Question 1

Describe some of the correlations associated with voting behavior in presidential elections over the past two decades. What political generalizations about voting behavior can be made as it relates to race/ethnicity, gender, and education?

Accepted Answer

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Question 2

Describe three different political systems, economic systems, or political ideologies. What do they have in common? What is different about them?

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

Ancient political thinkers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle believed which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) That political power should be applied as a way of maintaining power 
B) That political power should be understood as a way of achieving domination 
C) That political power should be applied as a means to an end of acquiring social justice 
D) That political power should be thought of as a contract between the government and the governed 
E) That political power should achieve a balance of force and freedom

Question 4

According to Aristotle, what political ability is most highly valued because it allows us to put reason into action?

Accepted Answer

A) Political amorality 
B) Political debate 
C) Political leadership 
D) Political manipulation 
E) Strategic political thinking

Question 5

Which of the following disciplines are considered social sciences, and what do they communally seek to understand?

Accepted Answer

A) Political science, physics, and sociology all seek to understand human behavior. 
B) Anthropology, criminology, and political science all seek to understand human behavior. 
C) Criminology, medicine, and political science all seek to understand human pathology. 
D) Criminology, political science, and psychology all seek to understand human pathology. 
E) Biology and psychology both seek to understand human and animal pathology.

Question 6

What are the different areas of research in political science? Why are theories such an important part of political science research? Which area of research do you find most compelling, and why?

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Question 7

Why does Aristotle argue that political debate is the most highly valued political skill? What does it take to win a political policy debate? How can learning debate skills influence public policy?

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Question 8

What differences do scholars find between the judicial decisions of men and women justices?

Accepted Answer

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Question 9

What is the most significant predictor of whether a young person is likely to vote?

Accepted Answer

A) Employment history 
B) Educational attainment 
C) Gender 
D) Race or ethnicity 
E) State of residence

Question 10

Which of the following refers to a person who believes that all government is corrupt and that organized authority should be abolished?

Accepted Answer

A) Anarchist 
B) Liberal 
C) Libertarian 
D) Autocrat 
E) Terrorist

Question 11

Which of the following is an element of fascism?

Accepted Answer

A) Totalitarianism 
B) Authoritarianism 
C) Communism 
D) Libertarianism 
E) Pacifism

Question 12

How did Harold Lasswell define politics ?

Accepted Answer

A) The natural relationship between the government and the governed 
B) The quest for power and order 
C) The consent of the governed 
D) The concept of who gets what, when, and how 
E) The balance between the haves and have nots

Question 13

When leverage is gained through the sway of diplomatic and cultural persuasion, the state is using which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Hard power 
B) Soft power 
C) Terrorism 
D) Strict scrutiny 
E) Civil disobedience

Question 14

Which of the following refers to an economic system in which the means of production, such as land and factories, are privately owned and operated for profit?

Accepted Answer

A) socialism 
B) communism 
C) capitalism 
D) oligarchy 
E) aristocracy

Question 15

Which of the following statements about voting turnout rates is true?

Accepted Answer

A) As a percentage, African Americans turned out in higher numbers than Caucasians in 2012. 
B) As a percentage, Hispanics turned out in higher numbers than African Americans in 2016. 
C) As a percentage, African Americans turned out in higher numbers in 2016 than in 2012. 
D) As a percentage, men turned out in larger numbers than women in 2016. 
E) As a percentage, those with less education were more likely to vote in 2016.

Question 16

A political system where a king or queen holds absolute or limited power, usually inherited, is known as what?

Accepted Answer

A) Oligarchy 
B) Aristocracy 
C) Plutocracy 
D) Democracy 
E) Monarchy

Question 17

In 2011, the grassroots revolt against Middle Eastern autocrats was inspired by which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) The killing of Osama bin Laden 
B) The election of President Barack Obama 
C) Tunisian protester Mohammed Bouazizi setting himself on fire 
D) The toppling of monarchs in Europe 
E) The US Constitution

Question 18

Which political belief system holds that war is never justified and that all disputes should be settled peacefully?

Accepted Answer

A) Pacifism 
B) Libertarianism 
C) Classical liberalism 
D) Marxism 
E) Traditional conservatism

Exam 1: Why Politics Matters