MH Political Thought and Society 2

Question 1

Michel Foucault's concept of 'biopower' describes:

Accepted Answer

State power exercised over populations through management of life and bodies

Answer

The political authority derived from biological kinship

Answer

Environmental policy aimed at protecting natural ecosystems

Answer

Revolutionary force arising from biological survival instincts

Question 2

In Jürgen Habermas' political theory, the 'public sphere' is defined as:

Accepted Answer

A realm of social life where public opinion is formed through rational discourse

Answer

Government institutions open to citizen participation

Answer

Media organizations funded by public money

Answer

Physical spaces owned by municipal governments

Question 3

Which concept in political theory, developed by Isaiah Berlin, distinguishes between 'freedom from' external constraints and 'freedom to' achieve goals?

Accepted Answer

Negative and positive liberty

Answer

Civil and political rights

Answer

Liberal and republican freedom

Answer

Natural and artificial rights

Question 4

Jean-François Lyotard's definition of postmodernism in 'The Postmodern Condition' (1979) centers on:

Accepted Answer

Incredulity toward metanarratives

Answer

The triumph of capitalism over socialism

Answer

The decline of the nation-state

Answer

The dominance of visual over textual culture

Question 5

Alexis de Tocqueville's 'Democracy in America' (1835–1840) warned about a specific danger of democratic equality called:

Accepted Answer

The tyranny of the majority

Answer

The iron law of oligarchy

Answer

The banality of evil

Answer

The tragedy of the commons

Question 6

Which concept, central to Critical Race Theory, refers to the cumulative disadvantage faced by individuals who belong to multiple marginalized groups?

Accepted Answer

Intersectionality

Answer

Structural racism

Answer

Implicit bias

Answer

Colorblindness