Chapter 2: Majoritarian Or Pluralist Democracy

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CHAPTER 2: MAJORITARIAN OR PLURALIST DEMOCRACY

SHORT ANSWER

Please define the following term.

1.autocracy

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Students’ answers will vary.

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2.oligarchy

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Students’ answers will vary.

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3.democracy

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Students’ answers will vary.

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4.procedural democratic theory

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5.universal participation

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6.political equality

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7.majority rule

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8.participatory democracy

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9.representative democracy

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10.responsiveness

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11.substantive democratic theory

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12.minority rights

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13.majoritarian model of democracy

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14.interest group

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15.pluralist model of democracy

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16.elite theory

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17.democratization

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Students’ answers will vary.

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MULTIPLE CHOICE

1.When the House Of Representatives voted on President Obama’s stimulus plan, a $787 billion package of targeted tax cuts and government spending on public works projects to fight the recession, the following occurred:

a. / no House Republicans voted for the plan
b. / no House Democrats voted for the plan
c. / the plan was supported by all House members
d. / Rush Limbaugh encouraged the House to approve the plan
e. / all House Democrats voted for the plan

ANS:APTS:1REF:33NOT:F

2.The ancient Greeks classified governments as autocracies, oligarchies, or democracies based on

a. / the fundamental purposes for which the government was instituted.
b. / the extent of government power.
c. / the types of elected officeholders.
d. / the kinds of decisions the government was responsible for.
e. / the number of citizens involved in governing.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:34NOT:C

3.An autocracy is a political system ruled by

a. / a few.
b. / one individual.
c. / the military.
d. / a majority.
e. / a few powerful, wealthy individuals.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:34NOT:C

4.The best contemporary example of an oligarchy would be a(n)

a. / multiparty democracy.
b. / personal dictatorship.
c. / military dictatorship.
d. / hereditary monarchy.
e. / elite interest society.

ANS:CPTS:1REF:34NOT:C

5.Although many countries openly advocate “rule by the people,” much disagreement remains over

a. / whether such a system could ever exist in the real world.
b. / how “the people” is defined, and how those individuals should rule.
c. / whether “the people” are actually better decision makers than the elite.
d. / whether such systems are outdated and becoming less common.
e. / whether non-participatory citizens are included in the definition.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:34NOT:C

6.The Greek word demos,which is the root of the term democracy,means

a. / common people.
b. / power.
c. / participation.
d. / foundation or base.
e. / order.

ANS:APTS:1REF:34NOT:F

7.The Greek word kratos,one of the roots of the word democracy, means

a. / power.
b. / authority.
c. / common man.
d. / rule.
e. / form.

ANS:APTS:1REF:34NOT:F

8.A politician who appeals to and often deceives the masses by manipulating their emotions and prejudices is a(n)

a. / politico.
b. / delegate.
c. / oligarch.
d. / legacy.
e. / demagogue.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:35NOT:C

9.The names of more than 20 percent of the world's political parties contain some variation of the word

a. / conservative.
b. / republican.
c. / socialist.
d. / democracy.
e. / freedom.

ANS:DPTS:1REF:35NOT:F

10.In a typical survey, one would expect ____ Americans to support the notion that the United States should promote democracy to other countries as a foreign policy goal.

a. / almost all
b. / a very large majority of
c. / a slim majority of
d. / about half of
e. / well less than half of

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11.Which president(s) promoted democracy abroad as a major foreign policy objective of his/their administration?

a. / Woodrow Wilson
b. / Thomas Jefferson
c. / George W. Bush
d. / William Howard Taft
e. / A and C.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:37NOT:F

12.The procedural view of democracy is most concerned with

a. / the level of popular participation in decision making.
b. / the equality of government decisions.
c. / minority protections.
d. / the impact of government decisions.
e. / how government decisions are made.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:36NOT:F

13.The principle of universal participation may still be met even if some adults (such as recent immigrants) are excluded from participation if this exclusion is based on

a. / the principle of political equality.
b. / practical or political reasons in a particular country.
c. / failure to understand the political system.
d. / lack of knowledge of the nation's dominant language.
e. / conflicts of law.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:36NOT:C

14.The idea that all adults within the boundaries of a political community should be allowed to vote is known as

a. / universal participation.
b. / political equality.
c. / majority rule.
d. / plurality rule.
e. / suffrage.

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15.A country abiding by the principle “one man, one vote” is practicing

a. / representative democracy.
b. / political equality.
c. / equal suffrage.
d. / substantive democracy.
e. / a “free and fair” election system.

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16.Whereas majority rule is defined as decision making by 50 percent plus one person, ____ is defined as decision making by most participants.

a. / rule by the people
b. / assention
c. / political equality
d. / universal participation
e. / plurality rule

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17.All of the following are principles of procedural democracy except

a. / government responsiveness to public opinion.
b. / minority rights.
c. / universal participation.
d. / majority rule.
e. / political equality.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:41NOT:C

18.In Athens, ____ were excluded from participation in assemblies.

a. / women
b. / slaves
c. / those who were new to the area
d. / males above the age of 40
e. / A, B and C

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19.New England town meetings are an example of

a. / substantive democracy.
b. / oligarchies.
c. / representative democracy.
d. / civil democracy.
e. / participatory democracy.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:38NOT:C

20.The following allows a person to acquire information and documents online, and also provides a medium to register opinions and complaints to government officials

a. / E-government.
b. / the Federal Communications Commission.
c. / the Telecommunications Act.
d. / the Secretary of State.
e. / Fox News.

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21.Why do most democracies give power to representatives rather than directly to citizens?

a. / Bringing large numbers of citizens together for discussions and votes is difficult.
b. / Decisions may require specialized knowledge not possessed by the average citizen.
c. / Discussion of political issues takes more time than most people are willing to spend.
d. / All of these
e. / None of these

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22.Which of the following represents a principle of procedural theory?

a. / Social equality
b. / Representative democracy
c. / Guaranteed civil liberties
d. / Discrimination protection
e. / Responsiveness

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23.The principle of responsiveness requires that legislators

a. / follow the general contours of public opinion.
b. / cast their ballots on the basis of what the people think back home.
c. / pay especial attention to groups that are highly organized.
d. / support public opinion in all matters related to electoral politics.
e. / consider the views of their fellow legislators more than the views of constituents.

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24.After following democratic procedures, a majority votes to impose its beliefs on a minority. This action

a. / violates the standards of procedural democracy.
b. / is consistent with all theories of democracy.
c. / violates all theories of democracy.
d. / violates the standards of substantive democracy.
e. / is unconstitutional.

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25.For the United States, the core substantive principles of democracy are embedded in

a. / the Bill of Rights and other amendments to the Constitution.
b. / the traditions and conscience of the people.
c. / colonial charters.
d. / Article Iof the Constitution.
e. / legislative resolutions from state legislatures.

ANS:APTS:1REF:40NOT:F

26.The basic standard of substantive democracy is that government must guarantee

a. / economic rights.
b. / civil rights and liberties.
c. / social equality.
d. / All of these
e. / None of these

ANS:BPTS:1REF:40NOT:C

27.Agreement among substantive theorists breaks down when the discussion moves from civil rights to

a. / freedom of expression.
b. / social rights.
c. / religious rights.
d. / economic rights.
e. / both B and D.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:40NOT:F

28.Americans, in a recent Gallup survey, responded the following way after being asked whether or not it was the federal government’s responsibility to make sure all Americans have health care coverage:

a. / 70% believed it was the federal government’s responsibility
b. / 70% believed it was not the federal government’s responsibility
c. / 48% believed it was not the federal government’s responsibility
d. / 47% believed it was the federal government’s responsibility
e. / both c and d

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29.One weakness of the substantive model of democracy is that

a. / not everyone participates in decision making.
b. / there is no agreement regarding which policies are democratic.
c. / the government is less responsive to its people.
d. / terrible inequities occur in the wealthiest class.
e. / minority groups are easily defeated.

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30.One of the weaknesses of the procedural model of democracy is that

a. / it does not provide clear criteria on which to judge whether a government is democratic.
b. / its reliance on rules may lead to rigidity and inefficiency.
c. / it neglects the standards of classic Greek democracy.
d. / it permits policies that violate standards of substantive democracy.
e. / too much attention is paid to protecting minority rights.

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31.The American system allows for the will of the majority to be blocked by

a. / a declaration of martial law.
b. / the Constitutionas interpreted by the Supreme Court.
c. / the lack of institutional mechanisms for gauging public opinion.
d. / no means.
e. / majority rule.

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32.A popular election is the primary mechanism for democratic government in which model?

a. / Substantive democracy
b. / Procedural democracy
c. / The majoritarian model
d. / The pluralist model
e. / The integrated model

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33.A referendum is best described as a(n)

a. / statement of legislative goals.
b. / do-over of a previous election.
c. / ballot without true competition for offices.
d. / election on a policy issue.
e. / decision that resolves a legal issue.

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34.A citizen's group gathers enough signatures on a petition to force a popular vote on a statewide lottery proposal. This proposal would represent a(n)

a. / recall election.
b. / referendum.
c. / initiative.
d. / popular law.
e. / citizen's proposal.

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35.Which of the following statements concerning recall is incorrect?

a. / Sixteen states allow for recall of officials.
b. / A specified percentage of registered voters must sign a petition.
c. / A majority vote is required for an officer to be removed.
d. / Recalls are not used as often as initiatives or referenda.
e. / None of these

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36.Although they are instruments of majoritarian democracy, initiatives are often sponsored by

a. / government officials.
b. / interest groups.
c. / members of the judiciary.
d. / foreign multi-national corporations.
e. / small numbers of average citizens.

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37.Voters in California and Maine approved measures that made marriage:

a. / only legal for heterosexuals.
b. / legal for both heterosexuals and homosexuals.
c. / legal between an adult and a minor.
d. / illegal for anyone under 18.
e. / legal for undocumented residents.

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38.A alleged weakness of the majoritarian democratic model is its

a. / reliance on public opinion polls, which tend to fluctuate over time.
b. / reliance on the American public to be knowledgeable and participatory.
c. / insistence that political parties represent the true opinion of the public.
d. / failure to require elected officials to follow voters' wishes.
e. / exclusion of interest groups from issue formation.

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39.Many observers of American politics contend that the majoritarian model is not a good description of our system given that a recent survey that found only the following percent of voters said that they follow news about politics “very closely”:

a. / 10%
b. / 5%
c. / 36%
d. / 18%
e. / 50%

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40.The concept of pluralism rests on the premise that

a. / modern society consists of many groups that share economic, religious, ethnic, and cultural interests.
b. / government should be responsive to the will of the majority as expressed through free elections.
c. / government is always responsive to organized interest groups.
d. / most people belong to interest groups.
e. / responsibilities for participation and representation are best met by elected representatives.

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41.Compared with majoritarian thought, the pluralist model of democracy shifts the focus of democratic decision making from ____ to ____.

a. / organized groups; the mass electorate
b. / representatives; voters
c. / procedures; substance
d. / substance; procedures
e. / the mass electorate; organized groups

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42.The pluralist model assumes

a. / the existence of interest groups.
b. / a decentralized structure of government.
c. / ready access to public officials.
d. / openness to arguments for or against government policies.
e. / All of these

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43.Pluralism is most likely to be found where the government structure is

a. / hierarchical.
b. / rapidly changing.
c. / centralized.
d. / unorganized and chaotic.
e. / decentralized.

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44.The division of authority in the U.S. Constitutionamong competing branches and levels of government has encouraged the development of

a. / elitism.
b. / majoritarian democracy.
c. / indirect democracy.
d. / pluralism.
e. / divided government institutions.

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45.According to the text, it is difficult for a country with a market economy to remain ____ in its internal politics.

a. / democratic
b. / responsive
c. / decentralized
d. / undemocratic
e. / pluralistic

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46.Which theorist argues that a fundamental component of pluralist democracies is multiple centers of power without a sovereign?

a. / Robert Putnam
b. / John Locke
c. / John Stuart Mill
d. / C.J. Chivers
e. / Robert Dahl

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47.A sign that pluralist democracy might not be working well in the United States is the

a. / declining participation of citizens in civic groups like the PTA.
b. / declining number of interest groups in Washington.
c. / increasing number of voters in national elections.
d. / government's failure to pass more legislation each year.
e. / overinvolvement of elected officials in the protection of rights.

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48.One reason offered that environmentalism has yet to develop as a mass movement in the Czech Republic is the following:

a. / Communism continues in the Czech Republic
b. / the Czechs are more interested in economic prosperity than in preserving the environment
c. / interest groups do not exist in the Czech Republic
d. / the Czech Republic government banned environmental groups
e. / none of the above

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49.The idea that the most important government decisions are made by an identifiable and stable minority that shares certain characteristics is called

a. / substantive democracy.
b. / elite theory.
c. / pluralist theory.
d. / the interest group model.
e. / aristocracy.

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50.Those who support elite theory claim that the United States is governed by a relatively small class of people whose power is based on

a. / democratic election.
b. / interest group membership.
c. / control of wealth and corporations.
d. / hereditary titles.
e. / market share domination.

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51.According to elite theory, the United States is actually a(n)

a. / oligarchy.
b. / monarchy.
c. / aristocracy.
d. / democracy.
e. / socialist system.

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52.Studies on decision making concerning public policy issues suggest that much of the elite’s power comes from the following:

a. / the ability of elites to win seats in Congress.
b. / the ability of elites to become governors of states.
c. / the ability of elites to finance candidates for president of the United States.
d. / the ability of elites to keep issues off the political agenda.
e. / none of the above.

ANS:DPTS:1REF:50NOT:C

53.Those who claim that the pluralist model fits the United States better than the elite model point out that

a. / powerful minorities do not win major policy contests.
b. / no identifiable elite wins consistently over a broad range of issues.
c. / in the end, the public at large is the major force in policy making.
d. / financial resources are irrelevant in affecting public policy decisions.
e. / business interests control a vast majority of congressional legislation passed each year.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:50NOT:C

54.Elite theory is discredited as an explanation of American national politics because studies show that

a. / elitism cannot coexist with democratic elections.
b. / there are too few power positions in the United States to constitute an elite.
c. / government and business leaders generally do not cooperate with one another.
d. / no one identifiable group regularly prevails on different issues.
e. / citizens will rally to defend rights they believe are endangered by government policies.

ANS:DPTS:1REF:50NOT:C

55.Studies of the congressional agenda demonstrate that it is characterized by:

a. / an emphasis on legislation concerned with the poor.
b. / an emphasis on legislation concerned with immigration.
c. / an emphasis on legislation concerned with increasing taxes on the wealthy.
d. / an emphasis on business related legislation
e. / none of the above

ANS:DPTS:1REF:51NOT:F

56.In Africa some countries have successfully achieved significant levels of democracy, but many other African countries have been unable to avoid:

a. / pluralism.
b. / Communism.
c. / anarchism.
d. / authoritarianism.
e. / None of these

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57.According to pluralist theory, group struggle is democratic if

a. / the outcomes of the struggle are in the popular interest.
b. / certain larger groups are provided with more representation than smaller groups.
c. / all citizens are organized into groups.
d. / all groups win a fair share of decisions.
e. / all groups are allowed to participate.

ANS:EPTS:1REF:51NOT:C

58.Democratization is the

a. / process of moving from procedural to substantive democracy.
b. / process of institutionalizing the rules of procedural democracy and establishing substantive democratic policies.
c. / act of electing leaders in a way that conforms to the criteria of substantive democracy.
d. / process of moving from a demand to a market economy.
e. / requirement that freedoms and rights be protected by written covenant.

ANS:BPTS:1REF:52NOT:C

59.Ethnic and religious rivals are often more interested in achieving a form of government that does the following:

a. / oppresses their opponents.
b. / provides a separation of church and state.
c. / requires all citizens to attend religious services.
d. / requires all schools provide religious instruction
e. / all of the above

ANS:APTS:1REF:52NOT:F

60.The text observes that the process of democratization is made quite difficult by

a. / economic equality.
b. / technology.
c. / ethnic conflict.
d. / religious conflict.
e. / C and D.

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61.The text suggests that there are ____ forces that may be pushing authoritarian governments toward democratization.

a. / religious
b. / moral
c. / philosophical
d. / ethical
e. / economic

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