)For markets to function properly,entrepreneurs must be admitted by lottery drawing.
C)For markets to function properly,competition must be enforced by supply and demand,not rules.
D)For markets to function properly there must be few if any rules.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which of these statements represents the powerlessness of B in relation to A,according to the three-dimensional view of power?

A)B comes to believe in A's ideas even when it is not in B's interest to do so.
B)B fails to get its challenge to A taken seriously.
C)B is so frustrated by lack of power that B fails to issue a challenge to A.
D)B comes to believe that it is not in B's interest to win open conflicts.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Old Age Security was instituted to offset the negative effects of the economy and __________.

A)for women who had lost husbands and sons during the war
B)to support farmers who had been through many droughts
C)to ensure those without a union job had support after retirement
D)for people who had lived below the poverty line

Answer 3

A

Question 4

In the __________ dimensional view of power,we see power at work when power holders prevent subordinates from raising issues that challenge the power holders' power.

A)one-
B)two-
C)three-
D)four-

Question 5

The complete array of formal political institutions of any society is known as __________.

A)the levels of government
B)a bureaucracy
C)critical mass
D)the state

Question 6

Student loan programs were adopted under the administration of __________.

A)Lester B.Pearson
B)Pierre Elliot Trudeau
C)Brian Mulroney
D)Jean Chretien

Question 7

The one-dimensional view of power focuses __________.

A)only on the outcomes of a conflict
B)on the concept of agenda setting
C)on the persuasion of a weaker actor
D)only on the availability of power

Question 8

Which of these statements represents the powerlessness of B in relation to A,according to the two-dimensional view of power?

A)B comes to believe in A's ideas even when it is not in B's interest to do so.
B)B fails to get its challenge to A taken seriously.
C)B has few resources to win open conflicts.
D)B comes to believe that it is not in B's interest to win open conflicts.

Question 9

How do sociologists view the use of force in sustaining power?

A)The use of force is effective only over long periods of time.
B)The use of force is rarely sustainable.
C)The use of force is necessary to "win the game."
D)The use of force is a necessary consequence of uncertainty.

Question 10

Political leaders engage in __________ by focusing on topics,such as health care,that they believe are most important while avoiding topics marginal groups find important.

A)civil inattention
B)agenda setting
C)class preferences
D)framing

Question 11

In 2007,the top 1 percent of U.S.households received __________ percent of all income.

A)12
B)24
C)36
D)48

Question 12

When your boss comes into the office,you try to look as busy as possible.Which dimensional view of power is operating in this scenario?

A)the one-dimensional view of power
B)the two-dimensional view of power
C)the three-dimensional view of power
D)the four-dimensional view of power

Question 13

Big business needs security to make the kinds of investments that create jobs and produce economic growth,according to __________.

A)the New Deal
B)the business confidence theory
C)tax and transfer policies
D)pluralism

Question 14

Tax and transfer policies govern the __________.

A)distribution of income and wealth
B)bargaining power of unions
C)public service contracts of the government
D)regulatory,but not the legal,environment

Question 15

Exercising power by breaking the rules of the game __________.

A)doesn't work long term,since threats and bribes,for example,can fail
B)always works if powerful groups have enough resources
C)almost never works,since following the rules of the game is essential
D)only works if the power elite is in control of the game

Question 16

Sociologists define status as __________.

A)the prestige accorded to individuals and to important social or economic roles
B)the views of individuals who have important social or economic roles
C)a classification system that dominates the upper levels of society
D)the right to lay claim to special rewards

Question 17

Old Age Security,student loan programs,universal healthcare,and the Canada Pension Plan are examples that suggest that _________.

A) advocacy from grassroots organizations are not effective
B)the powerful always win
C)the powerful don't always win
D)powerful people also see these programs as beneficial

Question 18

In the __________ dimensional view of power,we see power at work when one party prevails in a conflict.

A)one-
B)two-
C)three-
D)four-

Question 19

Social Security,health and unemployment insurance,and welfare for poor families comprise the __________.

A)bureaucratic state
B)pluralistic state
C)welfare state
D)disciplinary state

Question 20

Which of the following statements is indicative of the three-dimensional view of power?

A)Conflict is not necessary for power to exist.
B)Coercion is necessary to maintain the status quo.
C)Conflict is necessary for power to exist.
D)Power manifests itself as behaviour.

Question 21

A record number of layoffs at Andrew's place of employment has everyone on pins and needles.The employees want to make sure their bosses are pleased with their performances,so many of them have agreed to work overtime on weekends.Which dimension of power is operating in this scenario?

A)one-dimensional
B)two-dimensional
C)three-dimensional
D)four-dimensional

Question 22

Canadians say they wants to reduce poverty.However,what have they done that contradicts this statement?

A)They have given little money to charities that work to reduce poverty.
B)Abuse toward homeless people has increased in recent years.
C)They have elected governments whose policies benefit only the wealthy few.
D)They have not advocated with government to implement poverty reduction policies.

Question 23

Billionaire __________ famously highlighted the extent of tax loopholes for the wealthiest Americans when he reported paying less in federal taxes on his income,in terms of percentage,than his secretary.

A)Bill Gates
B)Warren Buffett
C)Ted Turner
D)Mitt Romney

Question 24

__________ is the system of elections in which seats in a legislature are divided up based on the percentage of the vote received.

A)Direct representation
B)Proportional representation
C)Electoral representation
D)Partial representation

Question 25

Emily's List is an organization that works to __________.

A)transport low-income voters to the polls
B)eliminate felon disenfranchisement
C)elect prochoice Democratic women
D)overturn Roe v.Wade

Question 26

__________ provide(s)an obvious and plausible explanation as to why income and wealth in the United States have become so concentrated at the top.

A)Illegal accounting
B)Changes in the tax system
C)Increase in capital gains tax rate
D)Entrepreneurial risk taking

Question 27

During the 2012 presidential election campaign,Mitt Romney revealed that he paid less than __________ percent of his income in federal taxes.

A)15
B)22
C)27
D)32

Question 28

Which president attempted to close some of the loopholes that GE was using to avoid corporate income taxes?

A)Jimmy Carter
B)Bill Clinton
C)George H.W.Bush
D)Ronald Reagan

Question 29

In 2007,the top 10 percent of U.S.households received approximately __________ of all income.

A)10
B)25
C)50
D)70

Question 30

A political action committee,or PAC,is a term used in U.S.politics to describe an organization set up to __________.

A)collect political donations
B)eliminate voter fraud
C)nominate candidates for elective office
D)supervise local boards of election

Question 31

Loopholes in the progressive tax system mean the_______.

A)rich pay far less in taxes than the official tax rate suggests
B)middle-class is able to direct their taxes to specific programs
C)lower-class do not have to pay taxes
D)government accounts for the discrepancy in the wage gap

Question 32

Eloise is a network executive at XYZ News Media.She has been instructed to prevent XYZ journalists from covering a breaking scandal involving XYZ's chief financial officer.She has the staff prepare filler stories instead.XYZ,with Eloise's complicity,is engaging in __________.

A)civil inattention
B)agenda setting
C)class preferences
D)framing

Question 33

Phyllis,a teacher,constantly disagrees with the way her department chair runs the math department.The two of them have had heated arguments about her schedule and her classroom assignments.In the end,the chair determines the schedule and assigns classrooms.This scenario illustrates which dimensional view of power?

A)one-dimensional
B)two-dimensional
C)three-dimensional
D)four-dimensional

Question 34

In cross-country comparisons,the country that does the least to reduce poverty is __________.

A)the United States
B)the United Kingdom
C)Canada
D)Australia

Question 35

Which of the following changes in the U.S.tax code has been enacted in recent decades,disproportionately benefiting the wealthy?

A)elimination of the capital gains tax
B)reduction in the capital gains tax rate
C)equalization of the capital gains tax rate and the income tax rate
D)elimination of off-shore tax shelters

Question 36

Since the end of World War II,the trend in the corporate tax rate has been __________ relative to shifts in the entire economy.

A)downward
B)upward
C)flat
D)erratic

Question 37

According to research conducted by the Broadbent Institute,Canadians think the wealthiest fifth-or top 20%-of Canadians hold more than half of the wealth in the country (55.5%)and that the poorest fifth-or bottom 20%-hold less than 6%.What are the actual statistics?

A)The wealthiest hold 67% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.
B)The wealthiest hold less than half of the wealth (45%),while the poorest fifth of Canadians own 10%.
C)The wealthiest hold more than 75% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.
D)The wealthiest hold more than 80% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.

Question 38

Which company has so successfully used the tax system to avoid paying taxes that it paid no corporate income tax in 2010 on reported profits of $14 billion?

A)Apple
B)Berkshire Hathaway
C)General Electric (GE)
D)Verizon

Question 39

Poverty,crime,drug abuse,and racism are examples of __________.

A)the welfare state
B)social problems
C)deviance
D)public policies

Question 40

Major corporations that earn tax credits can use them __________.

A)to lavish pay and other perks on their top managers
B)as gifts for deserving public institutions
C)as cash reimbursements to employees
D)as cash advances on CEO salaries

Question 41

Which of the following statements best describes a weakness of the one-dimensional view of power when using the two-dimensional view of power?

A)The one-dimensional view does not acknowledge that the powerless may not be able to set the agenda.
B)The one-dimensional view focuses too strongly on agenda setting.
C)The one-dimensional view ignores silent power.
D)The two-dimensional view of power ignores the ability of celebrities to set the agenda.

Question 42

Calgary,Alberta has been described as a pro-business city,since the interests of big businesses are protected.This illustrates the __________ .
a.New Deal
b.business confidence theory
c.tax and transfer policies
d.pluralism

Question 43

Which of the following statements explains why it is better to be a rich person in the United States than in any other part of the world?

A)The revised tax system has allowed wealthy people to retain most of their income.
B)The progressive income tax system provides better services for the wealthy.
C)Because Americans pay significantly more taxes than people in other countries,the wealthy benefit from tax cuts.
D)The wealthy pay significantly more in taxes in the United States but they also receive a greater number of government services.

Question 44

Canadians say they wants to reduce poverty.However,what have they done that contradicts this statement?

A)They have given little money to charities that work to reduce poverty.
B)Abuse toward homeless people has increased in recent years.
C)They have elected governments whose policies benefit only the wealthy few.
D)They have not advocated with government to implement poverty reduction policies.

Question 45

Social scientists have observed that the state promotes the interests of the powerful.Explain why the state supports the goals of powerful businesses.

Question 46

Discuss some of the ways in which the state regulates the economy and businesses.What is the purpose of these regulating policies?

Question 47

Charles Wilson of General Motors once stated,"What is good for General Motors is good for America." Explain what he meant by this statement by using the three-dimensional view of power.

Question 48

Old Age Security,student loan programs,universal healthcare and the Canada Pension Plan are examples that suggest that _________.

A) advocacy from grassroots organizations are not effective
B)the powerful always wins
C)the powerful doesn't always win
D)powerful people also see these programs as beneficial

Question 49

Which of the following statements best explains why it is difficult to bring about change in federal politics?

A)Change in federal politics is difficult because of the power of federal bureaucracies.
B)Change in federal politics is difficult because the main components of the state must remain in equal amounts of power.
C)Change in federal politics is difficult because employees in the federal bureaucracies are constantly shifting with administrations.
D)Change in federal politics is difficult because we have proportional representation.

Question 50

How does agenda setting meet the needs of the powerful?

A)Agenda setting averts the challenges that may threaten the interests of the rich and powerful.
B)Grievances from marginal groups can enhance the power of the elite and support the elite's agenda.
C)Power by the elite is unable to overcome the agendas set by the marginalized.
D)Agenda setting supports the needs of minority groups.

Question 51

Calgary,Alberta has been described as a pro-business city,since the interests of big businesses are protected.This illustrates the __________ .

A)New Deal
B)business confidence theory
C)tax and transfer policies
D)pluralism

Question 52

Explain the role of the state in the distribution of power to the poor and disadvantaged.

Question 53

A wealthy executive wants to shelter her income from taxes.Which action should she take?

A)purchase real estate
B)misrepresent her income on her tax return
C)divert assets to the Cayman Islands
D)adhere to the progressive income tax system

Question 54

In the 1970s,residents who lived in a neighbourhood called Love Canal in New York discovered that their homes had been built on a dump for toxic wastes.There were high rates of birth defects,miscarriages,and other health complications in Love Canal.After an investigation was conducted,residents were compensated for their pain and suffering.This scenario represents the importance of __________.

A)bureaucracy
B)pluralism
C)regulatory policies
D)critical mass

Question 55

Student Loan programs were adopted under the administration of __________.

A)Lester B.Pearson
B)Pierre Elliot Trudeau
C)Brian Mulroney
D)Jean Chretien

Question 56

Why is it difficult for third-party candidates to gain traction in the United States when third-party candidates can earn seats in other countries such as Canada?

A)The U.S.system gives the candidate with the most votes the seat outright.
AU: Since Hillary Clinton won the popular vote,and based on the Electoral College system,is this answer actually true?
B)The U.S.uses proportional representation that eliminates third-party candidates.
C)U.S.citizens do not financially support third-party candidates.
D)Political action committees resist the financial support of the third-party candidates.

Question 57

Identify a limitation of the premise made by Adam Smith in The Wealth of Nations.

A)Smith's analysis did not give enough power to the state's role in capitalism.
B)Smith's analysis gave too much power to the state in the production of capitalism.
C)Smith described capitalism as an economy run by the masses,who do not have real power.
D)Smith described capitalism as a system of equality for all people.

Question 58

According to research conducted by the Broadbent Institute,Canadians think the wealthiest fifth-or top 20%-of Canadians hold more than half of the wealth in the country (55.5%)and that the poorest fifth-or bottom 20%-hold less than 6%.What are the actual statistics?

A)The wealthiest hold 67% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.
B)The wealthiest hold less than half of the wealth (45%),while the poorest fifth of Canadians own 10%.
C)The wealthiest hold more than 75% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.
D)The wealthiest hold more than 80% of the wealth,while the poorest fifth of Canadians own no share at all.

Question 59

David Jones is a Green Party candidate for city council,which elects one candidate from each of five city districts.He garnered 25 percent of the vote in his district,but took no seat on the city's governing council.Why,do you theorize,this is so?

A)City council seats are subject to proportional representation.
B)City council seats are not subject to proportional representation.
C)The Green Party raised insufficient funds for the campaign.
D)Jones lacked sufficient citywide exposure.

Question 60

Old Age Security was instituted to offset the negative effects of the economy and __________.

A)for women who had lost husbands and sons during the war
B)to support farmers who had been through many droughts
C)to ensure those without a union job had support after retirement
D)for people who had lived below the poverty line

Question 61

Why are antipoverty programs necessary? How effective are North American antipoverty programs when compared with those of other countries?