POLI330 Week 1 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 1: POLITICS IN OUR DAILY LIVES
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As we read and discuss the definition of politics, let's also consider the consequences of political decisions on our everyday lives. Can you think of examples from your everyday life when you encounter politics? What makes these experiences "political"?
As you discuss this with one another, let's not forget to comment on other people's experiences. Have you experienced similar situations? Can you think of creative ways in which politics plays itself out in your daily life?
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WEEK 1: THE STUDY OF POLITICAL SCIENCE
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The reading this week discusses the role of political scientists and their attempts to treat the study of politics as a science. In these efforts, they build scholarship based on reason, balance, and supporting evidence, although much of this scholarship is based on theory.
Discuss how political scientists attempt to quantify data, manipulate data statistically, and attempt to validate hypotheses.
POLI330 Week 2 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 2: UNDERSTANDING THE THEORIES
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As your text explains, Plato is considered the father of political science. Within The Republic, he presents his theories on the foundations of a perfect government. Rather than a theoretical examination of government, The Republic is written in story form, as the main character Socrates explores the ideal way to form a city.
A largely studied portion of The Republic deals with Plato’s cave allegory. The story goes something like this: You, as a person, find yourself within a cave, chained to the ground, facing a stone wall. You cannot stand, and all you know are the images that play out before you, which are the shadows cast by a light source from behind you. You cannot see behind you, but you know that there are others in the cave with you. This is the only state you have ever known. It is your only reality of the world. Plato goes on to explain that then one day, people come and remove your chains, and take you out of the cave. As you can imagine, you are scared and frightful, and thus fight these individuals as they drag you into this new setting. However, over time you learn to accept the larger image of the world around you and come to understand life outside of the cave. You then attempt to go back into the cave to free others.
This story was Plato’s attempt to explain the world around us. Just picture it: You are chained to the ground and all you can see in front of you is a cave wall. There is a light source behind you, which casts reflections on the wall.
What do you think you would think of these reflections? Could they represent family members? Or friends? What about a god?
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WEEK 2: LIBERALISM VERSUS SOCIALISM
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The termliberalism, when applied to governments, is very different from the termliberal in America. Where liberalism implies a limited government, here in the United States a liberal is not usually seen as supporting a smaller government. This can be very confusing. In an effort to better understand these various meanings, we need to explore the variations within liberalism itself.
So who would like to explain how modern liberalism varies from classical liberalism? In addition, in what ways is classical liberalism similar to conservatism today?
POLI330 Week 3 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 3: DEMOCRACIES COMPARED
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Over the past few weeks, we have had the opportunity to explore the roots of political philosophy. Let’s take a moment to focus in upon the idea of democracy. What is the true definition of democracy?
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WEEK 3: THE DIVISION OF POWER
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As we have seen through our readings, governments differ on where the power of the state should be held.
Unitary systems concentrate the power within the central government and little or no authority is granted to the component areas. In contrast, federal systems allow first-order civil divisions to have some autonomy, while the central government maintains authority over some areas.
Take a moment to compare and contrast the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
POLI330 Week 4 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 4: INTEREST GROUPS
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Choose an interest group from the following list:
http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/GHurst/files/25%20most%20effective%20interest%20groups.pdf (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. Report on the group's: -issue agenda -membership -amount of money spent -political tactics -alignment with a political party
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WEEK 4: ELECTIONS
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Compare and contrast single-member districts and proportional representation (PR). How effective is each electoral system in representing its people’s interests? How do they support the party systems around which they arose?
POLI330 Week 5 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 5: PARLIAMENTARY AND PRESIDENTIAL SYSTEMS
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As we turn our focus to the international realm, let’s take a moment to compare the governmental systems of the United Kingdom and the United States.
Identify a few key differences between a parliamentary and a presidential system. How is the top leader selected differently? How do you think this difference impacts the kind of people who are chosen?
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WEEK 5: JUDICIAL BRANCH
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Chooseone of the following questions:
1. Discuss the judicial philosophy of one of the current nine Supreme Court justices.https://www.supremecourt.gov/about/biographies.aspx (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
2. Discuss the structure of the federal judicial system
http://www.uscourts.gov/about-federal-courts/court-role-and-structure (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
3. Discuss the significance of one of the Supreme Court cases on this list:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/06/26/supreme-court-cases-history/29185891/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.
POLI330 Week 6 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 6: POLITICAL ECONOMY
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Define and explain the significance ofthree of the following concepts:-political economy-Keynesianism-stagflation-budget deficits-trade deficits-balance of payments-Federal Reserve-interest rates-national debt-bubbles
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WEEK 6: GLOBAL MARKETS
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Several countries around the world are transitioning to market economies; the most significant of these are China and Russia. What do you think the impact will be on other countries around the world as these two countries become even more significant in the global economy? What are some examples of this impact?
POLI330 Week 7 discussion 1 & 2 Latest 2017 November
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WEEK 7: ETHNIC VIOLENCE
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In discussing the concept of violence this week, let’s take a moment to consider the following situation.
Imagine a country where religious factions inside a nation want to have their own separate homeland. The government refuses, claiming that the territory in question, which commands the nation’s only source of clean water, is vital to security. Is violence inevitable?
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WEEK 7: INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
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In considering the international realm, let’s consider the concept of economic treaties. Specifically, let's think about an organization like the European Union (EU).
Why was it formed? In addition, what are some of the objectives of the nations that are joining the EU?
POLI330 Week 1 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) Anthropology applies most to political science based on which example?
People are born with predispositions towards conservative or liberal views.
People join groups because they have innate desires to be with others.
Many ruling families maintained power by passing down their authority from one generation to the next.
Power typically ends up with those with the most resources.
Chapter 1, page 6
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) Which of the following did Machiavelli contribute to the study of politics?
Social contract theory
The role of power in politics
The role of wealth in society
The connection between race and politics
Chapter 1, page 7
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) When people base their views on beliefs that may not be based in reality, they are behaving _____.
irrationally
rationally
politically
legitimately
Chapter 1, page 9-10.
Question 4
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) Which of the following best exemplifies sovereignty?
The United States negotiating a trade agreement with Canada
The people of France acknowledging the authority of their president
Israel asserting jurisdiction over the Gaza Strip
President Obama having the support of the people who elected him
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) The notion that you respect the United States Congress, even though it is controlled by a party with which you do not agree, pertains to _____.
sovereignty
authority
legitimacy
monarchy
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) A(n) _____ is an initial theory a researcher starts with to be proved with evidence.
quantify
hypothesis
qualify
empirical
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) When scholars consider various approaches to studying a given topic, they are most concerned with _____.
reason
balance
theory
rationality
Chapter 1, page 15
Question 8
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) Relating concepts in a way that connects them in an empirical manner is the basis of _____ building.
scholarship
theory
power
culture
Chapter 1, page 15
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) The subfield of _____ studies major thinkers and attempts to define the good polity.
public administration
comparative politics
public policy
political theory
Question 10
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 1) Which are both true for most political scientists?
They think practically and seek accuracy.
They seek popularity and are skeptical of power.
They offer single causes and think abstractly.
They are skeptical of power and offer long-term consequences.
POLI330 Week 2 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Aristotle argued that the best political communities would be _____.
dominated by wealthy citizens
oligarchies
formed by elites
formed by citizens of the middle class
Question 2
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Which of the following was of greatest concern to John Locke?
Freedom of speech for all
You Answered
Power residing with the proletariat
The right to property
Voting rights
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) If _____ were alive, he might suggest that poor academic performance in schools could be attributed to a society that does not promote education and provides few resources devoted to schools.
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Thomas Hobbes
Niccolo Machiavelli
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Which of the following would most likely be supported by the bourgeoisie?
Equality for all
A revolt by the proletariat
Minority rights
Conflict for economic gain
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Which statement best supports Marxist theories?
The United States provides ample opportunities for all who work hard.
Similarities exist between economies in both Europe and the United States.
Tax breaks will often create jobs, benefiting the working class.
Uneven benefits to corporations with few benefits for workers led to the economic crises in the early 2000s.
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Adam Smith is most associated with which concept?
Socialism
Modern liberalism
Classic liberalism
Communism
Question 7
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Thomas Hill Green might agree with which of the following?
No one is forced to take a job he or she doesn’t like.
Unions are necessary to protect workers against business owners.
Taxes should benefit business owners because they allow owners to hire more workers.
Markets regulate themselves.
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Modern conservatism adopts elements of which of the following?
Economic views from Edmund Burke and social views from Adam Smith
Economic and social views from Adam Smith
Economic views from Adam Smith and social views from Thomas Hill Green
Economic views from Adam Smith and social views from Edmund Burke
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) Libertarians would like the original thoughts of _____.
Karl Marx
Adam Smith
T. H. Green
Titoism
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 6) _____ is an extreme form of nationalism.
Liberalism
Conservatism
Socialism
Fascism
POLI330 Week 3 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) A(n) _____ is a political system without a monarch.
institution
monarchy
state
republic
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) To Aristotle, the corrupt form of monarchy is _____.
democracy
tyranny
polity
oligarchy
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) Which of the following might lead you to believe Great Britain has a quasiunitary system of government?
Scotland has gained autonomy over some policy areas.
Scotland remains under British control on all matters.
Great Britain has a federal system of government.
Great Britain has a confederal system of government.
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) In a single-member district election, the winner receives a minimum of _____.
a plurality of the votes
50% of the votes
two-thirds of the votes
three-fourths of the votes
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) If the Green Party receives 15% of the vote in a proportional system, which of the following is likely to happen?
The Green Party would receive no seats.
The Green Party would try to form a coalition with other parties.
The Green Party would attempt to gerrymander districts to its advantage.
The Green Party would demand a recount of the votes.
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) In a _____ system, the government owns little or no industry and redistributes little in welfare programs.
majoritarian
proportional
socialist
laissez-faire
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) Judicial activism refers to _____.
liberal judges
conservative judges
judicial restraint by judges
willingness to override legislatures
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) Though rare, a “true” democracy, is a system in which _____.
all citizens meet periodically to elect officials
all citizens meet periodically to elect officials and personally enact laws
popular accountability is common, but political competition is extremely limited
the wealthy almost always have greater influence than the poor
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) Right-wing totalitarianism does not desire revolution; instead, it attempts to block _____.
a leftist revolution
ethnic turmoil
an Islamic fundamentalist movement
a libertarian revolution
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 2) What are features of an all-encompassing ideology?
An official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black-and-white terms, and acceptance of an imperfect society
An official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in black-and-white terms, and claims of a perfect society
An eclectic sense of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in complex terms, and claims of a perfect society
An official theory of history and economics, a portrayal of the world in complex terms, and claims of a perfect society
POLI330 Week 4 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) What group or groups do interest groups overrepresent?
The wealthy and specialized interest groups
Businesses and nonprofit organizations
The wealthy and businesses
The larger interest groups and specialized interest groups
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) Why did the 2010 healthcare reform bill contain no provision for public insurance options?
The insurance industry blocked the Democrats' efforts for a public option.
The people had no desire for a public option.
Democrats were not interested in a public option.
Farmers, heavily invested in the insurance industry, blocked them
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) A great deal of legislation originates in _____.
economic downturns
corporate boardrooms
specialized agencies
secret
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) In countries where _____, the courts become an arena of interest-group contention.
public defenders are unavailable
the rule of law is strong
judges have little power
the rule of law is weak
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) By welcoming new groups into their ranks, parties _____.
rob those groups of their individual interests and concerns
give groups a pragmatic and psychological stake in the overall political system
establish a monocultural dependence on the party system
enhance political hegemony by disenfranchising voters outside of these groups
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) Why does proportional representation (PR) allow and even encourage parties to split?
PR systems assign parliamentary seats in proportion to the percentage of votes in that district.
PR systems designate representation on a flat regional basis.
PR systems allow only a simple plurality to win.
Voters in PR systems tend to be less loyal to their parties.
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) Today’s voters tend to be _____ loyal to their parties compared to the past.
more
less
similarly
equally
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) _____ gives people a stake in election outcomes, and education raises levels of interest and sophistication.
Life in the suburbs
Family tradition
Nationalism
High income
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) What was the relationship between African American voting rates and Barack Obama’s run for president?
African American voting rates rose to those of white voters as African American income and education levels rose.
African American voting rates unexpectedly remained far below those of white voters as African American income and education levels remained steady.
African American voting rates rose to those of Hispanic voters as African American income and education levels rose.
African American voting rates fell unexpectedly below those of white voters despite African American income and education levels rising.
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 3) Why is it that in most of the world, cities have higher turnouts than rural areas?
Partly because those who live rurally tend to feel less enfranchised
Partly because urbanites have higher education levels on average
Partly because people who have lived in the same place are less likely to vote than are transients or newcomers
Partly because men tend to vote more than women
POLI330 Week 5 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) Because they were often at war, ambitious European monarchs desperately needed revenues. Some of them started calling assemblies of notables to levy taxes. In return for their “power of the purse,” these assemblies received a modest input into royal policies. Such were the beginnings of the _____.
American Congress
French Estates General
British Parliament
Swedish Riksdag
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) Countries with limits on government have usually had feudal pasts, which suggests what about the dispersion of power?
Equal distribution of power is the only effective political structure.
Power must be distributed by the working class.
Power should be concentrated among the lower classes.
Dispersion of power is good and concentration of power is bad.
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) In a parliamentary system, voters directly elect _____.
members of parliament and the prime minister
members of parliament and the ministerial cabinet
members of parliament only
the prime minister only
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) Voters receive the most direct representation in which system?
Parliamentary
Presidential
Electoral
Coalition
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) The head of ministry is equivalent to the _____ in the United States.
chief of government
head of state
departmental secretary
premier
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 5) When it comes to electing officials, which factor matters the most to voters in both presidential and parliamentary elections?
Party affiliation
Political ideologies
Money invested in campaign
Personality
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 4) Unlike natural law, positive law uses _____.
the spirit of the law to make determinations
books to reach conclusions
judicial sentencing to determine case outcomes
jury selection to manipulate judgment
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 4) What is the U.S. Supreme Court ruling regarding state obligation to international treaties?
States maintain the right to select which treaties they will observe.
States have no obligation to observe international treaties.
States must observe international treaties ratified by the United States.
States must observe international treaties ratified by state legislatures.
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 4) Who nominates and approves federal judges in the U.S. court system?
The president and the Senate
The Senate and the House
The President and speaker of the House
The Senate and the secretary of state
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 4) Which of the following best articulates the stance of judicial restraint advocates?
Judicial review is the best and only true method of checking legislative power.
The court should practice restraint in cases in which legislative acts are presented for interpretation.
Only the executive branch can restrain the court, keeping the power of judicial review in balance with the other governing branches.
Only Congress should make public policy and, unless a legislative act clearly violates the Constitution, the law should stand.
POLI330 Week 6 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Radicals use the term “political economy” instead of _____ to describe their critique of capitalism and the inequitable distribution of wealth among nations.
Marxism
laissez-faire
public choice
Keynesian
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Describe British economist John Maynard Keynes’ proposal to cure economic depressions.
Keynes suggested infusing the economy with government funds to promote spending.
Keynes advocated for “trickle-down” economic policies.
Keynes argued for stronger stimulus packages to corporations and small businesses.
Keynes proposed to cure depressions by dampening the swings of the business cycle.
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) During the 1970s, critics developed this new term to describe inflation with stagnant economic growth.
Growth Slope
Quagmire
Stagflation
Recession
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Between 1965 and 1973, the percentage of Americans living below the poverty line _____.
doubled
greatly decreased
slightly increased
rapidly increased
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Which U.S. President is responsible for implementing the Food Stamp program nationwide?
John F. Kennedy
Lyndon B. Johnson
Richard Nixon
Jimmy Carter
Question 6
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Which of the following is an increasing financial concern of the Medicare program?
The proportion of older people in American society is increasing steadily.
Every American citizen obtains Medicare on reaching age 65, regardless of class.
Economic inequality renders Medicare more necessary for some than for others.
Wealthy Americans are taking advantage of the Medicare system.
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Many Americans think the federal budget goes primarily toward welfare, which is _____.
absolutely true
somewhat exaggerated
not at all the case
slightly offensive
Question 8
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Compare American and Canadian views on the size of government.
Americans believe the government is too small, and Canadians feel that government intrudes on individual privacy.
America and Canada are similar nations located in North America, and both Americans and Canadians feel that government is too large.
Americans and Canadians generally agree that government should be larger, funding welfare programs such as Medicaid and Food Stamps.
Many Americans believe government is too large, and Canadians recognize that government has a pivotal role to play and accept higher taxes.
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) What was the poverty line in 2012?
$14,505
$17,060
$23,050
$26,750
Question 10
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 7) Many conservative economists argue that some banks are _____, because they would topple the rest of the economy with them.
inherently successful
too big to fail
destined for profit
practically invincible
POLI330 Week 7 Quiz Latest 2017 November (all Correct answers)
Question 1
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 9) Rarely the work of small bands and conspirators alone, _____ are usually the result of system collapse, which permits small but well-organized groups (often military) to take over.
erosions of legitimacy
acts of genocide
dictatorships
coups d’état
Question 2
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 9) Describe what can often happen in a changing society when, during times of prosperity, some people get rich faster than others.
Jealousy is aroused.
Politicians pay more attention to poverty.
The very poor revolt.
Economists become confused.
Question 3
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 9) How is high unemployment relevant to civil conflict?
Unemployed young men incline naturally to unrest.
The unemployed tend to be passive, keeping civil conflict at bay.
Unemployed mothers, desperate for their children, tend to take to the streets.
The unemployed tend to be uninformed about politics, and therefore rarely take part in civil conflict.
Question 4
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 9) What are the aims of terrorists via their calculated acts of terrorism?
To panic their enemies, to gain publicity and recruits, and to get the foe to overreact and drive more people to side with the terrorists
To destroy as much of the economic strength of a nation as possible
To kill national leaders
To kill their enemies, to gain recruits, and to get the UN to overreact and cause more people to side with the terrorists
Question 5
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 9) What is the crux of radical revolutionary thinking?
An economic plan to back up political ideas
Belief that it is possible to remake society
Belief that violence is the key to change
A purely ideological motive
Question 6
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 8) In theory, what is the role of foreign powers in relation to sovereign states?
You Answered
Foreign nations maintain satellite rule.
Foreign powers “keep their fingers” in the sovereign’s politics.
Foreign states have no business intruding on sovereign affairs.
Foreign powers provide financial aid in times of crisis.
Question 7
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 8) Most countries participate in _____, a largely capitalistic competition where goods, money, and ideas flow easily to wherever there are customers.
the world market
free-trade agreements
nontariff barriers
plurilateral agreements
Question 8
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 8) A big war with a definitive outcome often brings peace because _____.
relative power is clearly seen
power struggles are safely obscured
weaker powers are rendered impotent
larger powers rest satisfied
Question 9
3 / 3 pts
(TCO 8) Identify one major flaw in the current organization of the United Nations.
Larger nations maintain greater influence over world financial issues.
The organization receives support from the International Monetary Fund with no real way to repay those funds.
The U.N. has too much power and thus maintains strict authority over international security matters.
Permanent members of the Security Council maintain the right to veto anything they dislike.
Question 10
0 / 3 pts
(TCO 8) Evaluate the changing role of sovereignty in today’s international relations.
International relations have reinforced the notion of sovereignty.
Sovereignty is dwindling in the face of international law.
Weaker nations are losing sovereignty to larger, more powerful ones.
United States sovereignty has weakened due to the threat of terrorism.
