Question 1

The World Bank recently developed the Knowledge Economy Index (KEI),which rates countries based on their overall preparedness to compete in the knowledge economy.Which country ranked number one?

Accepted Answer

A)  The United States 
B)  Sweden 
C)  China 
D)  Mexico

Question 2

What term refers to carrying out tasks that require mental and physical effort,with the objective of the production of goods and services that cater to human needs?

Accepted Answer

A)  technology 
B)  work 
C)  power 
D)  authority

Question 3

President Dwight David Eisenhower,who had been supreme commander of the Allied forces in Europe in World War II,warned in his presidential farewell address

Accepted Answer

A)  of the dangers of what he termed the "military-industrial complex." 
B)  that any decrease in military spending might put the United States "at risk of terrorism." 
C)  that a two-party system was unsustainable in the long term. 
D)  of the danger of Cuba falling to "communist insurgents."

Question 4

At the turn of the nineteenth century in the United States,Joan's great-great-grandmother could not own property.The ability of Joan to own property today demonstrates the achievement of

Accepted Answer

A)  a civil right. 
B)  a political right. 
C)  a social right. 
D)  a cultural right.

Question 5

According to the theory of alienation,how does the division of labor alienate human beings from their work?

Accepted Answer

A)  by forcing many immigrant workers to become illegal aliens in other countries and to work without the basic protections offered to documented workers 
B)  by dividing workers into separate industries and thus disallowing them from uniting in common causes 
C)  by separating workers on the basis of racial,economic,and social differences into ghettos far from their places of work 
D)  by giving workers little control over their jobs,only contributing a fraction to the creation of the overall product.

Question 6

In a political system based on proportional representation,

Accepted Answer

A)  there is a greater concentration of political ideas on the middle ground than in two-party systems. 
B)  when a single party lacks an overall majority,a government by coalition can lead to indecision and stalemate. 
C)  legal restrictions are placed on the number of political parties. 
D)  there is a closer resemblance between the various political parties than in two-party systems.

Question 7

What are the three main characteristics of the modern nation-state? Describe each in one sentence.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three main characteristics of...

Question 8

In a short paragraph,explain why unions in the United States have suffered from a decline in membership since the 1980s.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a short paragraph,explain why unions in...

Question 9

What term do sociologists use to describe the use of science and machinery to achieve greater productive efficiency?

Accepted Answer

A)  mathematics 
B)  power 
C)  authority 
D)  technology

Question 10

Steve's job is to install the left-side door handles as the car bodies move along the assembly line.What term would sociologists use to describe the specialization of Steve's work tasks?

Accepted Answer

A)  globalization 
B)  credentialism 
C)  division of labor 
D)  economic independence

Question 11

Suppose a country spiraled into economic recession.What would John Maynard Keynes recommend to fight the recession?

Accepted Answer

A)  cut subsidies to agricultural businesses to encourage cheap imports 
B)  invest in public infrastructure to create jobs 
C)  slash welfare programs for the poor 
D)  reduce government unemployment benefits

Question 12

Countries in which voters can choose between two or more political parties,and the majority of the adult population has the right to vote,are usually called

Accepted Answer

A)  absolute monarchies. 
B)  participatory democracies. 
C)  liberal democracies. 
D)  communist democracies.

Question 13

In 1900,approximately three-quarters of the employed population was in manual work,either farming or blue-collar work such as manufacturing.In 2016,the manufacturing workforce was only 8 percent,while white-collar professional and service employment accounted for 80 percent.What is a reason for the transformation of the occupational structure in the United States?

Accepted Answer

A)  the introduction of labor-saving machinery 
B)  the decline of white-collar professional and service employment in other parts of the world,primarily Asia 
C)  the increase in full-time paid employment with the same employer over a long period of time 
D)  the aging labor force

Question 14

Which of the following scenarios is the best example of worker alienation according to Marx's view?

Accepted Answer

A)  Kim is a social worker in a large city and copes with feelings of stress about not being able to get all of her work done in a 40-hour work week. 
B)  Andre feels angry about his inability to secure a full-time job.Despite a college degree,and some prior work experience,he has only been able to find part-time work in a small office. 
C)  Sergio works in a warehouse pulling products people have ordered from an online merchant to be shipped to them the next day.His accuracy and speed are closely monitored by his immediate supervisor,which he resents. 
D)  Shawnda found,after completing law school and securing work at a midsized law firm,that she did not enjoy legal work.She is planning her next career move.

Question 15

According to the textbook,which of the following statements is true about political action committees (PACs)?

Accepted Answer

A)  They are committees made up of senators who work together on financial issues that the president recommends. 
B)  They have little influence on presidential elections. 
C)  More than 40 percent of the funding in congressional elections comes from PACs. 
D)  They are legally barred from giving political opinions publicly during the months leading up to an election.

Question 16

Why did Max Weber assume that direct democracy is impossible as a means of regular government in large-scale societies?

Accepted Answer

A)  Direct democracies would be at a military disadvantage to other,more authoritarian societies. 
B)  When Weber wrote,no direct democracies had yet existed. 
C)  The costs of direct democratic rule in large-scale societies would be especially prohibitive. 
D)  Running a complex society demands expertise.

Question 17

Wei babysits in exchange for a room in his friend's house.What is the term that sociologists use to refer to this kind of transaction?

Accepted Answer

A)  informal economy 
B)  tax-evasion planning 
C)  dual goods exchange 
D)  capitalism

Question 18

David lives in a small town in Maine where all members of the community come together annually to legislate policy and budgets.This kind of political system can best be described as what?

Accepted Answer

A)  an absolute monarchy 
B)  a constitutional monarchy 
C)  a liberal democracy 
D)  a participatory democracy

Question 19

Sophia subscribes to the theory that government policies in a democracy are influenced by the continual processes of bargaining among numerous groups representing different interests.Sophia's ideas could best be described as

Accepted Answer

A)  libertarian communist. 
B)  pluralist. 
C)  power elitist. 
D)  multicultural.

Question 20

What did Max Weber value most about multiparty democracy?

Accepted Answer

A)  It made possible mass participation in politics. 
B)  It generated quality leadership. 
C)  It made direct democracy possible. 
D)  It made possible rule by ordinary citizens.

Exam 13: Politics and Economic Life

The World Bank recently developed the Knowledge Economy Index (KEI) ,which rates countries based on their overall preparedness to compete in the knowledge economy.Which country ranked number one?