Question 1

Libertarians advocate strong governments led by educated elite.

Accepted Answer

Libertarians generally advocate for limited government involvement and individual freedoms, rather than a strong government led by an educated elite.

Question 2

Karl Marx wrote that there should be an expansion of the "coercive powers of government."

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx advocated for the eventual withering away of the state and its coercive powers, not their expansion, as part of the transition to a classless, communist society.

Question 3

In small societies forms of organized government do not exist.

Accepted Answer

In small societies, forms of organized government may exist, although they may be less formal and structured than in larger societies.

Question 4

Nazism and Marxism are two examples of ideologies underlying:
A) democracy.
B) parliamentary democracy.
C) totalitarian rule.
D) authoritarian democracy.

Accepted Answer

Nazism and Marxism are both examples of ideologies that support totalitarian rule, where the government has complete control over all aspects of society and individual freedoms are limited or non-existent. Neither of these ideologies are compatible with democracy or parliamentary democracy, which require the protection of individual rights and freedoms. Authoritarian democracy is a vague concept that could potentially encompass elements of totalitarian rule, but it is not a recognized political system.

Question 5

The form of government in which the society is ruled by a dictator or clique that forbids all threats to its position is called:
A) a democracy.
B) a liberal democracy.
C) an authoritarian autocracy.
D) a unitary democracy.

Accepted Answer

The description given is of an authoritarian autocracy, where a single individual or a small group holds absolute power and controls all aspects of society without the possibility of opposition or competing governing parties. This is not a democracy or a liberal democracy, which advocate for free and fair elections and political participation by the citizens. A unitary democracy may refer to a system where power is centralized in one level of government, but it does not necessarily imply authoritarianism or the absence of political pluralism.

Question 6

Special interests have no role in determining government regulations.

Accepted Answer

Special interests often lobby government officials and contribute to political campaigns in order to influence regulations that will benefit their own interests. This can lead to regulations that do not necessarily represent the best interests of the public or the environment.

Question 7

A basic function of government is to protect its citizens from internal and external enemies.

Accepted Answer

One of the fundamental functions of government is to provide protection to its citizens against threats from within and outside the country, including criminal activity, terrorism, invasion, and other forms of violence.

Question 8

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "I like to pay taxes. With taxes I buy civilization."

Accepted Answer

This quote is attributed to Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes.

Question 9

All governments strive for justice.

Accepted Answer

Different governments have varying priorities, and while some may strive for justice, others may prioritize economic development, stability, or other goals over justice.

Question 10

The belief in the rule of an elite whose members have special abilities is called fascism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The belief in the rule of an...

Question 11

Autocrats:
A) expect that people will make good decisions in free elections.
B) do not expect people to know what is good for them.
C) believe in majority rule.
D) believe in the power of the people.

Accepted Answer

Autocrats do not trust that the people know what is good for them and therefore do not expect them to make good decisions in free elections.

Question 12

Thomas Paine contended that government is unnecessary "to supply the defect of moral virtue."

Accepted Answer

Thomas Paine contended that government is necessary "to supply the defect of moral virtue," suggesting that government's role is to compensate for the shortcomings in human morality and ensure order and justice in society.

Question 13

Justice means:
A) the same things to all people.
B) different things to different people.
C) some are entitled to more than others.
D) inequality is the way of life.

Accepted Answer

Justice is a concept that varies greatly among different cultures, societies, and individuals. What one person or group considers just may be seen as unjust by another, leading to the understanding that justice means different things to different people.

Question 14

Thomas Hobbes concluded that government results from a contract among free persons desirous of preserving life and increasing its contentment.

Accepted Answer

This is an accurate summary of Hobbes' theory of social contract, as outlined in his book "Leviathan".

Question 15

The set of institutions by which a society is ruled is called a:
A) conglomerate.
B) corporation.
C) social league.
D) government.

Accepted Answer

The set of institutions by which a society is ruled is called a government. A conglomerate and corporation are private entities, and social league is not a common term used to refer to the governing institutions of a society.

Question 16

The view that government must exist as is and should not be tampered with because it serves a necessary function is called the:
A) positivist approach.
B) functionalist approach.
C) conflict approach.
D) rationalist approach.

Accepted Answer

The functionalist approach argues that social institutions, including the government, exist because they serve a necessary function in society. Therefore, the government must continue to exist in its current form to maintain order and stability. This view contrasts with the conflict approach that argues that the government only serves the interests of the ruling class and needs to be fundamentally changed or replaced. The positivist approach emphasizes the use of empirical evidence and scientific methods in studying society, while the rationalist approach emphasizes the use of reason and logic in decision-making.

Question 17

Anarchists believe that institutions, like private property and the state, exploit and corrupt humans.

Accepted Answer

Anarchists hold a belief that institutions such as private property and the state exploit and corrupt humans, therefore they advocate for the abolition of such institutions.

Question 18

Of all institutions of social control, government is the least inclusive.

Accepted Answer

Government is one of the most inclusive institutions of social control as it encompasses laws, regulations, and policies that affect the entire population within its jurisdiction, unlike other institutions that may target specific groups.

Question 19

An autocratic government's right to rule:
A) is derived from the people.
B) depends on the will of the majority.
C) is derived from popular sovereignty.
D) is derived from power.

Accepted Answer

An autocratic government's right to rule is based on power, often gained through force, rather than any democratic or popular mandate. Autocratic rulers do not derive their authority from the people or popular sovereignty, and their rule does not depend on the will of the majority.

Question 20

Government is by far the most powerful of all social institutions.

Accepted Answer

Government has the ability to make and enforce laws, collect taxes, regulate social and economic activities, control public resources, and exercise force to maintain order and protect citizens. No other social institution possesses such authority and power.

Quiz 14: The Functions and Forms of Government

Libertarians advocate strong governments led by educated elite.

Karl Marx wrote that there should be an expansion of the "coercive powers of government."

In small societies forms of organized government do not exist.

Nazism and Marxism are two examples of ideologies underlying:

The form of government in which the society is ruled by a dictator or clique that forbids all threats to its position is called:

Special interests have no role in determining government regulations.

A basic function of government is to protect its citizens from internal and external enemies.

Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes said, "I like to pay taxes. With taxes I buy civilization."

All governments strive for justice.

The belief in the rule of an elite whose members have special abilities is called fascism.

Autocrats:

Thomas Paine contended that government is unnecessary "to supply the defect of moral virtue."

Justice means:

Thomas Hobbes concluded that government results from a contract among free persons desirous of preserving life and increasing its contentment.

The set of institutions by which a society is ruled is called a:

The view that government must exist as is and should not be tampered with because it serves a necessary function is called the:

Anarchists believe that institutions, like private property and the state, exploit and corrupt humans.

Of all institutions of social control, government is the least inclusive.

An autocratic government's right to rule:

Government is by far the most powerful of all social institutions.