Political Science Concepts

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Questions and Answers

What is cession primarily characterized by?

The sudden creation of an island.

The exchange of territory, gift, or donation. (correct)

The reclamation of land from rivers.

The annexation of territory by conquest.

Which term describes the process of acquiring territory through force?

Reclamation

Cession

Conquest (correct)

Accretion

What is the term for the gradual attainment of sovereignty over new land due to natural forces?

Conquest

Reclamation

Avulsion

Accretion (correct)

How is 'avulsion' defined in the context of land acquisition?

Sudden creation of land through natural events. Signup and view all the answers

Which factor does NOT affect state power according to the provided content?

Cultural practices Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes Economic/Fiscal Conservatives from Economic/Fiscal Liberals?

Their views on government roles in economic security. Signup and view all the answers

When did classical liberalism begin, and who is its founder?

1776; Adam Smith Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of an ideology?

Creating consistent opinions based on beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What does sovereignty represent in the context of a state?

The supreme power governing an independent state Signup and view all the answers

Which theory suggests that the state was formed through divine creation?

Divine Right Theory Signup and view all the answers

How does a state differ from a nation?

A nation can exist statelessly while a state cannot. Signup and view all the answers

What is the right of independence for a state?

The right to be free from outside control Signup and view all the answers

In which theory do individuals enter into a voluntary agreement to establish a government?

Social Contract Theory Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the relationship between a state and government?

A government can exist without a state. Signup and view all the answers

What does the right of existence and self-defense allow a state to do?

Utilize force against an aggressor state Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a distinguishing feature between a state and a nation?

A nation is subject to external control. Signup and view all the answers

What is the central thesis of The Wealth of Nations regarding capital?

Capital is best employed under conditions of laissez-faire and free trade. Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of the 'invisible hand' suggest?

Individuals acting in their self-interest can lead to societal benefits. Signup and view all the answers

How did modern liberalism differ from classical liberalism?

It called for government intervention to create a level playing field. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant criticism of the laissez-faire system?

It resulted in the creation of an underclass during economic hardships. Signup and view all the answers

According to Thomas Hill Green, what is a key issue with contracts in a free society?

Bargaining power can be unequal, leading to unfair contracts. Signup and view all the answers

What did classical conservatism emphasize regarding societal change?

Traditions and institutions should be preserved and change should be gradual. Signup and view all the answers

How did Edmund Burke view human rationality?

Humans are primarily driven by irrational passions and need societal structures. Signup and view all the answers

In Leviathan, what did Thomas Hobbes argue about man's natural state?

Man's natural state is characterized by war and conflict. Signup and view all the answers

What argument did Hobbes make regarding government and man's nature?

Life without government leads to a chaotic state of nature. Signup and view all the answers

Who is known as the 'Father of modern socialism'?

François-Noel Babeuf Signup and view all the answers

What did Milton Friedman argue about the free market?

It is the best environment for economic activity. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement reflects a core belief of Marxism?

Class struggle is central to history. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant contribution of Louis Blanc in the context of socialism?

He participated in worker uprisings in 1848. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of modern conservatism according to the content?

Allegiance to Adam Smith's doctrine of minimal government. Signup and view all the answers

Which philosopher's ideas influenced Marx's concept of dialectic materialism?

Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel Signup and view all the answers

What do proponents of conservatism believe regarding the marketplace?

It is the primary means of distributing economic benefits. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main feature of modern industrial capitalism according to Marxist theory?

The division of society into two antagonistic classes Signup and view all the answers

Which ideology advocates violent mass action as necessary for radical change?

Marxism Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of a welfare state in the context of social democracies?

To provide social services funded by high taxes Signup and view all the answers

Which ideology emphasizes the ability of people to establish communities without a state apparatus?

Anarchism Signup and view all the answers

How is fascism characterized in terms of governance and society?

By dictatorial power and suppression of opposition Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines nationalism as described?

Devotion to one's country without a defined approach to socioeconomic issues Signup and view all the answers

What did Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin argue regarding the state?

The state is a parasite and an enemy of the people Signup and view all the answers

What was a distinctive feature of Hitler's fascism?

Emphasis on German racial superiority Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Government and Sovereignty

Government enforces the will of the state.
Sovereignty refers to the supreme power that governs an independent state, covering internal (within territory) and external (not controlled by others) aspects.

Theories on the Origin of States

Divine Right Theory: States are divinely created, rulers ordained by God.
Force or Necessity Theory: States arise from a strong warrior imposing will for protection.
Paternalistic Theory: States develop from the enlargement of familial structures.
Social Contract Theory: States formed through a voluntary agreement among people for governance.

State vs. Nation

A state is a political entity; a nation is based on ethnicity.
States require people to exist; nations can exist without a state.
Nations can span multiple states; states may comprise several nations (e.g., Arabs as a national group across various states).
States cannot be externally controlled; nations can be subject to external forces.

State vs. Government

Often used interchangeably; government actions are viewed as acts of the state.
A state needs a government, but a government can exist without a specific state.
A state's essence remains despite changes in government form.

Rights of State

Right of Existence and Self-Defense: States can use force to defend against aggressors.
Right of Independence: States have the right to operate free from external control.

Territory Acquisition

Cession: Transfer of territory by agreement.
Conquest: Historically involved annexing territory through force; now largely rejected by international law.
Accretion: Gaining land through gradual natural processes (e.g., riverbed movements).
Reclamation: Creating new land from bodies of water.

Factors Affecting State Power

Area and location.
Climate and natural resources.
Size and quality of the population.
Historical events.
Institutions and policies.
International alliances and military strength.

Ideologies

Definition: A consistent belief system aimed at improving society.
Economic/Fiscal Liberals support government intervention for economic security; Conservatives oppose it.
Social Conservatives and Liberals take opposing views on government roles in social matters.

Classical Liberalism

Originated in 1776 with Adam Smith's "The Wealth of Nations", advocating non-interference in the market.
Introduced the "invisible hand" principle for economic functioning.
Evolution into modern conservatism and modern liberalism in the late 19th century.

Modern Liberalism

Emerged as a response to market deficiencies and social inequities.
Advocates for government intervention to ensure fair competition and protect the less advantaged.

Classical Conservatism

Emphasizes gradual change and conservation of historical practices.
Edmund Burke argued for tradition as a means to address human irrationality.

Socialism and Communism

François-Noel Babeuf is regarded as the father of modern socialism; he advocated for economic equality.
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels proposed class conflict as the path to societal transformation, asserting all history is rooted in class struggle.
Marxists criticize capitalism for creating antagonistic class relations.

Articulated by Eduard Bernstein, emphasizing gradual reform over revolution.
Nationalization refers to converting private ownership into public control, forming part of the welfare state framework.

Anarchism

Mikhail Bakunin and Peter Kropotkin viewed the state as an obstacle to freedom and emphasized revolution for change.
Anarcho-syndicalism prioritizes trade unions and civil disobedience.

Nationalism and Fascism

Nationalism denotes intense loyalty to one’s country but lacks focus on specific socio-economic issues.
Fascism is characterized by extreme nationalism, dictatorial power, suppression of opposition, and societal regimentation.
Adolf Hitler utilized fascist ideology to promote German racial superiority.

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Description

This quiz covers fundamental concepts in political science, including definitions of government and sovereignty. It also explores various theories regarding the origin of states, such as the Divine Right and Force theories. Test your understanding of these essential ideas!