Question 1

The two faces of corporate power are economic and religious.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

What does Fred Block mean when he says "the ruling class does not rule"? Cite examples of how the ruling class maintains its "control" over the political process and outcomes.

Accepted Answer

Block's statement refers to the fact tha

Question 3

Why did NAFTA have important implications for the structure of corporate power in North America?

Accepted Answer

A)  It "locked-in" the neo-liberal policies of the three regimes from future government change. 
B)  It advocated regional interests over international governance. 
C)  It protected the autonomy of the state in economic decisions in Canada, the US, and Mexico. 
D)  It drew a sharp distinction between the desired policies and understandings of the largest corporations in each nation. 
E)  It proved that neo-liberal continentalism would proceed even without the support of all elite groups. 
A)  It "locked-in" the neo-liberal policies of the three regimes from future government change. 
B)  It advocated regional interests over international governance. 
C)  It protected the autonomy of the state in economic decisions in Canada, the US, and Mexico. 
D)  It drew a sharp distinction between the desired policies and understandings of the largest corporations in each nation. 
E)  It proved that neo-liberal continentalism would proceed even without the support of all elite groups.

Question 4

Karl Marx theorized that corporate capitalism is a system of ____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Class power 
B)  Corporate power 
C)  The means of production 
D)  Social relations 
E)  Transnational capitalists 
A)  Class power 
B)  Corporate power 
C)  The means of production 
D)  Social relations 
E)  Transnational capitalists

Question 5

Just 60 gigantic corporations claimed most of the profits of 1.3 million companies in Canada in 2009.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

In recent decades the elite's basis for solidarity shifted from the sphere of activism to that of leisure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Which one of the below is NOT a component of neoliberalism?

Accepted Answer

A)  Regulation of capital 
B)  Diminished relative autonomy of national states 
C)  Less direct government involvement in the economy 
D)  Freer markets 
E)  All of the above 
A)  Regulation of capital 
B)  Diminished relative autonomy of national states 
C)  Less direct government involvement in the economy 
D)  Freer markets 
E)  All of the above

Question 8

Strategic power is rooted in the democratic character of corporate capital, evident in the election of directors by shareholders.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

What is the connection between control of the corporation and ownership of shares? Explain whether you find this to be a democratic relationship.

Accepted Answer

Strategic power is control over the corp

Question 10

Agreements such as NAFTA form an integral part of the globalization process.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Explain the importance of maintaining internal cohesion among the corporate elite.

Accepted Answer

Internal cohesion among the corporate el

Question 12

In civil society, the ruling class seeks to universalize the interests of capital in profitable accumulation as the general interest of society.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

What is meant by Fred Block's famous claim that "the ruling class does not rule"?

Accepted Answer

A)  The ruling class is undergoing a slow process of decay. 
B)  The ruling class controls the political process and its outcomes. 
C)  The ruling class does not need to reach into civil society to maintain its rule. 
D)  The ruling class must exercise active leadership of the subordinate class(es). 
E)  The ruling class assumes the consent of subordinates. 
A)  The ruling class is undergoing a slow process of decay. 
B)  The ruling class controls the political process and its outcomes. 
C)  The ruling class does not need to reach into civil society to maintain its rule. 
D)  The ruling class must exercise active leadership of the subordinate class(es). 
E)  The ruling class assumes the consent of subordinates.

Question 14

In the 1970s, the "old boys" network was a centralized network of private clubs for building elite cohesion, often composed of the leading directors of dominant corporations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Read a policy paper from a think tank such as the Fraser Institute or the C.D. Howe Institute. How do they present their positions? What worldview(s) do they espouse? How are these positions linked to their research fellows and board members?

Accepted Answer

Policy papers from think tanks such as t

Question 16

Marx's omission of corporations is a major shortcoming of his economic and political remarks.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

What term does Peter Blau assign to the results of systemic inequities in society?

Accepted Answer

A)  Class power 
B)  The modern joint-stock company 
C)  Transnational corporations (TNCs) 
D)  Multilateral independence 
E)  Unilateral dependence 
A)  Class power 
B)  The modern joint-stock company 
C)  Transnational corporations (TNCs) 
D)  Multilateral independence 
E)  Unilateral dependence

Question 18

NAFTA's investor-rights provisions formed the basis of the WTO's new norm for international governance.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

What form of corporate power involves control of the labour process within the firms that actually produce the economic surplus?

Accepted Answer

A)  Strategic power 
B)  Operational power 
C)  Allocative power 
D)  Social power 
E)  Managerial power 
A)  Strategic power 
B)  Operational power 
C)  Allocative power 
D)  Social power 
E)  Managerial power

Question 20

The new business activism since the mid-1990s cannot be placed in a broader context because corporations are separate entities.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 2: Corporate Power in 21st Century Canada

The two faces of corporate power are economic and religious.

What does Fred Block mean when he says "the ruling class does not rule"? Cite examples of how the ruling class maintains its "control" over the political process and outcomes.

Why did NAFTA have important implications for the structure of corporate power in North America?

Karl Marx theorized that corporate capitalism is a system of ____________.

Just 60 gigantic corporations claimed most of the profits of 1.3 million companies in Canada in 2009.

In recent decades the elite's basis for solidarity shifted from the sphere of activism to that of leisure.

Which one of the below is NOT a component of neoliberalism?

Strategic power is rooted in the democratic character of corporate capital, evident in the election of directors by shareholders.

What is the connection between control of the corporation and ownership of shares? Explain whether you find this to be a democratic relationship.

Agreements such as NAFTA form an integral part of the globalization process.

Explain the importance of maintaining internal cohesion among the corporate elite.

In civil society, the ruling class seeks to universalize the interests of capital in profitable accumulation as the general interest of society.

What is meant by Fred Block's famous claim that "the ruling class does not rule"?

In the 1970s, the "old boys" network was a centralized network of private clubs for building elite cohesion, often composed of the leading directors of dominant corporations.

Read a policy paper from a think tank such as the Fraser Institute or the C.D. Howe Institute. How do they present their positions? What worldview(s) do they espouse? How are these positions linked to their research fellows and board members?

Marx's omission of corporations is a major shortcoming of his economic and political remarks.

What term does Peter Blau assign to the results of systemic inequities in society?

NAFTA's investor-rights provisions formed the basis of the WTO's new norm for international governance.

What form of corporate power involves control of the labour process within the firms that actually produce the economic surplus?

The new business activism since the mid-1990s cannot be placed in a broader context because corporations are separate entities.

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