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Questions and Answers
What is a potential negative consequence of electoral democracy?
What is a potential negative consequence of electoral democracy?
Communist regimes easily adapt to changes in public demands due to their flexible political systems.
Communist regimes easily adapt to changes in public demands due to their flexible political systems.
False
Name one factor that has led to dissent in non-democratic regimes.
Name one factor that has led to dissent in non-democratic regimes.
Better educated and more sophisticated urban populations
Easton's work suggests that the political system seeks to perpetuate its own _____ and balance.
Easton's work suggests that the political system seeks to perpetuate its own _____ and balance.
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Match the following characteristics with their associated political system:
Match the following characteristics with their associated political system:
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of liberal democracies?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of liberal democracies?
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Liberal democracies prioritize the protection of individual liberties but often limit government power.
Liberal democracies prioritize the protection of individual liberties but often limit government power.
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Name one principle that distinguishes liberal democracies from other forms of governance.
Name one principle that distinguishes liberal democracies from other forms of governance.
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The cornerstone of liberal democracies is __________.
The cornerstone of liberal democracies is __________.
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Match the types of liberal democracies to their descriptions:
Match the types of liberal democracies to their descriptions:
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Which of these is NOT a contemporary alternative to liberal democracies?
Which of these is NOT a contemporary alternative to liberal democracies?
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New democracies consistently exhibit strong democratic consolidation.
New democracies consistently exhibit strong democratic consolidation.
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What is one flaw commonly found in new democracies?
What is one flaw commonly found in new democracies?
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Which form of government does Aristotle consider to be the worst?
Which form of government does Aristotle consider to be the worst?
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Aristotle believes that monarchy and aristocracy are practical forms of government.
Aristotle believes that monarchy and aristocracy are practical forms of government.
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What does Aristotle advocate as the most practicable constitution?
What does Aristotle advocate as the most practicable constitution?
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What is a primary focus of East Asian governments like South Korea and Malaysia?
What is a primary focus of East Asian governments like South Korea and Malaysia?
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Islam has no official status in the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia.
Islam has no official status in the governments of Malaysia and Indonesia.
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According to Aristotle, __________ is a perverted form of rule where the masses govern in their own interests.
According to Aristotle, __________ is a perverted form of rule where the masses govern in their own interests.
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Define a junta in the context of military government.
Define a junta in the context of military government.
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Match the type of government to its characteristic according to Aristotle:
Match the type of government to its characteristic according to Aristotle:
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What is a common approach to resolving disagreements, according to the content?
What is a common approach to resolving disagreements, according to the content?
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In Islamic government, political office is closely linked to __________.
In Islamic government, political office is closely linked to __________.
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Match the following modes of governance with their descriptions:
Match the following modes of governance with their descriptions:
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Governments are seen as safeguards against disorder according to the content.
Governments are seen as safeguards against disorder according to the content.
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Who does Aristotle believe should hold the power in a mixed constitution?
Who does Aristotle believe should hold the power in a mixed constitution?
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Which of the following best describes guided Islamic democracy?
Which of the following best describes guided Islamic democracy?
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The six forms of government identified by Aristotle are tyranny, oligarchy, democracy, __________, aristocracy, and polity.
The six forms of government identified by Aristotle are tyranny, oligarchy, democracy, __________, aristocracy, and polity.
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Military governments are becoming obsolete in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia.
Military governments are becoming obsolete in regions like Africa and Southeast Asia.
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Which form of government does Aristotle prefer for the common good?
Which form of government does Aristotle prefer for the common good?
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What is one result of the increasing emphasis on governance?
What is one result of the increasing emphasis on governance?
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The classic form of military government seizing power is referred to as a __________.
The classic form of military government seizing power is referred to as a __________.
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Which mode of governance emphasizes informal relationships and associations in decision-making?
Which mode of governance emphasizes informal relationships and associations in decision-making?
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What is generally understood by the term 'government'?
What is generally understood by the term 'government'?
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Social-contract theory argues that government is unnecessary and evil.
Social-contract theory argues that government is unnecessary and evil.
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Name one of the three basic functions of government.
Name one of the three basic functions of government.
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In social-contract theory, human nature is viewed as fundamentally ______.
In social-contract theory, human nature is viewed as fundamentally ______.
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Match the political theorists with their views on government:
Match the political theorists with their views on government:
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What does Aquinas believe about the state?
What does Aquinas believe about the state?
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Anarchists view government as a positive force in society.
Anarchists view government as a positive force in society.
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What view does social-democratic tradition hold about government?
What view does social-democratic tradition hold about government?
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According to social-contract theorists, government is necessary for maintaining public ______.
According to social-contract theorists, government is necessary for maintaining public ______.
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Which of the following best describes the alternative tradition towards government?
Which of the following best describes the alternative tradition towards government?
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Study Notes
Political Theory (Week 4-5)
- Government is defined as the ruling or control over others. A narrower view defines it as established institutions maintaining order and collective action.
- Key functions of government include lawmaking, law implementation (execution), and administration.
- Government, in any form, is often seen as both oppressive and unnecessary.
- It's difficult to categorize governments due to diverse types and varieties.
- Government cannot be understood in isolation; it interacts with the society it rules.
- Social contract theory posits that governments are needed to protect people from evil and barbarity. Philosophers like Hobbes, Rousseau, and Locke developed this concept.
- An alternative viewpoint suggests government is fundamentally beneficial, promoting the common good beyond simply avoiding harm.
- Aquinas viewed the state as a "perfect community" where law promotes goodness in subjects, even without original sin.
- Anarchists believe government is both unnecessary and harmful. They argue for human rationality, compassion, and self-regulating social harmony. Leaders like William Godwin advocated this belief.
- Governments, despite their variety, aim for orderly governance.
- Classifications of governments have evolved through centuries of political philosophy. A key figure in this development is Aristotle.
- Aristotle's analysis categorizes governments based on who rules (one, few, or many) and whose interests are served.
- Aristotle identified six forms of government: monarchy, aristocracy, polity, tyranny, oligarchy, and democracy. Of these, the last three are deviant or corrupt forms.
- Types of liberal democracies include republics and constitutional monarchies (parliamentary or presidential).
- Majoritarian and coalition governments are additional contemporary forms of government.
- New democracies, East Asian governments, Islamic governments, and military governments stand as varied forms of contemporary governance.
- New democracies often face challenges in consolidating democratic principles.
- East Asian governments prioritize economic growth over individual freedoms.
- Islamic governments often base governance on religious principles, with political office linked to religious status in fundamentalist versions.
- Military governments arise from coups or revolutions, characterized by a clique of senior officers taking control.
- Governance encompasses the different ways social life is coordinated. Government is just one institution among many.
- Governance includes hierarchies, markets, and networks (informal connections).
- Modern governance is influenced by blurred boundaries between state and civil society.
- Multi-level governance demonstrates a move away from solely national government toward other levels, like international bodies and subnational entities.
- Political systems, a newer concept, emphasizes the interaction between government and the entire society.
- Key figures like Talcott Parsons defined the concept of a political system.
- Easton's political systems approach highlights the feedback loop between the environment, inputs (demands and support), the political system, and outputs (decisions and policies).
- The analysis of government within a political system helps clarify how society and government interact.
- Liberal democracies have systems to address popular demands. Mechanisms include competing party systems and interest groups.
- Despite mechanisms for stability, stressors can lead to the downfall of governments, including the tyranny of the majority.
- Communist and non-democratic regimes have less predictable stability, often due to limited avenues for expression or interaction between government and citizens.
Governance
- Governance refers to the diverse ways societies organize and coordinate actions.
- It encompasses many institutions (beyond only the government) that help shape social order.
- Different methods include hierarchical systems, markets, and networks.
Political Systems
- The study of political systems examines the interactions between the government and larger (and smaller) societies.
- Political systems are dynamic processes where stability rests on how inputs affect outputs.
- Systems that fail to respond to societal needs can experience breakdowns.
- The role of 'gatekeepers' and how they regulate inputs (like political parties and interest groups) is important for stability.
- Different systems have varying effectiveness in maintaining stability.
- A crucial consideration is how a political system incorporates input into outputs.
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Description
Explore the complexities of government in this quiz covering political theory from weeks 4 and 5. Delve into key concepts such as the functions of government, social contract theory, and contrasting views on the role of government in society. Understand the contributions of philosophers like Hobbes, Rousseau, Locke, and Aquinas in shaping political thought.
