Question 1

Given Saudi Arabia has great wealth from its vast oil reserves, it can literally give its citizens financial rewards each month. Saudi Arabia is, therefore, known as what?

Accepted Answer

A)  A welfare state
B)  An entitled state
C)  A rentier state
D)  A capitalist state
E)  A socialist state C

Question 2

What is the dominant force in Chinese political life today?

Accepted Answer

A)  Capitalism
B)  The Chinese Communist Party
C)  Kim Jung-il
D)  Mao Zedong
E)  The National Party Congress B

Question 3

Discuss the theory of Plato and its relation to authoritarianism. In what respects does his theory make an argument for authoritarianism? How would you answer the claim from Thrasymachus, one of the characters in the Republic , that "justice is only in the interest of the stronger party"?

Accepted Answer

Plato's theory, as outlined in his work "The Republic," is centered around the idea of an ideal state governed by philosopher-kings. According to Plato, the ideal state is one in which individuals are assigned to different social classes based on their natural abilities and are ruled by a philosopher-king who possesses wisdom and knowledge. This philosopher-king is believed to have a deep understanding of the forms, or ideal concepts, and is therefore best suited to make decisions for the benefit of the entire society.

In this respect, Plato's theory can be seen as making an argument for authoritarianism. The philosopher-king holds absolute power and is not subject to the will of the people, as their decisions are based on their superior knowledge and understanding of the forms. This form of government is inherently authoritarian, as it places power in the hands of a single ruler who is not accountable to the people.

However, it is important to note that Plato's theory also emphasizes the importance of justice and the common good. The philosopher-king is expected to rule with the best interests of the society in mind, rather than for their own personal gain. This suggests that Plato's theory is not necessarily advocating for a tyrannical form of authoritarianism, but rather a benevolent and enlightened form of rule.

In response to the claim from Thrasymachus that "justice is only in the interest of the stronger party," Plato would likely argue that true justice is not simply a matter of power and self-interest. Instead, he would argue that justice is rooted in the pursuit of the common good and the harmonious functioning of society. The philosopher-king, as the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge, is best equipped to understand and uphold this true form of justice, rather than simply acting in the interest of the strongest party.

Overall, while Plato's theory does have authoritarian elements, it also emphasizes the importance of justice and the common good. It is not a simple argument for raw power and self-interest, but rather a complex vision of a society governed by wisdom and virtue.

Question 4

Which of the following states does NOT share a land border with Saudi Arabia?

Accepted Answer

A)  Egypt
B)  Iraq
C)  Jordan
D)  Kuwait
E)  Yemen

Question 5

Machiavelli's The Prince insisted that which two concepts should be considered synonymous?

Accepted Answer

A)  Justice and a anger
B)  Revenge and a law
C)  Revenge and a justice
D)  Virtue and a effectiveness
E)  Morality and a commitment to the pursuit of truth

Question 6

Compare the similarities between Thomas Hobbes and Niccolò Machiavelli in the realm of ideas about power and human nature.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare the similarities between Thomas Hobbes and...

Question 7

Islam's holy book is known as what?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Bible
B)  The Veda
C)  The Medina
D)  The Koran
E)  The Literati

Question 8

Which character said "Justice is only in the interest of the stronger party"?

Accepted Answer

A)  Polybius in Aristotle's Politics
B)  Cephalus in Plato's Republic
C)  Thrasymachus in Plato's Republic
D)  Polemarchus in Plato's Republic
E)  Aristotle in Aristotle's Ethics

Question 9

Which of the following is designed to provide the king of Saudi Arabia with an understanding of issues at the local and provincial levels?

Accepted Answer

A)  The Consultative Council
B)  The Council of Ministers
C)  The Shura Council
D)  Sharia law
E)  The national legislature

Question 10

What name has NOT been used to refer to autocratic rulers?

Accepted Answer

A)  Caliph
B)  King
C)  President
D)  Queen
E)  Councilor

Question 11

Compare two of the three countries that are used as examples of authoritarianism: Saudi Arabia, North Korea, and China. What is similar about the modern authoritarianism exercised by these nations? In what respects do their rulers use different mechanisms to maintain their political power? For what reason(s)do the people of these countries continue to allow these regimes to exist?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare two of the three countries that...

Question 12

The Consultative Council of Saudi Arabia was designed for what purpose?

Accepted Answer

A)  To make Saudi Arabia a democracy
B)  To give the Saudi regime a prime minister
C)  To give the Saudi people a place to raise their local interests
D)  To give the king a greater chance at expanding trade with neighboring states
E)  To reduce the ruling family's level of power

Question 13

In China, what is the leading cause of death and its likely source?

Accepted Answer

A)  Cancer is the leading cause of death, and pollution is the likely source.
B)  AIDS is the leading cause of death, and inadequate sex education is the likely source.
C)  Starvation is the leading cause of death, and lack of food supplies is the likely source.
D)  Murder at the hands of the state is the leading cause of death, and a repressive political environment is the likely source.
E)  Avian flu is the leading cause of death, and a lack of vaccines is the likely source.

Question 14

What role does religion play in the political life of Saudi Arabia? How does the monarchy use Islam's holy book, the Koran, to enforce its agenda?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What role does religion play in the...

Question 15

When one person is in charge of an entire government, it is commonly referred to as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  An autocracy
B)  A democracy
C)  An oligarchy
D)  An aristocracy
E)  A polity

Question 16

What is the name of a system designed to keep power in the hands of the male population?

Accepted Answer

A)  Paternity
B)  Maternity
C)  Matriarchy
D)  Patriarchy
E)  Maternalism

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT an authoritarian state?

Accepted Answer

A)  Saudi Arabia
B)  India
C)  China
D)  Iran
E)  North Korea

Question 18

Which document suggested that the gods called on him to lead the people?

Accepted Answer

A)  Moses' Code
B)  Jesus' Code
C)  Al-Farabi's Code
D)  Hammurabi's Code
E)  Habbitarian's Code

Question 19

Which author wrote, Leviathan : Or the Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiasticall and Civil , in which he argued that man's natural level of selfishness and greed perpetuated authoritarian rule?

Accepted Answer

A)  Machiavelli
B)  Hobbes
C)  Rousseau
D)  Plato
E)  Al-Farabi

Question 20

Who founded the People's Republic of China on October 1, 1949?

Accepted Answer

A)  Mao Zedong
B)  Deng Xiaoping
C)  Chiang-kai Shek
D)  Deng Yaobang
E)  Xi Jinping

Exam 9: Comparing Executives