Master Political Science Fundamentals: Power, Authority, and the State

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for statehood under the Montevideo Convention?

Accepted Answer

Subordination to another state

Answer

Permanent population

Answer

Defined territory

Answer

Government recognized by other states

Question 2

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of a modern state, according to classical political theory?

Accepted Answer

Democratic government

Answer

Legitimate authority

Answer

Monopoly on violence

Answer

Independent judiciary

Question 3

Power can be defined as the:

Accepted Answer

Capacity to control or influence others

Answer

Legitimate use of force

Answer

Influence over decision-making

Answer

Possession of resources

Question 4

Which of the following theories emphasizes the role of conflict and competition in politics?

Accepted Answer

Marxism

Answer

Pluralism

Answer

Elitism

Answer

Structuralism

Question 5

The fundamental principles and values that underlie a political system are known as its:

Accepted Answer

Ideology

Answer

Constitution

Answer

Doctrine

Answer

Policy

Question 6

Which defining feature characterizes a welfare state?

Accepted Answer

Provision of public services like healthcare and education

Answer

Focus on personal accountability

Answer

Limited government involvement in the economy

Answer

Absence of social welfare programs

Question 7

Define citizenship and describe the rights and responsibilities it entails.

Accepted Answer

Legal recognition of an individual's connection to a state, granting specific rights and duties.

Answer

A voluntary association offering benefits to its members.

Answer

A status inherited through family lineage.

Answer

A temporary permit allowing foreign nationals to reside in a country.

Question 8

What is political culture and how does it affect political systems and decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Shared values, beliefs, and norms that shape political behavior and institutions.

Answer

The type of government a country has.

Answer

The economic system of a country.

Answer

The religious beliefs of a country's population.

Question 9

Distinguish between actual and potential power in political contexts. Provide examples to clarify your explanation.

Accepted Answer

Actual power is the authority to make and enforce decisions, while potential power is the influence an individual or group holds over others.

Answer

Potential power is the ability to control others, while actual power is the ability to influence others.

Answer

Actual and potential power are identical concepts.

Answer

Actual power is granted by law, while potential power stems from personal charisma.

Question 10

In democratic societies, what is a primary function of political parties?

Accepted Answer

Organize and mobilize voters

Answer

Enact legislation

Answer

Uphold and enforce laws

Answer

Provide social services

Question 11

The concept of sovereignty refers to a government's:

Accepted Answer

Supreme and exclusive authority within its territory

Answer

Shared power with other entities

Answer

Limited powers granted by citizens

Answer

Accountability to international organizations

Question 12

Which of the following is not a type of political power?

Accepted Answer

Moral authority

Answer

Coercive power

Answer

Persuasive power

Answer

Economic power

Question 13

Authority differs from power primarily in that authority is:

Accepted Answer

Recognized as legitimate

Answer

Obtained through coercion

Answer

Exercised by individuals

Answer

Derived from divine right

Question 14

The principle of 'popular sovereignty' suggests that political power ultimately:

Accepted Answer

Rests with the people

Answer

Should be concentrated in the hands of the elite

Answer

Belongs to the government without restriction

Answer

Cannot be exercised by citizens directly

Question 15

Which characteristic is common to both authority and legitimacy?

Accepted Answer

Recognition by society

Answer

Ability to enforce compliance

Answer

Origin in coercion

Answer

Imposition on citizens

Question 16

The concept of 'absolute power' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Power is unlimited and unchecked

Answer

Power is limited by constitutional constraints

Answer

Power is shared among different entities

Answer

Power is only legitimate if it is absolute

Question 17

The concept that the state has the exclusive right to use force within its territory is known as:

Accepted Answer

State monopoly on violence

Answer

State power

Answer

Government authority

Answer

Public safety

Question 18

How do the state and political society interact and influence each other?

Accepted Answer

The state and political society are separate but influence each other.

Answer

The state has complete control over political society.

Answer

Political society has no impact on the state.

Answer

The state is merely a tool for political society.

Question 19

How does political culture affect the political actions of individuals?

Accepted Answer

Political culture shapes their political values and beliefs.

Answer

Political culture has no influence on how people act politically.

Answer

Political culture only affects the political behavior of the elite.

Answer

Political culture is only important in democratic political systems.

Question 20

**Precise Definition of Political Power:** Which of the following accurately defines political power?

Accepted Answer

The ability to influence or mandate others' actions

Answer

The privilege to create and enforce laws

Answer

The legal possession of authority

Question 21

**Primary Function of the State:** What is the fundamental role of the state within a political system?

Accepted Answer

To uphold order, provide public services, and protect its citizens

Answer

To suppress dissent and regulate the population

Answer

To foster economic growth and prosperity

Question 22

**Characteristic of Sovereignty:** Which attribute is NOT a defining feature of sovereignty?

Accepted Answer

It can be shared among multiple entities

Answer

It holds the highest authority within its territory

Answer

It is indivisible and remains whole

Question 23

**Distinction Between Authority and Legitimacy:** What is the fundamental difference between authority and legitimacy?

Accepted Answer

Authority stems from power, while legitimacy is derived from consent

Answer

Authority belongs to the government, while legitimacy rests with the people

Answer

Authority is formal and legal, while legitimacy is informal and traditional

Question 24

**Example of Political Ideology:** Which of the following is a prominent example of a political ideology?

Accepted Answer

Liberalism

Answer

The Constitution

Answer

The United Nations

Answer

The Supreme Court

Question 25

**Primary Purpose of Political Parties:** What is the central role of a political party?

Accepted Answer

To organize and mobilize voters in support of its candidates

Answer

To establish and enforce laws

Answer

To govern the nation

Question 26

**Element of Democratic Systems:** Which feature is essential to a democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

A single dominant political party

Answer

A formidable military force

Answer

An established state religion

Question 27

**Purpose of Political Science:** What is the fundamental goal of political science?

Accepted Answer

To study and analyze politics and government

Answer

To resolve social issues directly

Answer

To prepare individuals for political careers

Answer

To advocate for a particular political viewpoint

Question 28

**Major Subfield of Political Science:** Which of the following is a recognized subfield within political science?

Accepted Answer

Comparative politics

Answer

History

Answer

Economics

Answer

Sociology

Question 29

Which of the following is a core concept in political science that refers to the ability of individuals or institutions to influence the behavior of others?

Accepted Answer

Power

Answer

Justice

Answer

Culture

Answer

Geography

Question 30

The exclusive right of a government to make and enforce laws within a defined territory is known as:

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty

Answer

Power

Answer

Authority

Answer

Legitimacy

Question 31

Which of the following is the most common basis for political legitimacy, where individuals believe that those in power have the right to rule?

Accepted Answer

Belief in the rightness of authority

Answer

Force

Answer

Charismatic leadership

Answer

Tradition

Question 32

The concept of 'the state' refers to:

Accepted Answer

A political system with a centralized government and a monopoly on the legitimate use of force

Answer

Any organized political community

Answer

A group of people living under a common government

Question 33

Which of the following is a key difference between power and authority?

Accepted Answer

Authority is based on legitimacy, while power is not

Answer

Power can be exercised over individuals, while authority cannot

Answer

Authority is always formal, while power can be informal

Question 34

The idea that political power should be distributed among different branches of government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful is known as:

Accepted Answer

Separation of powers

Answer

Federalism

Answer

Checks and balances

Answer

Devolution

Question 35

The concept of 'political culture' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The shared political orientations, values, and beliefs within a society that influence how people think about and participate in politics.

Answer

The formal institutions of government

Answer

The distribution of power in a society

Question 36

The capacity of a government to exert authority and enforce its decisions is termed:

Accepted Answer

Power

Answer

Legitimacy

Answer

Sovereignty

Answer

Authority

Question 37

Which of the following describes the ultimate authority of a state to govern itself without external interference?

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty

Answer

Power

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Authority

Question 38

The belief that a government has the right to rule is referred to as:

Accepted Answer

Legitimacy

Answer

Authority

Answer

Power

Answer

Sovereignty

Question 39

Which of the following refers to the organized political community that exercises sovereignty over a specific territory?

Accepted Answer

State

Answer

Political system

Answer

Nation

Answer

Government

Question 40

When a government has the consent of the governed to rule, it is known as:

Accepted Answer

Democratic legitimacy

Answer

Traditional legitimacy

Answer

Legal legitimacy

Answer

Charismatic legitimacy

Question 41

The term used to describe a system where power is centralized in the hands of a single ruler is:

Accepted Answer

Autocracy

Answer

Oligarchy

Answer

Democracy

Question 42

A characteristic of a federal system is:

Accepted Answer

Power is shared between central and regional governments.

Answer

Power is concentrated in the hands of the central government.

Answer

Power is decentralized to local governments.

Question 43

The primary objective of political science is to:

Accepted Answer

Study the distribution, exercise, and impact of power in society

Answer

Solve political issues

Answer

Promote specific political ideologies

Question 44

Which concept is not considered fundamental to political science?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Power

Answer

Legitimacy

Answer

Authority

Question 45

What term describes the ability to make others do what you want, even if they are unwilling?

Accepted Answer

Power

Answer

Influence

Answer

Coercion

Answer

Manipulation

Question 46

Which characteristic defines legitimate authority?

Accepted Answer

It is widely perceived as rightful and justified.

Answer

It is based solely on physical force.

Answer

It is exercised in an arbitrary and capricious manner.

Answer

It requires the explicit consent of the governed.

Question 47

What is the term for the ultimate and unchallengeable power within a political system?

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty

Answer

Supremacy

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Hegemony

Question 48

Which of the following is a primary function of the state?

Accepted Answer

Providing essential public goods and services.

Answer

Controlling the entire economy.

Answer

Establishing and enforcing religious institutions.

Answer

Promoting individual liberty above all else.

Question 49

What process allows citizens to participate in political decision-making?

Accepted Answer

Political participation

Answer

Political indoctrination

Answer

Political ideology

Answer

Political debate

Question 50

Which political ideology emphasizes individual liberty, limited government intervention, and free markets?

Accepted Answer

Liberalism

Answer

Marxism

Answer

Socialism

Answer

Conservatism

Question 51

What group of people typically wields power in a political system?

Accepted Answer

Political elite

Answer

Interest groups

Answer

Religious leaders

Answer

General population

Question 52

Which characteristic is essential to a democratic political system?

Accepted Answer

Free and fair elections

Answer

Suppression of dissenting opinions

Answer

Lack of accountability for those in power

Answer

Absolute rule by a single leader

Question 53

What is the field of study that examines the distribution and effects of power in society called?

Accepted Answer

Political sociology

Answer

Political psychology

Answer

International relations

Answer

Comparative politics