Question 1

In general, what has the pluralist theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

Accepted Answer

A)  that democratic politics is about compromise and the accommodation of group interests 
B)  that despite compromise and accommodation, power is concentrated among high-status groups in society 
C)  that despite the concentration of power in society, shifts in the distribution of power do occur 
D)  that despite the influence of the distribution of power on political life, the state exerts a powerful independent influence

Question 2

What was the basis of the resistance to democracy exhibited by "the dinosaur" of Robert Brym's Russian trip?

Accepted Answer

A)  prejudice against Western values and beliefs 
B)  a fear of modernization 
C)  the equating of democratic freedom with greed and inequality 
D)  the belief that Russians would be unable to overcome earlier values associated with communism

Question 3

Which theory examines how government officials are power-holders, mainly based upon the fact that they hold political office?

Accepted Answer

A)  civil society theory 
B)  institution theory 
C)  state-centred theory 
D)  bureaucracy theory

Question 4

What do we call the institution that specializes in exercising power and authority over the citizenry of a nation?

Accepted Answer

A)  the authoritarian command apparatus 
B)  civil society 
C)  the coercive socio-political system 
D)  the state

Question 5

In a recent opinion poll, almost 90 percent of Canadians stated that they wanted governments to set concrete targets and timelines for poverty reduction in Canada. Despite this finding, politicians continue to prioritize other issues. What does the textbook say about this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

A)  People are more concerned with issues that directly impact them. 
B)  Politicians will say whatever they need to, to get elected. 
C)  There is a disconnect between Canadian priorities and Canadian politics. 
D)  Canadians are finally beginning to bring their politics and their priorities together.

Question 6

Why are class divisions less important than regional divisions in Canadian politics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why are class divisions less important than...

Question 7

When uncommon people challenge existing authority because they claim to be motivated by a higher authority or higher principles, what type of authority are they exhibiting?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

Gillian's sociology professor tells her class that she had studied under the sociologist who created the theory that suggests the power elite occupy the top of the power pyramid in the United States. Who was Gillian's professor's professor?

Accepted Answer

A)  Talcott Parsons 
B)  Robert Merton 
C)  Wright Mills 
D)  John Porter

Question 9

Power is the ability to control others, even against their will.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

The largest wave of democracy began in the mid-1970s with the downfall of military dictatorships in Portugal and Greece.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Compare and contrast the pluralist, elitist, power resource, and state-centred theories of power and political activity on the question of who is powerful in Canadian society and why.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the pluralist, elitist, power...

Question 12

Discuss the postmaterialism school of thought and the links to voting behaviour and unorthodox political action on the part of many Canadians.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the postmaterialism school of thought and...

Question 13

According to the textbook, which election was the most important Canadian federal election of the twentieth century?

Accepted Answer

A)  the 1968 election 
B)  the 1988 election 
C)  the 1993 election 
D)  the 2006 election

Question 14

As of 2015, approximately what percentage of Members of Parliament and provincial and territorial members of legislative assemblies were women?

Accepted Answer

A)  46 percent 
B)  36 percent 
C)  26 percent 
D)  16 percent

Question 15

In general, what has the power resource theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

Accepted Answer

A)  that democratic politics is about compromise and the accommodation of group interests 
B)  that despite compromise and accommodation, power is concentrated among high-status groups in society 
C)  that despite the concentration of power in society, shifts in the distribution of power do occur 
D)  that despite the influence of the distribution of power on political life, the state exerts a powerful independent influence

Question 16

Amartya is angry with the leadership at her university because she believes that most of the grants, student work-study projects, and bursaries are given to undeserving but well-connected students. She organizes other students who create an organization that mounts protests, educates the public and campus population, and attempts to put pressure on the university to change its policies. What is this organization an example of?

Accepted Answer

A)  a political party 
B)  a lobby 
C)  a political revolution 
D)  a social movement

Question 17

In general, what has the state-centred theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

Accepted Answer

A)  that democratic politics is about compromise and the accommodation of group interests 
B)  that despite compromise and accommodation, power is concentrated among high-status groups in society 
C)  that despite the concentration of power in society, shifts in the distribution of power do occur 
D)  that despite the influence of the distribution of power on political life, the state exerts a powerful independent influence

Question 18

A business entrepreneur wants to open a pharmacy, but finds himself bogged down in a quagmire of bureaucracy, rules, and regulations required to set up his business. Select the term that best describes whose responsibility it is to regulate such activities.

Accepted Answer

A)  the state 
B)  lobby groups 
C)  political action committees 
D)  the senate

Question 19

What is the theory of postmaterialism? How well does it apply to Canada?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the theory of postmaterialism? How...

Question 20

Which theory examines how the state influences and structures political life?

Accepted Answer

A)  state elite theory 
B)  state pluralist theory 
C)  state organizational theory 
D)  state-centred theory

Exam 14: Politics

In general, what has the pluralist theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

What was the basis of the resistance to democracy exhibited by "the dinosaur" of Robert Brym's Russian trip?

Which theory examines how government officials are power-holders, mainly based upon the fact that they hold political office?

What do we call the institution that specializes in exercising power and authority over the citizenry of a nation?

In a recent opinion poll, almost 90 percent of Canadians stated that they wanted governments to set concrete targets and timelines for poverty reduction in Canada. Despite this finding, politicians continue to prioritize other issues. What does the textbook say about this phenomenon?

Why are class divisions less important than regional divisions in Canadian politics?

When uncommon people challenge existing authority because they claim to be motivated by a higher authority or higher principles, what type of authority are they exhibiting?

Gillian's sociology professor tells her class that she had studied under the sociologist who created the theory that suggests the power elite occupy the top of the power pyramid in the United States. Who was Gillian's professor's professor?

Power is the ability to control others, even against their will.

The largest wave of democracy began in the mid-1970s with the downfall of military dictatorships in Portugal and Greece.

Compare and contrast the pluralist, elitist, power resource, and state-centred theories of power and political activity on the question of who is powerful in Canadian society and why.

Discuss the postmaterialism school of thought and the links to voting behaviour and unorthodox political action on the part of many Canadians.

According to the textbook, which election was the most important Canadian federal election of the twentieth century?

As of 2015, approximately what percentage of Members of Parliament and provincial and territorial members of legislative assemblies were women?

In general, what has the power resource theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

In general, what has the state-centred theory contributed to sociologists' understandings of political power?

A business entrepreneur wants to open a pharmacy, but finds himself bogged down in a quagmire of bureaucracy, rules, and regulations required to set up his business. Select the term that best describes whose responsibility it is to regulate such activities.

What is the theory of postmaterialism? How well does it apply to Canada?

Which theory examines how the state influences and structures political life?