Chapter 1: Politics: Who Gets What, When and How
They really like that definition of politics in this book...
Okay, here's the multiple choice and true/false, and the essay questions. I'll reply to my own article with the answers (and the essay once I write it), but see how well you do without peeking.
1. What distinguishes governmental politics from politics in other institutions in society?
a. governmental decisions are limited
b. governmental decisions extend to the whole society
c. governments can use force
d. both governmental decisions are limted and governmental decisions extend to the whole society
e. both governmental decisions extend to the whole society and governments can use force
2. Governmental legitimacy refers to:
a. widespread acceptance of the government as necessary, rightful, and legally binding
b. governmental coercion
c. a government in which citizens have no right to consent
d. governments that are based on fear
3. Civil disobedience:
a. implies violence
b. can be an effective stimulus for change in a democracy
c. has been rare in this country
d. has no place in a democracy
4. Governments exist for all of the following purposes except:
a. to provide for the common defense
b. to ensure happiness
c. to secure the blessings of liberty
d. to promote the general welfare
e. to establish justice and insure domestic tranquility
5. In recognition for his extraordinary contributions to the development of nonviolent methonds of social change, in 1964 the Nobel Peace Prize was given to:
a. President Lyndon B. Johnson
b. Martin Luther King, Jr.
c. President John F. Kennedy
d. Robert Kennedy
6. During the 1990s governmental size has generally:
a. slightly increased
b. decreased
c. stayed about the same
d. increased dramatically
7. A meaningful definition of a democracy requires all of the following except:
a. property requirements for voting rights
b. equality
c. individual dignity
d. majority rule
8. When Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence he borrowed heavily from a philospher named:
a. Jean Jacques Rousseau
b. John Adams
c. Thomas Hobbes
d. John Locke
9. The "paradox of democracy" refers to:
a. low voter turnout
b. citizens must be wealthy to effectively participate in the political process
c. majority rule may potentially conflict with individual freedom
d. citizens cannot pursue happiness without an education
10. The principle means by which governmental powers can be limited are:
a. constitutions
b. Rule of Law
c. political violence
d. members of Congress
T/F
1. A representative form of democracy allows the people to vote on laws.
2. Elitism implies that all societies are ruled by the few who hold the power.
3. Americans are largely apathetic and ill informed about policy questions, and so are highly influenced by elites.
4. John Locke was skeptical of "natural law" and did not believe that individuals possessed certain inalienable rights.
5. Pluralism is the belief that a democracy can never exist in large, complex societies.
6. Interest groups play a large role in the theory of pluralism.
7. The conflict between majority rule and individual rights was resolved in the twentieth century.
8. One way to assess the degree of democracy in a country is to consider its record in ensuring politcal freedoms.
9. Only governments can legitimately use force to uphold the laws.
10. Governments based upon consent of the people have a special claim to legitimacy.
And the essays (I'm supposed to choose one; I'll get around to it, I'm sure):
1. Discuss the "paradox" of democracy. What is it and how did the founding fathers protect against it?
2. What were John Locke's basic theories? How did these theories contribute to the American Revolution and to the Declaration of Independence?
3. Compare elitism to pluralism. Discuss the relevance of each idea to American society. Which do you think is a more appropriate depiction of governmental influence today? Why?
Discuss amongst yourselves. Or not.