Government and Politics Flashcards

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Which sociologist saw political conflict as the only means of promoting positive change for the underprivileged?

Émile Durkheim

Karl Marx (correct)

C. Wright Mills

G. William Domhoff

From the functionalist perspective, which of the following is NOT a purpose of government?

Managing international relations

Planning and directing society

Lobbying for domestic corporate interests (correct)

Meeting social needs

How did Max Weber define power?

The ability to exercise one's will over others

Which sociologist studied the power elite, and wrote the book entitled Who Rules America?

G. William Domhoff Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the famous case Reynolds v. Sims?

It reaffirmed the concept that each person's vote should be counted equally Signup and view all the answers

Queen Noor of Jordan is a leader of which form of government?

Constitutional monarchy Signup and view all the answers

Over the past decades, the turnout of minority voters has:

Steadily increased Signup and view all the answers

Kendra believes the U.S. government to be corrupt and thinks that there should be no governing force to control people's lives. Kendra believes in:

Anarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is traditional power?

Power legitimized on the basis of long-standing customs Signup and view all the answers

What is charismatic power?

Power legitimized on the basis of a leader's exceptional personal qualities Signup and view all the answers

What is rational-legal power?

Power legitimized by rules, regulations, and laws Signup and view all the answers

Juan believes that battles such as the French Revolution are necessary for a country to preserve liberty and will ultimately lead to a more even distribution of wealth among a population. From which sociological perspective do Juan's thoughts come from?

Conflict theory Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between an oligarchy and a monarchy?

Members of an oligarchy do not necessarily achieve their status based on ties to noble ancestry, while members of a monarchy do. Signup and view all the answers

Hitler was an example of what kind of authority?

Charismatic Signup and view all the answers

Please define representative democracy:

A government wherein citizens elect officials to represent their interests Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the term patrimonialism?

A type of authority wherein military and administrative factions enforce the power of the master. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following contributes to a lower percentage of voter turnout from those who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds?

Lower-paying jobs frequently have less flexible hours, making time to vote difficult. Signup and view all the answers

In recent decades, lobbying has become a powerful force in the political world. Which sociological perspective would be most interested in examining the lobbying movement?

Symbolic interactionism Signup and view all the answers

Which sociological perspective would consider activism such as Occupy Wall Street and Teacher's Union rallies undesirable, because they force political change?

Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

Communist regimes, which attempt to control all aspects of citizens' lives, are examples of which form of government?

Totalitarian dictatorship Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Political Conflict and Change

Karl Marx believed that political conflict was essential for promoting positive change for the underprivileged.

Government Functions

From a functionalist perspective, the primary functions of government include planning and directing society, meeting social needs, and managing international relations.
Lobbying for corporate interests is not considered a purpose of government in this view.

Definitions of Power

Max Weber defined power as the ability to exercise one's will over others.

Key Sociologists

G.William Domhoff analyzed the power elite and authored "Who Rules America?"
C. Wright Mills contributed to the understanding of political power dynamics.

Legal Principles

In Reynolds v. Sims, the concept of equal voting rights was reaffirmed, emphasizing that each person's vote should hold equal weight.

Forms of Government

Queen Noor of Jordan is a leader in a constitutional monarchy.
Anarchy is the belief in no governing force to control individuals' lives.

Voter Turnout Trends

The turnout of minority voters in elections has steadily increased over recent decades.

Authority Types

Traditional authority is based on long-standing customs.
Charismatic authority stems from a leader's exceptional personal qualities.
Rational-legal authority is legitimized through established laws and regulations.

Sociological Perspectives

Juan's thoughts on necessary battles for liberty reflect conflict theory.
Oligarchy members may not necessarily derive their status from noble ancestry, contrasting with monarchies where such ties are typical.

Historical Figures

Adolf Hitler exemplified charismatic authority through his leadership style.

Representative Democracy

Defined as a government where citizens elect officials to represent their interests.

Patrimonialism and Authority

Patrimonialism involves a type of authority enforced by military and administrative factions that uphold the master's power.

Voter Barriers

Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds often face challenges like inflexible work hours, making it difficult to vote.

Lobbying Dynamics

Lobbying has become a powerful force in politics, often involving clandestine meetings between lobbyists and lawmakers.
Symbolic interactionism is the sociological perspective that might analyze this lobbying movement.

Activism and Sociological Perspectives

Functionalism tends to regard activist movements like Occupy Wall Street as undesirable, interpreting them as forces for unwanted political change.

Totalitarian Dictatorship

Communist regimes aiming to control various aspects of citizens' lives exemplify a totalitarian dictatorship.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in government and politics with these flashcards. Dive into sociological theories and the functionalist perspective on the role of government. Perfect for students and enthusiasts looking to reinforce their understanding of political sociology.