Midterm

Question 1

Negative Freedom

Answer 1

Freedom from interference; the absence of obstacles, barriers, or constraints (Isaiah Berlin).

Example sentence: Citizens should have negative freedom from government surveillance.

Question 2

Positive Freedom

Answer 2

The ability and opportunity to act upon one’s free will; self-mastery and self-realization.

Question 3

Social Equality

Answer 3

Equal treatment in social contexts, including race, gender, and class.

Question 4

Political Equality

Answer 4

Equal participation in political processes, voting rights, and representation.

Question 5

Economic Equality

Answer 5

Fair distribution of wealth and resources, addressing income inequality.

Question 6

Distributive Justice

Answer 6

Focuses on the fair allocation of resources among diverse members of a community (John Rawls).

Question 7

Procedural Justice

Answer 7

Emphasizes fair processes in legal and political decision-making.

Question 8

Power

Answer 8

The ability to influence or control the behavior of people or the course of events. Types include coercive power, economic power, and ideological power.

Question 9

Legitimacy

Answer 9

The right and acceptance of authority, often derived from consent of the governed.

Question 10

Empirical Research Methods

Answer 10

Understand qualitative and quantitative methods used in political science research, including surveys, case studies, and statistical analysis.

Additional information: Scientific methods are crucial for evidence-based policymaking.

Question 11

Historical Development of the Modern State

Answer 11

Tilly’s argument: ‘War Making as Organized Crime’ highlights how states emerged through the process of war, taxation, and the establishment of monopolies on violence.

Question 12

Sovereignty

Answer 12

The authority of a state to govern itself without external interference.

Question 13

Bureaucracy

Answer 13

The administrative system governing any large institution, particularly the government.

Question 14

Civil Society

Answer 14

Civil society refers to the sphere of voluntary associations and organizations that exist independently from the state.

Question 15

Public Sphere

Answer 15

The public sphere is where individuals can come together to discuss and identify societal problems, as conceptualized by Jürgen Habermas.

Question 16

Political Socialization

Answer 16

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values.

Question 17

Factors Influencing Political Socialization

Answer 17

Family: The primary agent of socialization that shapes initial political views.

Question 18

Socioeconomic Factors in Political Participation

Answer 18

Education, income, and social status play significant roles in determining levels of political participation. Higher education often correlates with increased political engagement.

Question 19

Demographics in Political Participation

Answer 19

Age, race, gender, and ethnicity can influence voting patterns and levels of participation.

Question 20

Barriers to Political Participation

Answer 20

Discuss issues such as voter suppression, disenfranchisement, and apathy, along with facilitators like grassroots organizing and civic education programs.

Question 21

Functions of Government

Answer 21

Analyze the core functions of government, including maintaining order, providing public services, and protecting individual liberties.

Question 22

Governance

Answer 22

The process through which government decisions are made and implemented. Discuss theories of governance, such as participatory governance and new public management.

Question 23

Accountability in Government

Answer 23

Explore mechanisms for ensuring government accountability, including checks and balances, transparency measures, and civil society oversight.

Question 24

Governance

Answer 24

The process through which government decisions are made and implemented. Discuss theories of governance, such as participatory governance and new public management.

Foucault’s concept of power and surveillance – Analyze how power dynamics shape governmental authority and citizen rights.

Question 25

Accountability

Answer 25

Explore mechanisms for ensuring government accountability, including checks and balances, transparency measures, and civil society oversight.

Question 26

Bureaucracies

Answer 26

Bureaucracies are hierarchical organizations that implement government policies. They provide structure and order in the administration of public services.

Analyze case studies on the role of bureaucracies in the U.S. government, focusing on specific agencies and their impact on policy implementation.

Question 27

Political Ideologies - Liberalism

Answer 27

Emphasizes individual rights, civil liberties, and limited government intervention in personal lives.

Question 28

Political Ideologies - Conservatism

Answer 28

Focuses on tradition, social stability, and a cautious approach to change; often advocates for free markets and limited government in economic affairs.

Question 29

Political Ideologies - Progressivism

Answer 29

Advocates for social reform, addressing inequalities, and promoting government action to improve societal conditions.

Question 30

Political Ideologies - Populism

Answer 30

Emphasizes the rights and power of the ‘common people’ in contrast to the elite; can be found on both the left and right of the political spectrum.

Pew Research Center’s political typology – Analyze how these ideologies manifest in contemporary American politics and their implications for policy-making.

Question 31

Globalization

Answer 31

The process of increased interconnectedness among countries, driven by trade, investment, technology, and culture.

Selected chapters from Lechner and Boli – Discuss the implications of globalization for state sovereignty and economic policy.