Question 1

Power based on position within a formal organization is called coercive power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  False

Question 2

Jones and Keiser (1987) found that the less visible the issue, the greater the effects of PAC contributions on the voting behavior in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 3

Part of the world's "new geography of power" are:

Accepted Answer

A)   transnational corporations that are controlled by nation-states
B)   transnational legal institutions that regulate international economic relationships
C)   space limitations for economic transactions
D)   all of the above B

Question 4

Historically, the less economically advantaged have been the most politically organized and powerful in terms of influencing the political system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

After reviewing the evidence on voting, office holding, and candidate selection, which of the theories concerning the structure of power in the U.S. is the most viable? Defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of After reviewing the evidence on voting, office...

Question 6

In contrast to its power-elite counterpart, ruling-class theory often views the lower segments of society as more active and in conflict with those at the top.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Individuals and groups can participate in the political process by:

Accepted Answer

A)   voting
B)   holding political office
C)   lobby and monetary support
D)   all of the above

Question 8

The Enron scandal increased interest in more closely regulating the connection between those with economic power and those with political power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Political inequality focuses on inequality in political power at both the national level as well as in everyday relationships between individuals.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Domhoff (1998) argues that the power of the elite is based both class position and corporate attachment.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Mills's "higher immorality" refers to the idea that:

Accepted Answer

A)   individuals at the top are "power-hungry"
B)   corruption is rooted in the weak moral principles of individuals
C)   there is widespread sexual escapades among high-level governmental officials
D)   because of the way that society is structured, certain individuals can take advantage of others and their positions

Question 12

An example of "soft power" in terms of a nation's power and influence would be:

Accepted Answer

A)   economic power
B)   military might
C)   reputation of a nation's values, ideas, and cultural traditions
D)   all of the above

Question 13

Useem's study of inner-circle corporate leaders found that:

Accepted Answer

A)   as individuals, these leaders were equally powerful
B)   they tended to embrace a confrontational approach to politics
C)   the U.S. economy has moved from one based on institutional capitalism to one based on familyCapitalism.
D)   they are very concerned with serving the broad interests of capitalism, as opposed to the narrower interests of specific companies

Question 14

Since the 1960s, there has been:

Accepted Answer

A)   a decline in the number of single-issue interest groups
B)   a significant rise in the number and activity of interest groups
C)   less formal penetration of interest groups into governmental activity
D)   an increased dispersion of interest-group headquarters outside Washington, D.C.

Question 15

Data support the pluralist view of a balance of power between groups with different interests in that there is fairly broad representation of women, racial minorities, and lower-class individuals in national-level offices of political power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

From studying the U.S. institutional elite, Thomas Dye observes that although it is characterized by a general consensus on key
Values, a split between two factions is now evident. He labels these factions:

Accepted Answer

A)   "new rich" vs. "old rich"
B)   "bourgeoisie" vs. "proletariat"
C)   "capitalist conservatives" vs. "radic-libs"
D)   "sunbelt cowboys" vs. "established yankees"

Question 17

Evidence suggests that well-educated offspring:

Accepted Answer

A)   rarely develop civic skills
B)   tend to be politically informed
C)   are no better off politically than less-educated offspring
D)   none of the above

Question 18

Which of the following is a core idea of the pluralist view?

Accepted Answer

A)   Power is shared by a variety of groups and individuals.
B)   Groups are interdependent and have relatively broad interests.
C)   The average citizen has very little opportunity to become politically influential.
D)   All of the above.

Question 19

Research on Cabinet members reveals that:

Accepted Answer

A)   few have been lawyers
B)   few are from upper class backgrounds
C)   a variety of religious and ethnic groups have been well-represented
D)   almost all held top corporate positions before or after being Cabinet members

Question 20

Mills' power elite theory has been criticized for:

Accepted Answer

A)   being a conspiracy theory
B)   the methodology used by him to uncover power
C)   the selectivity of the data he uses to test his theory
D)   all of the above

Exam 4: Political Inequality

Power based on position within a formal organization is called coercive power.

Jones and Keiser (1987) found that the less visible the issue, the greater the effects of PAC contributions on the voting behavior in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Part of the world's "new geography of power" are:

Historically, the less economically advantaged have been the most politically organized and powerful in terms of influencing the political system.

After reviewing the evidence on voting, office holding, and candidate selection, which of the theories concerning the structure of power in the U.S. is the most viable? Defend your answer.

In contrast to its power-elite counterpart, ruling-class theory often views the lower segments of society as more active and in conflict with those at the top.

Individuals and groups can participate in the political process by:

The Enron scandal increased interest in more closely regulating the connection between those with economic power and those with political power.

Political inequality focuses on inequality in political power at both the national level as well as in everyday relationships between individuals.

Domhoff (1998) argues that the power of the elite is based both class position and corporate attachment.

Mills's "higher immorality" refers to the idea that:

An example of "soft power" in terms of a nation's power and influence would be:

Useem's study of inner-circle corporate leaders found that:

Since the 1960s, there has been:

Data support the pluralist view of a balance of power between groups with different interests in that there is fairly broad representation of women, racial minorities, and lower-class individuals in national-level offices of political power.

From studying the U.S. institutional elite, Thomas Dye observes that although it is characterized by a general consensus on key Values, a split between two factions is now evident. He labels these factions:

Evidence suggests that well-educated offspring:

Which of the following is a core idea of the pluralist view?

Research on Cabinet members reveals that:

Mills' power elite theory has been criticized for: