Bachelor of Social Science Political Science Flashcards
7 cards from real BSocSc Bachelor of Social Science practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Bachelor of Social Science Political Science flashcards as text
What does the concept of 'civil society' refer to in political science?
Answer: The realm of voluntary associations, NGOs, and citizen groups operating between state and market
Civil society refers to the sphere of organized social life—voluntary associations, NGOs, unions, religious groups—distinct from the state and the market, which serves as a check on government power.
Which term describes a government controlled by a small group of elites who rule for their own benefit rather than the public good?
Answer: Oligarchy
An oligarchy is a form of government where power is concentrated in the hands of a small, privileged group who typically use it to advance their own interests.
What is 'agenda-setting' in the context of media and politics?
Answer: The media's ability to influence what issues the public considers most important
Agenda-setting theory, developed by McCombs and Shaw, holds that media don't tell people what to think but do influence what issues people think about.
Which constitutional mechanism allows the U.S. Congress to remove a president from office?
Answer: Impeachment and Senate conviction
Impeachment by the House followed by trial and conviction by two-thirds of the Senate is the constitutional process for removing a U.S. president from office.
What distinguishes 'authoritarian' regimes from 'totalitarian' regimes in comparative politics?
Answer: Totalitarian regimes seek to control all aspects of public and private life; authoritarian regimes primarily suppress political opposition
Totalitarian regimes, like Nazi Germany or Stalinist USSR, seek total control over society including private life and ideology, while authoritarian regimes mainly suppress political competition but tolerate more private autonomy.
Which concept from Robert Putnam's research describes the networks, norms, and trust that facilitate cooperation for mutual benefit in a community?
Answer: Social capital
Social capital refers to the features of social organization—networks, norms of reciprocity, and trust—that enable individuals to act collectively more effectively.
What is the significance of the 'Westphalian system' in international relations?
Answer: It created the principle of state sovereignty and non-interference in domestic affairs
The Peace of Westphalia (1648) is considered the foundation of the modern state system, establishing the principles of territorial sovereignty and non-interference in other states' internal affairs.