What is politics? correct answers All of the relations, processes, and values associated with the
practice of government.
Examples include: Diplomacy, conflict, elections, foreign policy, economic policy, justice, and
equality.
What is political science? correct answers The systematic and scientific study of politics.
What is the relationship between political science and politics? correct answers Politics is the
object of political inquiry.
What is Max Weber's definition of the state? correct answers Politics as a vocation.
The concepts of the state and politics are linked.
"A State is a human community that (successfully) claims the monopoly of legitimate use of
physical force within a given territory."
How does he define the relationship between politics and the state? correct answers "politics
means striving to share power or striving to influence the distribution of power, either among
states or among groups within a state." Politics as a means to an end
Why is the state of violence perceived as legitimate? (Max Weber) correct answers Because of
tradition, charisma of leaders, legality, and rationality.
What are the three main tasks of political science? correct answers Ethical recommendation
Empirical understanding
Prudential judgement
Ethical recommendation correct answers -What should really happen
-Set standards with an emphasis on values
-Normative Poli Sci.
-Traditional study of politics.
-Quest for a good political life.
Empirical understanding correct answers -Why something happened
-Political reality
-Positivism and behavioralism
Prudential judgement correct answers Political scientists look at a policy and tell you how to
make it better
How do the tasks of political science relate to each other? correct answers Main tasks are
mutually supportive.
-A concern for what is right in politics leads to ethical recommendation.
,-A concern for political phenomena (facts, circumstances, experiences) leads to the task of
emperial understanding.
-A concern for what can be done, leads to Prudential judgement.
What is positivism? correct answers Knowledge can only be derived from observation
What is behavioralism? correct answers The purpose of scientific inquiry is to discover
observable patterns of behavior.
What are the main sub-disciplines of political science? correct answers 1. Political theory and
philosophy
2. American politics
3. Comparative politics
4. International politics
Which of the three main tasks of political science does each sub-discipline perform? correct
answers 1. Ethical: political theory and political philosophy
2. Empirical: comparative politics
3. Prudential: American government and politics and international relations
Plato correct answers -Famous work: The republic
-"Wisdom matters more than money or status"
-Best political regime: aristocracy.
Aristocracy correct answers -the best rule
-a philosopher should rule
-common possession of resources
Aristotle correct answers -Famous work: Politics
-"Man is by nature a political animal"
-Society and political community are important for human fulfillment.
Ideal political regime: Polity
Polity correct answers - Mix of oligarchy and democracy
-Constitutional government
-Limits of power of rich and poor
Augustine of Hippo correct answers -Famous work: City of God
-He was a saint in the Catholic church.
-Set foundations for political realism
-The city of God (Utopia) is unattainable but gov't can maintain a minimum of civilization;
which is a gift from God.
Thomas Aquinas correct answers -Famous work: Summa Theologica
-Foundations of modern constitutionalism
-Agrees with Aristotle: importance of political community for humans.
, -Spiritual guidance also important.
-Saint.
-Natural laws: basic rules apply to all humans.
-Gov't should be restrained and responsible by law.
-Gov't power should not be arbitrary.
Niccolo Machiavelli correct answers -Famous works: The Prince, Discourses of Livy.
-Emphasis on civic virtue (doing things for the greater common good).
-Ideal Regime: a virtuous republic
A virtuous republic correct answers 1. Civic minded people
2. Popular participation in government.
3. Mixed and balanced constitution, competition between parties.
Thomas Hobbes correct answers -Famous work: The Leviathan
-Ideal Regime: government by a sovereign (monarch or parliament)
-People are materialistic and selfish by nature
-State of nature: state of war.
-Every man for himself; self preservation.
-Social contract: people delegate to a sovereign power the right to maintain social peace.
John Locke correct answers -Famous work: Two treaties of gov't.
-State of nature: People have inalienable rights to life, liberty, and property.
-Gov't limited by the contract (constitution).
-Father of modern liberal democracy.
-People give gov't the right to protect their rights.
Jean-Jacques Rousseau correct answers -Famous work: the social contract.
-General will: the constant, long-term will of the people.
-People are the sovereign.
-Social contract: gov't acts on behalf of the people and the general will.
Edmund Burke correct answers -Famous work: Reflections on the Revolution in France.
-The "father" of modern conservatism
-A prescriptive/historical constitution.
-Rules that protect basic rights.
-Wisdom passed down through generations.
-Prudence: slow change, not radical change of rules
-All classes need to be included in decision making.
John Stuart Mill correct answers -Famous works: On liberty, considerations of Representative
Government.
-Utilitarianism: Right actions maximize happiness in society. Greatest happiness of the greatest
number of people.
-Ideal regime: Representative, constitutional gov't maximizes happiness.
-Individual liberty can be restricted only when individuals cause harm to one another.