Political Science Basics
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary challenge in understanding corruption?

  • Its relationship with government effectiveness
  • Its impact on political legitimacy
  • Its variation in scale and scope (correct)
  • Measuring its effectiveness
  • What determines the legitimacy of a system of rule?

  • Control of corruption
  • Free and fair elections (correct)
  • The rule of law
  • Government effectiveness
  • What do recent studies suggest is a key factor in explaining political legitimacy?

  • Electoral participation
  • Performance or output measures (correct)
  • Democratic institutions
  • Government accountability
  • Why do many democratic countries struggle with corruption?

    <p>Lack of accountability mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a surprising phenomenon in many democratic countries?

    <p>Corrupt politicians are often re-elected</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What has been successful in promoting clean government in some regions?

    <p>Political parties that mobilize on a clean government</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a limitation of democratic systems in addressing corruption?

    <p>Accountability mechanisms do not work properly</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge in democratizing countries?

    <p>Combating corruption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential consequence of corruption in democratic systems?

    <p>Erosion of political legitimacy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor in explaining the persistence of corruption in democratic countries?

    <p>Lack of accountability mechanisms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a crucial aspect of ideologies in the context of mobilizing people?

    <p>They are crucial for mobilizing people</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the international environment in the context of politics?

    <p>It is crucial for understanding the dynamics of individual countries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is it problematic to analyze political events using only one approach?

    <p>It oversimplifies the complexities of the event</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between institutions and individuals in the context of politics?

    <p>Institutions do not act, individuals within them act</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key aspect of human nature in the context of politics?

    <p>Humans are political animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary characteristic of a system with rational-legal authority?

    <p>Authority is based on respect for the rules</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aristotle, what is unique about human nature?

    <p>Humans are by nature social and political animals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of politics, according to the text?

    <p>The exercise of the power of making binding decisions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the ability to achieve one's goals despite resistance, according to Weber?

    <p>Power</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the study of politics that compares and analyzes different political systems?

    <p>Comparative Politics</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor in explaining the prosperity of certain countries?

    <p>Strong informal institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is often overlooked in the study of political institutions?

    <p>The importance of informal institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key challenge in addressing the problem of unclean water in developing countries?

    <p>Weak judicial and administrative institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key factor in determining the success of a society?

    <p>Quality of political institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an informal institution that has a significant impact on human well-being?

    <p>Social trust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key role of researchers in comparative politics in relation to public policy issues?

    <p>Speaking truth to power and informing the elite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a problem in comparative politics, hindering researchers from engaging with public policy issues?

    <p>Fear of being seen as normative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential solution to paternalism, as described by Sen and Laureate?

    <p>Providing individuals with a set of basic resources to equalize opportunities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a potential goal of comparative politics research in informing the general public?

    <p>Providing answers to questions like 'Why does country Z have higher economic growth?'</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a role of comparative politics in informing the elite?

    <p>Advising on how to win elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the concept of authority, as described by Weber, relate to the idea of power in the context of politics?

    <p>According to Weber, authority is the ability to achieve one's goals despite resistance, which is closely tied to the concept of power, as it involves the ability to force others to do things they would not otherwise do.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of Aristotle's claim that humans are 'political animals' in the context of understanding institutions and politics?

    <p>Aristotle's claim suggests that humans have a natural inclination to live in societies and develop political systems, implying that institutions are an inherent part of human nature and politics.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal authority differ in their approach to decision-making and power structures?

    <p>Traditional authority is based on respect for tradition and habits, charismatic authority rests on the personality of the ruler, and rational-legal authority is based on respect for the rules, each with its own approach to decision-making and power structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of sanctions in supporting the authoritative decisions made by governments?

    <p>Sanctions provide the means to enforce compliance with authoritative decisions, making them binding and giving the government the power to make decisions that are effective.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does the concept of comparative politics, as a subfield of political science, contribute to our understanding of public policy making and institutional power structures?

    <p>Comparative politics provides a framework for analyzing and comparing different political systems, allowing for a deeper understanding of public policy making and institutional power structures across different contexts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of the idea that 'man and woman are political animals' on our understanding of human nature and its role in shaping political outcomes?

    <p>It suggests that humans have an inherent inclination towards political engagement and that political behavior is an essential aspect of human nature, influencing the way we interact with institutions and respond to policy decisions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do institutions and individuals interact in the context of policy making, and what are the implications of this interaction for political outcomes?

    <p>Institutions provide a framework for policy making, while individuals within these institutions act to shape policy decisions. This interaction can lead to a range of outcomes, including the creation of social norms, the distribution of power, and the implementation of policy ideas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the international environment in shaping policy decisions, and how do international institutions influence national policy making?

    <p>The international environment plays a crucial role in shaping policy decisions, as international institutions and agreements can influence national policy making, set standards, and provide a framework for cooperation. This can have a profound impact on domestic policy decisions and outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do ideologies, such as communism and fascism, influence political mobilization, and what are the implications of these ideologies for policy making?

    <p>Ideologies can mobilize people by providing a shared sense of purpose and identity, influencing policy decisions and shaping political outcomes. These ideologies can have a profound impact on policy making, as they can lead to the creation of social norms and the distribution of power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the limitation of using a single approach to analyze political events, and how can a multidimensional approach provide a more comprehensive understanding of politics?

    <p>Using a single approach can be detrimental, as it fails to capture the complexity of political events. A multidimensional approach, which considers multiple factors, such as institutions, individuals, and ideologies, can provide a more comprehensive understanding of politics and its outcomes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary explanation for the prosperity of certain countries, according to the institutional turn?

    <p>The quality of their political institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of social trust in the context of human well-being, according to the text?

    <p>It has a strong impact on human well-being</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main challenge in addressing the problem of unclean water in developing countries, according to the text?

    <p>The lack of supervision and corruption in the public sector, stemming from ineffective judicial and administrative institutions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between formal and informal institutions, according to North's new institutionalism?

    <p>Formal institutions are often overemphasized, while informal institutions are overlooked, but both are important</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the implication of the institutional turn for our understanding of political power and decision-making?

    <p>Political institutions play a crucial role in shaping human well-being and prosperity, and effectiveness of institutions is key to successful societies</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do researchers in comparative politics play in relation to public policy issues, and how does this relate to the concept of 'speaking truth to power'?

    <p>Researchers in comparative politics play a crucial role in informing both the elite and the general public on public policy issues. This is achieved through 'speaking truth to power' (informing the elite) and public intellectual writing (informing the general public).</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does paternalism, as described by Sen and Laureate, hinder individual freedom and what is a potential solution to this problem?

    <p>Paternalism hinders individual freedom by thwarting individual or company preferences, assuming they are not acting in their own best interests. A potential solution to this problem is to ensure all individuals have a set of basic resources that will equalize, as proposed by Sen and Laureate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the relationship between institutions and individuals in shaping political decisions, and how do these interactions impact policy outcomes?

    <p>Institutions and individuals interact in complex ways to shape political decisions, with institutions influencing individual behavior and individuals, in turn, shaping institutional structures. These interactions have a significant impact on policy outcomes, influencing the direction and effectiveness of policy initiatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do socially constructed norms influence political decision-making, and what are the implications for public policy?

    <p>Socially constructed norms shape political decision-making by influencing individual and institutional behavior, and can either reinforce or challenge existing power structures. The implications for public policy are significant, as norms can either support or hinder the implementation of policy initiatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of authoritative decision-making in shaping political outcomes, and how do institutions and individuals interact to influence these decisions?

    <p>Authoritative decision-making plays a crucial role in shaping political outcomes, with institutions and individuals interacting to influence these decisions. Institutions provide the framework for decision-making, while individuals shape and implement these decisions, often reflecting their own interests and biases.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The government that makes decisions is invested with the power to make them ______.

    <p>binding</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Aristotle, man is by nature a ______ animal.

    <p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Politics is the exercise of the power of making ______ decisions.

    <p>such</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Authority is based on respect for ______ in traditional authority.

    <p>tradition</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Comparative politics is one of the 3 main subfields in ______ science.

    <p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Institutions are a powerful source of explanations, however, institutions do not act, _______________________ within them act.

    <p>individuals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Man and woman are _______________________ animals.

    <p>political</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The sixth I Interactions: Using one single approach can be detrimental, as most of the _______________________ events cannot be fully understood if analyzed on only one approach.

    <p>pollical</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The international environment matters a lot, as people cannot be considered and analyzed in _______________________!

    <p>isolation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ideologies, such as communism and fascism, are crucial for _______________________ people.

    <p>mobilizing</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ of political institutions is the main problem in addressing the issue of unclean water in developing countries.

    <p>quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ turn in the 1990s emphasized the importance of institutions in explaining why some countries are more prosperous than others.

    <p>institutional</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Social ______ is an important informal institution that has a strong impact on human well-being.

    <p>trust</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The text suggests that the ______ of government is a key factor in determining the success of a society.

    <p>quality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    North emphasized the importance of both ______ and formal institutions in shaping political outcomes.

    <p>informal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Comparative politics could be relevant for informing the ______ and the general public.

    <p>elite</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Researchers in comparative politics choose to stay away from ______ truth to power and public intellectual writing.

    <p>speaking</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In relation to public policy issues, the task of researchers is to ______ truth to power and engage in public intellectual writing.

    <p>speak</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A fear of being seen as ______ seems to hinder many from becoming engaged in issues.

    <p>normative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The government is thwarting the preferences of individuals or companies because they are considered not to pay enough attention to what is really in their ______.

    <p>interest</p> Signup and view all the answers

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