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

Why are Canadians turning to unorthodox ways of influencing politics?

Accepted Answer

A) because there is a separation between public priorities and political will 
B) because they are increasingly weary of elections 
C) because the wait is viewed as too long between elections 
D) because direct action and protest are becoming increasingly popular

Question 3

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 4

In what ways are authority and legitimacy related?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways are authority and legitimacy...

Question 5

Many previously non-democratic nations held competitive elections between the 1970s and the 1990s; however, democracy in these new regimes was often ineffectual and limited.How did many Western political sociologists react to this situation?

Accepted Answer

A) They rethought the democratic electoral process. 
B) They rethought the social preconditions for democracy. 
C) They brought in sophisticated economic analyses. 
D) They focused their analyses on political elites across nations.

Question 6

According to the textbook, what undermined the first historical wave of democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) the rise of authoritarian and totalitarian rule 
B) the rise of democratic socialism 
C) the overthrow of many governments by anarcho-syndicalists 
D) the overthrow of many governments by military juntas

Question 7

Which of the following is a precondition of liberal democracy?

Accepted Answer

A) postindustrialism 
B) urbanization 
C) economic equality 
D) technological innovation

Question 8

What type of group is the Bloc Québécois?

Accepted Answer

A) a social movement 
B) a political party 
C) an interest group 
D) a lobby

Question 9

According to the textbook, which of the following factors appear to prevent war on a nation's own soil?

Accepted Answer

A) economic development and democratic government 
B) socialist government and economic growth 
C) economic stability and communist government 
D) authoritarian government and economic stability

Question 10

What do we call the ability to achieve one's goals despite opposition from others?

Accepted Answer

A) authority 
B) power 
C) influence 
D) social control

Question 11

Which of the following elements of civil society specializes in keeping a close watch on the activities of politicians and the state and informing the public about their activities?

Accepted Answer

A) interest groups 
B) lobbies 
C) mass media 
D) social movements

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Why was Canada's "most important election" characterized by one wit as "government of the people, by the lawyers, for the businessmen"?

Accepted Answer

A) because it was declared legally invalid based on a vote miscount 
B) because it was viewed as being the result of big business sponsorship of all party campaigns 
C) because each of the candidates was a lawyer or businessperson looking after their own interests 
D) because it was believed to have been won on the basis of a strong business lobby and expensive media campaigns

Question 14

A father tells his nine-year-old daughter that she is unable to leave her room for the rest of the day because she misbehaved.She immediately leaves her room anyway and the father returns her to her room and locks the door.What is the father demonstrating in this situation?

Accepted Answer

A) parental authority 
B) social control 
C) corporal punishment 
D) force

Question 15

Discuss why Al-Qaeda turned to terrorism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss why Al-Qaeda turned to terrorism....

Question 16

Charismatic figures sometimes emerge during political revolution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In modern societies, authority is derived from respect for the law.Laws specify how a person can legitimately achieve positions of command and accomplish tasks.If a person achieves political office by following societal laws, what type of authority does he or she have?

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

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 19

According to C.Wright Mills, connections between elites create what Marx called a "ruling class."

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Having an illiterate populace is a social precondition of democracy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 14: Politics

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

Why are Canadians turning to unorthodox ways of influencing politics?

In what ways are authority and legitimacy related?

Many previously non-democratic nations held competitive elections between the 1970s and the 1990s; however, democracy in these new regimes was often ineffectual and limited.How did many Western political sociologists react to this situation?

According to the textbook, what undermined the first historical wave of democracy?

Which of the following is a precondition of liberal democracy?

What type of group is the Bloc Québécois?

According to the textbook, which of the following factors appear to prevent war on a nation's own soil?

What do we call the ability to achieve one's goals despite opposition from others?

Which of the following elements of civil society specializes in keeping a close watch on the activities of politicians and the state and informing the public about their activities?

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

Why was Canada's "most important election" characterized by one wit as "government of the people, by the lawyers, for the businessmen"?

A father tells his nine-year-old daughter that she is unable to leave her room for the rest of the day because she misbehaved.She immediately leaves her room anyway and the father returns her to her room and locks the door.What is the father demonstrating in this situation?

Discuss why Al-Qaeda turned to terrorism.

Charismatic figures sometimes emerge during political revolution.

In modern societies, authority is derived from respect for the law.Laws specify how a person can legitimately achieve positions of command and accomplish tasks.If a person achieves political office by following societal laws, what type of authority does he or she have?

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?

According to C.Wright Mills, connections between elites create what Marx called a "ruling class."

Having an illiterate populace is a social precondition of democracy.