2.1 - Political Theory Quiz

What is a political theory according to Blackwell’s Encyclopedia of Political Thought?

• A random reflection on government

• Systematic reflection on the nature and purposes of government

• An untestable proposition about politics

• A hypothesis about social behavior

Which of the following philosophers is associated with the democratic tradition?

• Karl Marx

• Rousseau

• Plato

• Aristotle

What does normative theory in political philosophy do?

• Observes political behavior

• Explains the nature of government

• Prescribes how things ought to be

• Describes how things are

Who is known for the concept of the philosopher king?

• Socrates

• Plato

• Confucius

• Aristotle

What was a major flaw in the Roman Republic's system of government?

• Too few checks on power

• Too many checks and balances

• Lack of elected officials

• Absence of a legal system

Which philosopher believed in a balanced constitution combining elements of monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy?

• Rousseau

• Aristotle

• Confucius

• Plato

What is the main idea behind the anarchic tradition in political theory?

• Some people need to be taught to rule

• People should govern themselves

• Government is the problem, not the solution

• Institutions should be preserved

What was Confucius' approach to politics?

• Support for authoritarian rule

• Advocacy for anarchism

• Promotion of democracy

• Emphasis on order, tradition, and respect

What did Aristotle believe about the wisdom of the masses?

• They are less wise than any subset of the citizenry

• They are always right

• They are likely to be slightly less crazy than any subset of the citizenry

• They should not participate in government

What was a significant impact of the Athenian ideas and literature?

• They had no impact on modern politics

• They influenced the development of Europe and the western world

• They were only relevant in ancient Greece

• They promoted the idea of monarchy