test 1 study guide

Chapters 1, 2, 3, 5, 12, 13, & 14

• 30 of the 50 questions below will appear on the test.

1. The Milgram Study is important because it demonstrates that
   a. Obedience to authority figures is primarily influenced by biological factors.
   b. Groupthink has no impact on people's willingness to obey authority.
   c. People often avoid taking responsibility by rationalizing their actions as simply following orders from an authority figure.
   d. All of the above

2. Which of the following characteristics best describes the irrational aspect of political power?
   a. Political power is driven solely by logic and reason, with little influence from emotions.
   b. Political power is often manipulated through myths, stereotypes, and symbols by charismatic leaders to control people.
   c. Leaders like Mussolini, Hitler, and Bin Laden avoided using emotional manipulation to maintain control.
   d. None of the above

3. Which of the following statements best describes the approach political scientists take in their research?
   a. Political scientists only rely on qualitative data and avoid quantifying information.
   b. Political scientists strive to conduct research similar to the natural sciences, but political phenomena are difficult to fully quantify and control.
   c. Political scientists focus solely on conducting experiments in controlled environments, similar to laboratory research.
   d. Political scientists avoid the use of empirical data and prefer theoretical speculation.

4. According to Thomas Hobbes, what is the primary reason people agree to form a civil society and submit to a ruler?
   a. People naturally seek to create a perfect society without any conflict.
   b. Out of fear and self-interest, individuals rationally agree to a social contract to avoid the chaos of the "state of nature."
   c. People submit to a ruler only when they believe they will be rewarded with riches and power.
   d. People prefer to live in a "state of nature" rather than join a civil society.

5. According to John Locke, why do people agree to form a civil society?
   a. To escape from a state of constant war and violence.
   b. To give up all personal freedoms in exchange for security and safety.
   c. To secure their property, as there are no formal systems to protect ownership in the state of nature.
   d. None of the above

6. How do Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s and John Locke’s views on the state of nature and the formation of civil society differ?
   a. Rousseau believes society corrupts humans, while Locke sees the state of nature as insecure but not inherently bad.
   b. Locke and Rousseau both argue that society is unnecessary and people should live freely without any social contracts.
   c. Rousseau focuses on property rights, while Locke emphasizes the importance of a general will governed by a dictator.
   d. Rousseau and Locke both believe that society should be based on individual self-interest above all else.

7. According to Karl Marx, what is the primary cause of capitalism's eventual collapse, and what will replace it?
   a. Capitalism will collapse due to a lack of technological innovation, leading to the rise of a new system based on private ownership.
   b. The bourgeoisie will voluntarily surrender their power to the proletariat in order to prevent overproduction and economic depressions.
   c. Capitalism will remain stable as long as the proletariat continues to work without resistance, leading to greater profits for the bourgeoisie.
   d. None of the above

8. Which of the following statements best contrasts Classical Liberalism with Modern Liberalism?
   a. Classical Liberalism believes the free market, driven by supply and demand, should regulate prices and competition, whereas Modern Liberalism believes the government needs to step in to regulate the economy to protect citizens' rights.
   b. Classical Liberalism emphasizes the importance of government intervention to regulate the market, while Modern Liberalism advocates for a completely self-regulating free market.
   c. Both Classical and Modern Liberalism agree that the government should regulate religion, the press, and free speech to maintain social order.
   d. Both A and C

9. Modern Conservatism
   a. is in favor of negative freedoms.
   b. opposes Adam Smith’s economic theory.
   c. supports traditional family values.
   d. Both A and B

10. Which of the following best describes Karl Marx’s vision of a utopian communist state?
    a. A society with a strong government and private property, where wealth is equally distributed among all classes.
    b. A society where the state controls all businesses and enforces strict class distinctions.
    c. A classless, stateless society where the need for police and money disappears, and private property is abolished.
    d. A capitalist society where workers are empowered but the government maintains control over property.

11. Which of the following leaders implemented Karl Marx’s vision of a utopian communist state?
    a. Lenin
    b. Mao
    c. Tito
    d. None of the above

12. How does Social Democracy differ from Karl Marx's vision of Socialism?
    a. Social democracy revises Marx's theory, supporting capitalism with welfare measures rather than state ownership of industry.
    b. Social democracy supports the complete abolition of capitalism and private property, while Marx believed capitalism would eventually collapse on its own.
    c. Social democracy advocates for a stateless, classless society, similar to Marx's vision of communism, but with no welfare programs.
    d. Social democracy rejects any form of government intervention in the economy, whereas Marx supported state control over all industries.

13. What Hitler and Mussolini had in common is they both
    a. took Adam Smith’s theory to radical extremes.
    b. controlled society through hyper nationalism and an iron fist.
    c. used racism to rationalize their political agendas.
    d. All of the above

14. The Equal Rights Amendment to the US constitution
    a. was put forth by classical liberals.
    b. secured voting rights for women.
    c. supported gender equality.
    d. Both B and C

15. Proponents of Environmentalism believe
    a. economic development should not come at the expense of the environment.
    b. people must make lifestyle changes to conserve energy and resources.
    c. the government should impose regulations to limit damage to the environment.
    d. All of the above

16. Which of the following policies does the Alternative for Germany (AfD) support?
    a. Adopting the Dollar instead of the Euro
    b. Deporting immigrants
    c. Sending weapons to Russia
    d. Both B and C

17. How does the presence of corruption in weak states compare to its presence in failed states?
    a. Corruption is often absent in weak states but is pervasive in failed states, where state institutions collapse entirely.
    b. Both weak and failed states exhibit rampant corruption, but in failed states, corruption becomes so entrenched that even the few remaining government structures are effectively controlled by non-state actors.
    c. Weak states experience corruption only at the local level, while failed states suffer from corruption that is entirely concentrated in the military and law enforcement sectors.
    d. Corruption is only a characteristic of effective states, where it is more concealed and less impactful than in weak or failed states.

18. Which of the following scenarios best exemplifies a key advantage of a unitary system of governance?
    a. The existence of multiple levels of government, each with distinct powers to manage different issues at local, state, and national levels.
    b. Political bickering between local units and the national government is minimized, leading to an overly decentralized system of governance.
    c. Local governments have significant autonomy to set their own education curricula and policies, allowing for local preferences to be reflected in national policy.
    d. The ability of the national government to implement uniform policies, such as education standards or tax rates, across all regions, minimizing local discrepancies.

19. How does the concept of "laboratories for policy experimentation" in federal systems potentially benefit a country, and what is one challenge associated with this?
    a. It allows states to completely develop their own policies without any federal oversight, ensuring that local issues are addressed but leading to potential fragmentation of the country’s social fabric.
    b. Each state must follow a uniform national policy, which ensures successful policies are adopted but stifles the innovation needed to address diverse local needs.
    c. States can independently experiment with policies, and if successful, the national government can adopt them. However, these experiments may only work in some regions and not translate well nationwide.
    d. By focusing on national-level policies, states are encouraged to innovate, leading to the elimination of local political differences but risking the centralization of too much power.

20. Which of the following is a primary consequence of the "first-past-the-post" system in single-member districts?
    a. Smaller parties tend to win seats in proportion to their national vote share, which leads to a more representative government.
    b. The system tends to create a political environment dominated by two major parties, with third parties struggling to gain representation.
    c. Voters are more likely to support third parties, knowing their votes can directly influence the election outcome.
    d. Coalitions between multiple parties are more common, leading to a more fragmented and diverse political system.

21. Which of the following is a key disadvantage of proportional representation systems?
    a. The need for coalition governments, which can lead to greater political fragmentation and instability.
    b. The creation of a stable two-party system that simplifies governance and reduces instability.
    c. Voters are unlikely to vote for major parties, as smaller parties dominate the political landscape.
    d. Political representation tends to be overly centrist, with limited scope for diverse political views.

22. How does gerrymandering impact single-member district systems?
    a. It allows for more competitive elections by ensuring districts are balanced between the two main parties.
    b. It creates safe districts by manipulating district boundaries to protect the electoral interests of a particular political party.
    c. It encourages a multiparty system by breaking up districts to ensure no single party can dominate.
    d. It reduces the influence of third parties by ensuring that districts are drawn in ways that favor smaller, non-majority parties.

23. How do welfare states differ from socialist states in their approach to wealth redistribution and economic control?
    a. Welfare states emphasize minimal state involvement in the economy and rely on private industry, while socialist states feature extensive government ownership and control of industries to ensure wealth redistribution.
    b. Welfare states are primarily concerned with economic prosperity and reduce taxes, while socialist states impose high taxes to fund social programs and heavily regulate industries.
    c. Both welfare states and socialist states redistribute wealth, but welfare states rely on high taxes and social programs without controlling industries, while socialist states directly own and manage major industries to promote social equality.
    d. Welfare states allow for extensive government ownership of key industries, while socialist states emphasize free markets with minimal government interference.

24. Which of the following is the primary economic difference between a laissez-faire system and a statist system?
    a. Laissez-faire systems encourage the redistribution of wealth to achieve social equality, while statist systems focus on maximizing market efficiency without concern for social equity.
    b. Laissez-faire systems feature minimal government interference in the economy, while statist systems involve the government taking a dominant role in economic activities by owning most industries.
    c. Both laissez-faire and statist systems prioritize government ownership of industries, but laissez-faire systems are less concerned with wealth redistribution.
    d. In both systems, the government controls major industries, but laissez-faire systems implement high taxes to fund social programs aimed at reducing inequality.

25. Which of the following statements best describes the fundamental difference between totalitarian and authoritarian regimes?
    a. Totalitarian regimes seek to control all aspects of society, while authoritarian regimes focus primarily on political control and allow some degree of individual freedom.
    b. Totalitarian regimes rely on military power to enforce control, whereas authoritarian regimes use ideological indoctrination to maintain power.
    c. In totalitarian regimes, the state allows political opposition as long as it does not challenge the ideology, while authoritarian regimes suppress any form of opposition entirely.
    d. Both systems centralize power in the hands of a single leader, but totalitarian regimes are less concerned with maintaining control over the media than authoritarian regimes.

26. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a Representative Democracy?
    a. Citizens directly set policy.
    b. Policymakers must be accountable directly to citizens.
    c. Election outcomes must be uncertain.
    d. Power must change hands peacefully and legitimately.

27. In a Representative Democracy, why is it critical for voters to have at least two competitors in elections?
    a. It ensures that the winning party is guaranteed to represent a majority of citizens.
    b. It promotes the stability of the political system through healthy competition.
    c. It prevents the possibility of unnecessary political reforms.
    d. It allows voters to directly participate in policymaking decisions.

28. What would be the most significant consequence of allowing a wealthy elite to unduly influence politics in a representative democracy?
    a. It would lead to more frequent changes in leadership.
    b. It would encourage direct participation of citizens in policymaking.
    c. It would strengthen the accountability of policymakers to citizens.
    d. It would undermine the principle that everyone's vote counts the same.

29. In a totalitarian state, the presence of a "cult of personality" is most effective in:
    a. Promoting political pluralism and alternative ideas.
    b. Strengthening the power of secret police forces.
    c. Consolidating the leader's unchallenged control over the state.
    d. Both B and C

30. Which of the following best describes the level of democracy in rich oil states?
    a. Oil wealth creates an economic dependency on a single resource, stifling diversification and fostering political rent-seeking behavior, which consolidates power in the hands of a few and obstructs democratization.
    b. The concentration of oil wealth in petrostates fosters economic prosperity that leads to the development of a strong middle class, which in turn pushes for greater political freedoms and democratic reforms.
    c. The economic growth generated by oil wealth results in large-scale welfare programs that reduce citizen dissatisfaction, making democratization unnecessary and even detrimental to the state's stability.
    d. None of the above

31. In a presidential system, the president is elected by the people, whereas in a parliamentary system:
    a. The president is elected indirectly through an electoral college.
    b. The prime minister is elected directly by the citizens.
    c. The prime minister is elected by the legislature from among its members.
    d. The head of state and head of government are always the same person.

32. Which of the following is a key difference between presidential and parliamentary systems regarding executive-legislative relationships?
    a. In both systems, the executive branch is dependent on the legislature for its survival.
    b. In presidential systems, the president cannot be removed by a vote of no confidence.
    c. In parliamentary systems, the president has significant executive power and cannot be removed by parliament.
    d. In presidential systems, the president’s power to appoint ministers is strictly limited to members of the legislature.

33. Under a presidential system, a president has significant power, including the ability to appoint cabinet ministers from outside the legislature. Which of the following is true of cabinet appointments in a parliamentary system?
    a. Cabinet ministers must be confirmed by the legislature after being appointed by the prime minister.
    b. Cabinet ministers are chosen from outside the legislature and do not hold parliamentary seats.
    c. Cabinet ministers are drawn from the legislature and are typically members of parliament.
    d. Cabinet ministers are only appointed by the head of state, not the prime minister.

34. In a European system based on the fusion of powers, which of the following is true?
    a. The legislative branch and executive branch are clearly separated, with each holding distinct and independent powers.
    b. The executive branch is composed of elected officials who are completely independent of the legislature.
    c. The executive branch has no connection to the legislature and operates independently.
    d. The prime minister is the head of government and is usually selected by the legislature, making the executive branch dependent on the legislative majority.

35. A significant advantage of the American system’s separation of powers is that it
    a. Creates checks and balances that prevent any one branch from accumulating excessive power, but at the cost of efficiency.
    b. Allows for greater legislative control over the executive branch.
    c. Enables the executive branch to efficiently implement laws without interference from the legislature.
    d. Makes the lawmaking process much faster than in systems with fusion of powers.

36. In a parliamentary system, if a coalition government is formed, what is one potential consequence if one of the parties in the coalition withdraws its support?
    a. The prime minister remains in office, but the government's policies continue without any change.
    b. The coalition government may collapse, leading to a new election or a vote of no confidence.
    c. The head of state immediately replaces the prime minister with a leader from the withdrawing party.
    d. The government automatically dissolves and is replaced by a presidential system.

37. In modern legislatures, the initiative to pass laws typically originates from
    a. Legislative committees, which initiate bills for the entire legislature.
    b. Executive departments and agencies, which propose legislation to be passed by the legislature.
    c. The legislature, through member-driven bills that address the public's concerns.
    d. The legislature, which creates laws in response to the president’s veto requests.

38. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding the role of a head of state in a parliamentary system?
    a. The head of state is the real working executive who runs the government and guides election campaigns.
    b. The head of state has a symbolic role, including receiving foreign ambassadors and making restrained speeches on patriotic occasions.
    c. The head of state can be ousted by a vote of no-confidence in parliament.
    d. The head of state is directly elected by the people for a fixed term.

39. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the prime minister in a parliamentary system?
    a. The prime minister's power is dependent on the stability of their majority in parliament.
    b. The prime minister must answer to parliament.
    c. The prime minister can be ousted by impeachment from the legislative body.
    d. The prime minister can dissolve parliament and call for new elections.

40. In a presidential system, which of the following is true regarding the president's tenure in office?
    a. The president is indirectly elected by the national legislature.
    b. The president is directly responsible to parliament.
    c. The president can be removed from office by a vote of no-confidence in the national legislature.
    d. The president serves fixed terms, which cannot be extended by the legislature.

41. What is a major difference between the role of the president in the United States and the role of the prime minister in a parliamentary system?
    a. The president in the US is both the head of state and the chief of government, while the prime minister is only the chief of government.
    b. The president in the US can be removed by a vote of no-confidence, while the prime minister cannot.
    c. The president in the US can call for new elections at their discretion, while the prime minister cannot.
    d. The president in the US serves for a term length that can vary, while the prime minister serves a fixed term.

42. Which of the following best highlights the key difference between the German and British parliamentary systems regarding the removal of the chief executive?
    a. In both Germany and Britain, the chief executive can be removed through a simple vote of no-confidence.
    b. In Germany, a constructive vote of no-confidence requires parliament not only to express a loss of confidence in the current Chancellor but also to propose a replacement, while in Britain, the Prime Minister can be ousted by a simple vote of no-confidence.
    c. In Britain, the Prime Minister can only be removed through impeachment, while in Germany, the Chancellor can be removed by a simple vote of no-confidence.
    d. In both Germany and Britain, the Prime Minister or Chancellor can be ousted by a direct vote of the public, bypassing parliament altogether.

43. Which of the following best describes the concept of "cohabitation" in the French semipresidential system?
    a. Cohabitation occurs when the president and the prime minister are from the same political party, leading to efficient lawmaking and unified executive power.
    b. Cohabitation occurs when the president appoints the prime minister, and the parliament has no approval role, allowing for faster passage of laws.
    c. Cohabitation results from a power-sharing agreement between the president and the prime minister, where both share equal executive authority.
    d. Cohabitation refers to the situation where the president and the prime minister are from different political parties, creating a division of power between the executive branches.

44. Which of the following best describes the source of power for bureaucrats in the U.S. government?
    a. Bureaucrats are powerful because they are elected officials who directly represent the public and have the authority to create new laws.
    b. Bureaucrats gain power primarily by being able to reinterpret and implement unclear laws, using their expertise to shape policy in practice.
    c. Bureaucrats hold power due to their ability to influence public opinion and bypass legislative processes to pass new regulations.
    d. Bureaucrats derive their power from the strict oversight of elected officials, ensuring that they remain fully accountable to the public.

45. The case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) is significant primarily because it
    a. Established the principle of judicial review, allowing courts to invalidate laws that conflict with the Constitution.
    b. Marked the first time the Supreme Court ruled on the constitutionality of a federal statute.
    c. Settled the issue of presidential powers regarding executive orders.
    d. Determined that federal judges could only be removed by impeachment.

46. International law differs from national law primarily in that
    a. International law is enforced through national courts, while national law is governed by international treaties.
    b. National law has a single, centralized enforcement authority, whereas international law relies on voluntary compliance and reciprocity between states.
    c. International law can be amended by judicial review in the same way that national law can be.
    d. None of the above

47. Which of the following is not an example of a case that might be heard by a Court of Appeals (Circuit Court)?
    a. A party appeals a decision from a District Court involving a federal statute.
    b. A party seeks to challenge an administrative decision from a federal regulatory agency.
    c. A party contests a decision made by a state court regarding a state-specific law.
    d. A party appeals a decision from a District Court involving diversity jurisdiction.

48. Which of the following is not a characteristic of the state court system?
    a. State courts handle a vast majority of the legal cases in the U.S.
    b. State courts only address civil matters and never handle criminal cases.
    c. The state court system closely mirrors the federal court system in terms of structure.
    d. Both A and B

49. The confirmation process of federal judges has become increasingly political due to
    a. The constitutional requirement for all federal judges to be nominated by the president.
    b. The absence of clear guidelines for judicial appointments, allowing presidents to act independently.
    c. The fact that only the president can nominate candidates without Senate involvement.
    d. The polarized political environment and the strategic nature of nominations based on party affiliation.

50. Which of the following best describes the main difference between the Adversarial system in the U.S. and UK and the Inquisitorial system in European courts?
    a. In the Adversarial system, judges actively investigate the facts and gather evidence, whereas in the Inquisitorial system, judges act as neutral referees.
    b. In the Adversarial system, the prosecution and defense are responsible for presenting evidence, while in the Inquisitorial system, judges actively participate in the investigation and gathering of evidence.
    c. In the Adversarial system, juries are not involved in criminal trials, whereas in the Inquisitorial system, juries play a central role in the verdict.
    d. None of the above