Deck 18: Politics and Social Movements

Question 1

Mohammad Reza Pahlavi was the Shah of Iran, his reign beginning in 1941. In the late 1970s, more than 10 percent of the people of Iran marched the streets in anti Shah demonstrations. As a result, the Shah left Iran for exile, and the Islamic Republic of Iran was established. What term best describes the actions of the Iranian citizens?

A) insurgency
B) revolution
C) coup d'etat
D) uprising

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The prime minister of Canada, the mayor of a city, members of parliament, and the president of the student body generally all have what type of authority?

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

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Andrea's assignment was to research Max Weber's three bases of authority and present her findings to the class. Which one of the following would Andrea NOT be researching and including in her presentation?

A) dictatorial
B) charismatic
C) traditional
D) rational-legal

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Dariya was arrested when she was found spray-painting protest messages on the walls of a new factory that was approved by the local government. Which branch of government will decide how to deal with Dariya's actions?

A) legislative
B) executive
C) judiciary
D) administrative

Question 5

What segment of society do the police and the military represent?

A) legislature
B) coercive apparatus
C) executive branch
D) judiciary

Question 6

What is the term for power that has been legitimized?

A) authority
B) oppression
C) politics
D) superordination

Question 7

Anneliese worked hard to protest the plans for a new shopping mall about to be built on parkland. She convinced a thousand people to demonstrate against the proposal and ultimately the mall was built in another location, not on parkland. What had Anneliese successfully created?

A) anarchy
B) authority
C) a social movement
D) a popular protest

Question 8

In 2005, Global Call to Action Against Poverty involved some 38 million people in actions to make world leaders live up to their promises to make a breakthrough on poverty. What term best identifies this organization?

A) social movement
B) collective action group
C) social justice movement
D) grassroots movement

Question 9

What is the term for collective attempts to change all or part of the social order?

A) social movements
B) social revolutions
C) civil disobedience
D) civil rights

Question 10

Thomas was pulled over by a police officer and after a breathalyzer was charged with impaired driving. Thomas appeared in court two weeks later. He was fined $600 and his license was suspended for a year. Outside the courtroom, Thomas was interviewed by a newspaper reporter for an article he was writing on the harsh impaired-driving laws. Which state institutions did Thomas personally encounter as a result of this incident?

A) media and judiciary
B) judiciary and executive
C) coercive apparatus and judiciary
D) media and the bureaucracy

Question 11

When or under what circumstances do charismatic leaders often emerge?

A) during elections
B) during revolutions
C) in feudal regimes
D) in postmodernity

Question 12

What is the collective term for the set of institutions that formulate and carry out a country's laws, policies, and binding regulations?

A) the state
B) the political process
C) the government
D) civil society

Question 13

What is "normal" politics?

A) a constant state of flux and dis-equilibrium
B) politics when authorities are firmly in power
C) politics practised outside the rules
D) a struggle for the acquisition of citizenship rights

Question 14

Marek wants to convince his fellow citizens to accept a plan for a proposed new shopping mall, even though it will destroy parkland. Which of the following tools will help Marek meet his goal?

A) political order
B) socialism
C) democracy
D) authority

Question 15

When discussing Weber's three bases of authority in class, Simone was asked to give an example of a person with charismatic authority. Which of the following would she offer?

A) Queen Elizabeth
B) Martin Luther King
C) Prime Minister Stephen Harper
D) Dr. Phil McGraw

Question 16

Which of the following is part of civil society?

A) judiciary
B) police
C) legislature
D) mass media

Question 17

Max Weber argued that authority could have one of three bases. Which of the following is an example of one of those bases?

A) spontaneous
B) legal-rational
C) coercive
D) political

Question 18

Sergei and his friends wanted to create a recycling program in a small rural community. They convinced many people of the potential benefits that could result from their ideas and gained their support for moving forward. If Sergei and his friends use this support to obtain the authority to complete the task, what will Sergei and his friends have created?

A) anarchy
B) a political party
C) a social movement
D) a popular protest

Question 19

In 2010, the media reported widely about a federal government cover-up concerning evidence that authorities knew Afghans detained by Canadian troops and transferred to Afghan authorities were being tortured. What term best describes the social role played by the media in this scenario?

A) media watchdog
B) moral entrepreneur
C) civil-society mechanism
D) news agency

Question 20

During a protest about the treatment of animals, Kamila was tasered and taken into custody. What kind of power is reflected in this incident?

A) authority
B) coercive power
C) political power
D) executive power

Question 21

Which of the following would reflect a structuralist Marxist's view of the interplay between society and capitalism?

A) The state is independent of all class rule and acts in its own interests.
B) The nature of capitalism itself causes the state to act in the interests of capitalists.
C) The state is an instrument in the hands of big business.
D) The state is structured in a way that promotes the interests of the working class.

Question 22

Which type of theorist would contend that democracy is guaranteed when no sole/single group of people is able to control politics?

A) nihilist
B) elitist
C) anarchist
D) pluralist

Question 23

What observation concerning political involvement is supported by numerous surveys?

A) It decreases in the lower social classes.
B) It decreases in the Western provinces.
C) It increases in the lower social classes.
D) It decreases in the Atlantic provinces.

Question 24

Which of the following is a belief of elite theorists?

A) Small groups occupy the command posts of society.
B) Power is widely distributed among small groups of people.
C) Everyone has a chance to become a member of the ruling class.
D) Only the educated elite should have the right to govern.

Question 25

A critic of Western culture says U.S. involvement in Iraq is nothing but a thinly disguised sham for American imperialism led by senior government officials, corporate contractors, and military leaders. Which of the following theoretical perspectives would endorse this analysis?

A) state-centred theory
B) power-balance theory
C) pluralist theory
D) elite theory

Question 26

According to pluralists, what type of society do we inhabit?

A) a society where no single interest dominates
B) a tolerant and peaceful multi-ethnic society
C) a society where labour interests set the political agenda
D) a society where business interests set the political agenda

Question 27

A commentator on the war in Iraq maintains that the elites of the United States in government, industry, and the military have acted in their own interests to wage a war that has made them rich. Whose interests was the commentator referring to?

A) union leaders
B) working class
C) freedom lovers
D) ruling class

Question 28

What part of society is civil society?

A) coercive state apparatuses
B) the state and its branches
C) the private sphere of life
D) competing social groups

Question 29

Paul and Mary were having a heated political discussion and Paul asserted "Sure, the United States is a democracy-but just remember that democracy means mob rule by the power elites." Who was Paul referring to?

A) bureaucrats, statisticians, and elected officials
B) socialists, pluralists, and democrats
C) CEOs, union leaders, and judges
D) corporate, political, and military leaders

Question 30

Which of the following does the Marxist critique of elite theory argue?

A) There are no real elites because of the heterogeneity of political groups.
B) The working classes are the true elites.
C) Voter participation among elites is very low in most democracies.
D) Elites form a ruling class dominated by big business.

Question 31

Toulin maintains the belief that Canada is a heterogeneous society comprising a number of centres of power and many competing interests. Which position has she adopted?

A) that of elite theorists
B) that of pluralist theorists
C) that of sociological theorists
D) that of Marxist theorists

Question 32

Martisha was asked by her friend to explain the perspective of instrumentalist Marxists as simply as possible. Which of the following would Martisha assert?

A) Elites are found in every society and are not a structural requirement of capitalism.
B) The state is a tool that big business uses to further its own capitalist agenda.
C) The military elite are necessary to ensure safety and security for all citizens.
D) The state enjoys autonomy vis-à-vis the capitalist classes and the elites.

Question 33

Salim has a television show on local cable that tells people about injustices in their neighbourhoods. What aspect of society would this media outlet for injustice be part of?

A) civil society
B) the informative branch
C) anarchy
D) free speech

Question 34

There was a vote in parliament on a proposed new tax on corporations. The local Member of Parliament voted against the tax, because she believed defeating the tax would be best for the capitalist system. Which kind of analysis of the situation would the MP's reasoning represent?

A) instrumentalist
B) structuralist
C) pluralist
D) elitist

Question 35

A respected economist claims that the U.S. financial bailout of 2008 was endorsed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, a former CEO of Goldman Sachs, and that he acted only in the interests of big business. Which theoretical perspective would support this assessment?

A) Marxist structuralists
B) elite theorists
C) Marxist instrumentalists
D) state-centred theorists

Question 36

On any given day, the media is filled with stories about multiple competing interests; for example: gay rights activists versus dominant heterosexual views, pro-choice versus anti-abortion advocates, and feminists against male chauvinists. Which of the following perspectives supports this view of power in society?

A) elitist theory
B) pluralist theory
C) power-balance theory
D) state-centred theory

Question 37

Small business owners were very happy after the election in 2010 because the winning party had promised to look after their interests, but union workers feared that their interests would not take priority. However, in the following election, the party in power switched and business owners were not so happy. Which theory used in studies of the state does this illustrate?

A) pluralist theory
B) liberal theory
C) Marxist theory
D) elitist theory

Question 38

Ming wrote a letter to her Member of Parliament complaining about the lack of services for street youth in the city. What social group does Ming most likely belong to?

A) lower class
B) upper class
C) students
D) not-for-profit professionals

Question 39

Which approach in sociology would claim that we live in a heterogeneous society with many competing interests and centres of power?

A) economist approach
B) liberal approach
C) elitist approach
D) pluralist approach

Question 40

What have studies by Clement, Olsen, and Brym shown about Canada's elites?

A) The military is controlled by the economic elite.
B) Most of the elite are from upper- and upper-middle-class families.
C) The judiciary comes almost exclusively from the upper class.
D) The economic elite is in charge of the judiciary.

Question 41

Homeless people are a constituency largely without a voice. However, until an organization such as Canada Without Poverty can coherently organize this constituency to become an effective source for change, the poor will remain poor. Which theoretical perspective would endorse this statement?

A) resource-mobilization theory
B) power-balance theory
C) relative-deprivation theory
D) state-centred theory

Question 42

According to the frame alignment typology, what happens to individual interests, beliefs, and values in social movements?

A) They either complement the movement or they fail to do so.
B) They correspond to the interests of the movement leaders.
C) They contribute to increased membership in social movements.
D) They do not correspond to the interests of the movement leaders.

Question 43

In a class discussion Wayne asserted that considering Canada to be a democratic society was a joke. When asked to explain, Wayne retorted that in a truly democratic system you would not see the huge economic inequality that currently exists in Canada, with the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer, and the majority of government policies aimed at benefiting the corporations. What theoretical perspective has Wayne adopted?

A) pluralist
B) Weberian
C) relative-deprivationist
D) Marxist

Question 44

Which of the following theorists would say that the distribution of power in society changes significantly and frequently?

A) elite theorists
B) pluralist theorists
C) power-balance theorists
D) state-centred theorists

Question 45

A group of workers were laid off by their company shortly before the end of 2008, with some wages still owing to them. They held a sit-in at the closed plant until they got what they were entitled to. Which perspective would use this as an example to support its theory?

A) relative-deprivation theory
B) state-centred theory
C) power-balance theory
D) pluralist theory

Question 46

Which theory holds that social movements can emerge only when disadvantaged people can marshal the means necessary to challenge authority?

A) pluralist theory
B) resource mobilization theory
C) power balance theory
D) power elite theory

Question 47

Which of the following groups benefits when the working class is more powerful?

A) visible minorities
B) men
C) women
D) Aboriginal people

Question 48

In 2011, the New Democratic Party formed the official opposition in Parliament for the first time in Canadian history. This event is evidence that can be used to support one of the following theories-which one?

A) elitist theory
B) state-centred theory
C) Marxist theory
D) power-balance theory

Question 49

At its inception, the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF) consisted of an alliance between two groups. What were they?

A) tertiary sector and unionized industrial workers
B) farmers and workers
C) organized farmers and nonunionized workers
D) workers and union leaders

Question 50

Which of the following theories would support the thesis that people are most likely to rebel when rising expectations are met by an abrupt decline in social rewards?

A) anarchist theory
B) relative solidarity theory
C) relative deprivation theory
D) strain theory

Question 51

The local Member of Parliament voted against a proposed new tax on corporations because she believed that such a tax might cause some companies to move their operations out of the country, and the government could be held responsible for lost jobs. Which analysis of the situation would the MP's reasoning represent?

A) instrumentalist
B) structuralist
C) pluralist
D) elitist

Question 52

Which of the following is a statement that power-balance theorists would support?

A) There is a balance of power between workers and capitalists in Western societies.
B) The distribution of power in society is natural and balanced.
C) The distribution of power in society does change, sometimes massively.
D) Power is likely to be greatly concentrated in the hands of the judiciary.

Question 53

Bonito was furious because he could not get a job after immigrating to Canada despite his education and experience obtained in his country of origin. He launched a group protest by new immigrants who were having similar problems finding good jobs that they felt they deserved. It was not hard to find others to join his cause because they all were experiencing the same phenomenon. What was it?

A) relative deprivation
B) mobilization challenges
C) elite control
D) labour inequality

Question 54

In 2008, the Conservative federal government released a "green plan" calling for a 20 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This was done to stem criticism by the Liberal opposition about government inaction on the environment. Which theoretical perspective has an analysis of governing action that fits this example?

A) state-centred theory
B) resource mobilization theory
C) relative-deprivation theory
D) power-balance theory

Question 55

Sasha had never thought of herself as an activist until she had a tour of the public school located in an upscale neighbourhood of her city. After seeing the state-of-the-art computer lab, she became outraged that the school her daughter attended did not even have computers in the classrooms. Consequently, she organized a parents' group to petition the school board for funding in order to construct a computer lab in their neighbourhood public school. Which concept could be utilized in order to understand Sasha's actions?

A) resource mobilization
B) political citizenship
C) civil citizenship
D) relative deprivation

Question 56

After the flood, 300 people who had been displaced from their homes realized that only poor neighbourhoods had been flooded, and that the rich neighbourhoods had been protected from the water. The next day, the 300 displaced people marched on government offices, demanding an explanation. Which of the following theories is supported by this event?

A) resource mobilization theory
B) relative deprivation theory
C) power-balance theory
D) Marxist theory

Question 57

The provincial teachers' contract was expiring in two months time and at union meetings it was proposed that all members be ready to strike if the government did not agree with their new contract demands. A number of teachers argued that this was not the time for excessive demands, given the likelihood of their demands being rejected. Which of the following would explain this assertion?

A) Numerous media articles bashing the education process and the teaching profession.
B) Economic indicators reporting another decline in economic growth.
C) Job creation rates exceeding those of the previous year.
D) School boards reporting an increase in student enrolments.

Question 58

Petar was discussing the American "Declare Yourself" television commercials and campaign with a few of his friends. He explained that the goal was to encourage the participation of people in the electoral process. When asked why this was necessary, what would he respond?

A) The United States requires that you declare who you will be voting for prior to the election so that predictions can be made regarding election outcomes.
B) The United States has a compulsory voting system.
C) The United States has a smaller pool of eligible voters than other democracies due to its law that requires citizens to register themselves before an election.
D) The United States wants to maintain its distinction of having the highest voter turnout in Western countries.

Question 59

Apathy Is Boring is a nonprofit organization that promotes civic responsibility, including exercising the right to vote. According to Apathy Is Boring, democracy can't work for people unless the people understand it and get out and vote. Which theorists would endorse this organization?

A) power-balance theorists
B) state-centred theorists
C) resource mobilization theorists
D) elite theorists

Question 60

According to the text, what happens in a society where power is widely distributed?

A) There is more conflict in society.
B) The lower classes are better off.
C) There is more democracy.
D) Lobbyists are more powerful.

Question 61

Social movements often used their power to expand the rights of citizens and this expansion of rights has occurred in stages. Which of the following was the first stage of this process?

A) The movement focused on social citizenship.
B) The movement to acquire political citizenship rights.
C) The movement promoting universal citizenship.
D) The movement aimed at civil citizenship rights.

Question 62

Which of the following terms refers to a citizen's right to a certain level of economic security and social participation?

A) civil citizenship
B) economic citizenship
C) political citizenship
D) social citizenship

Question 63

The mission of Canada Without Poverty (CWP) is to eradicate poverty by promoting income security and social security for all Canadians; however, unless this organization can mobilize resources through media awareness and recruiting activists among the poor, nothing will happen. What term best identifies what CWP has to do to be successful?

A) mobilize resources
B) frame alignment
C) get media coverage
D) sow seeds of discontent

Question 64

Which of the following groups of individuals would be LEAST likely to participate in a new social movement?

A) educators from secondary and postsecondary institutions
B) the CEOs of major corporations
C) members of the actors and writers guild
D) executive directors of the Children's Aid Society

Question 65

How does the text define authority?

A) as coercive power
B) as tacit power
C) as legitimate power
D) as cooperative power

Question 66

Tessa joined a group of women advocating for pay equity legislation and working toward the elimination of workplace gender discrimination. What type of group did Tessa join?

A) socialist feminist
B) radical feminist
C) conservative feminist
D) liberal feminist

Question 67

What is the new, or fourth, stage of social movements working toward?

A) more political participation
B) increased social consciousness
C) promoting universal citizenship
D) effective civil society

Question 68

At a rally in Smalltown, Canada, Ryan spoke at great length about the unjust treatment of the employees at the ABC factory, such as 8-hour shifts with no breaks, the mandatory 12-to-14 hour workdays, and the negative impacts on family life. Although Taliba did not work at the factory, he was raising issues of direct concern to her, since both her dad and brother worked there. Why would Taliba join this protest?

A) as a preventive measure
B) because of Ryan's impassioned plea
C) as a result of the Marxist arguments
D) because of frame alignment

Question 69

How can the current rise of Islamic fundamentalism in Muslim countries be explained?

A) by sociobiological theories
B) by the rise of anti-imperialist sentiments
C) by the inequitable distribution of the world's wealth
D) by the increasing intellectual influence of the ideas of European enlightenment

Question 70

At a rally in his small African village, Arapmoi passionately argues that all villagers should have the right to freely express themselves, the right to choose what religion they would like to practise, and justice before the law. What is Arapmoi promoting?

A) cultural engagement
B) political participation
C) social citizenship
D) civil citizenship

Question 71

Dasha joined the Gay Pride March in Ottawa. She marched not because she is gay, but because she believes that everyone has rights that must be acknowledged and respected. Which of the following concepts is she supporting?

A) civil citizenship
B) political citizenship
C) universal citizenship
D) social citizenship

Question 72

George and several of his close friends work for Environment Canada as biologists, or teach environmental technology courses at universities and colleges. They have formed an action committee with the purpose of saving the northern tundra from diamond mining companies. What kind of social activists are they?

A) social citizenship activists
B) power balance theorists
C) revolutionary environmentalists
D) new social movement activists

Question 73

A young Canadian activist attends a summit meeting of the world's top economic powers in Quebec City. He is protesting peacefully when the police pepper spray the crowd and arrest him; he then complains that his rights are being violated. What rights is he invoking in his complaint?

A) his rights afforded in civil citizenship
B) his rights to self-determination
C) his rights to be informed of his crime
D) his rights to call on legal representation

Question 74

How have social movements in "the other 85 percent" of the world developed differently from those in industrialized countries?

A) They have accelerated the development of civil society infrastructure.
B) They had established democracies long before Europe and North America.
C) They have been slow to develop social movements because everyone is poor.
D) They focused more on elemental human rights and freedom from colonial rule.

Question 75

Which of the following is concerned with the struggle for the acquisition of constantly broadening citizenship rights?

A) democracy
B) social movements
C) civil society
D) socialism

Question 76

Which of the following conclusions was drawn by Clement and Olsen, students of John Porter who were continuing his work?

A) They concluded that Canada is moving toward social egalitarianism.
B) They concluded that Canada is a pluralist society.
C) They concluded that the interests of large corporations dominate politics.
D) They concluded that there are conflicts among Canada's elites.

Question 77

What is the term for the process of aligning individual interests, beliefs, and values with the activities, goals, and ideologies of a social movement?

A) contagion alignment
B) conformity alignment
C) frame alignment
D) groupthink alignment

Question 78

Which of the following groups of people is LEAST likely to be attracted to the new social movements?

A) business people
B) journalists
C) students
D) teachers

Question 79

In a class presentation on "Violence against Women," Geena argued that intimate partner violence is the result of a societal patriarchal ideology and the accompanying male domination within a family. Which feminist stance provides the basis for Geena's position?

A) radical feminism
B) liberal feminism
C) socialist feminism
D) postmodern feminism

Question 80

In what year did Canadian women win the right to vote in federal elections?

A) 1912
B) 1918
C) 1925
D) 1940