PSC Core Political Theory

Question 1

Which philosopher argued in 'The Social Contract' that political authority is derived from an agreement among the people?

Accepted Answer

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer

Jean-Jacques Rousseau's 'The Social Contract' (1762) argued that legitimate political authority rests on a social contract in which the people collectively sovereign.

Question 2

What does the concept of 'legitimacy' refer to in political theory?

Accepted Answer

The population's acceptance of a government's right to rule

Answer

Legitimacy in political theory refers to the perceived right of a government or authority to exercise power, which depends on citizens accepting its authority as valid.

Question 3

Which term describes a political system where citizens directly vote on laws and policies rather than electing representatives?

Accepted Answer

Direct democracy

Answer

Direct democracy allows citizens to vote directly on legislation and policy questions rather than delegating that authority to elected representatives.

Question 4

John Locke's theory of natural rights held that all people are born with which three fundamental rights?

Accepted Answer

Life, liberty, and property

Answer

Locke argued in his 'Second Treatise of Government' that all individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property that governments must protect.

Question 5

What is 'pluralism' as it applies to political theory?

Accepted Answer

The belief that multiple competing groups share political power in a society

Answer

Pluralism holds that political power is distributed among many competing interest groups rather than concentrated in a single elite or institution.

PSC - Political Science Certificate Practice Test

PSC - Political Science Certificate Practice Test

PSC Core Political Theory