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CLEP Political Science

Subjects : clep, political-science
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. The rules about making the rules - often embodied in a constitution.






2. You see a puzzle - You come up with a potential explanation (a 'theory') - You test it with evidence (data drawn from the 5 senses) - You share the results with others and get their feedback - Repeat steps 2 through 4 until you publish






3. Also known as interpersonal trust & tolerance






4. A systematic study of the structures of two or more political systems (such as those of Britain and the People's Republic of China) to achieve an understanding of how different societies manage the realities of governing. Also considered are politica






5. Use of method of inference to create generalizeable explanations






6. The organized study of government and politics. It borrows from the related disciplines of history - philosophy - sociology - economics - and law.






7. A formal document that sets up the basic rules of the political game






8. State of nature (collective action problem) - Hobbes' solution: the social contract






9. A consideration of how nations interact with each other within the frameworks of law - diplomacy - and international organizations such as the United Nations.






10. A historical exploration of the major contributions to political thought from the ancient Greeks to the contemporary theorists. It also involves the philosophical and speculative consideration of the political world.






11. In social movements - rational choice and culture come together - Culture: the sense of a righteous - popular will that has been subverted ('framing'/'grievance') - Motivates collective action - But also determines the choice of organization and tact






12. The use of force by states or non-state actors to achieve political goals






13. monopoly over the legitimate use of force






14. Public vs. private goods - Non-exclusivity. The owner can't deny access - Inexhaustability. The good is never used up - Jointness of supply. Its existence depends on our combined contribution; truly 'collective' - Free riding. We generally fail to co






15. A government with a one house legislature.






16. (Voluntary) allocation (production and distribution) of goods and services






17. Selective incentives - Small group size - Social (solidary) incentives - Homogeneity - Others? Duty and altruism? Love?






18. when you must get a minimum percent of votes to have your votes count or (sometimes) to retain your party registration






19. A basic plan that outlines the structure and functions of the national government. Clearly rooted in Western political thought - it sets limits on government and protects both property and individual rights.






20. Identities are malleable - and anything can become politicized. Struggles to explain fundamental patterns in political identity or their grasp on our souls. Can't really explain which identities become politicized either






21. America's two ideologies (Liberal and Conservative) are two versions of classic liberalism






22. 19th - in the United States and Western Europe.






23. it works better in the long run - less risk/variability






24. A consciously derived - coherent set of beliefs that offers a comprehensive political program






25. Monarchies - Single-party regimes - Military regimes - Oligarchies - Theocracies - Personalistic regimes






26. The mathematical formula used to allocate the seats according to the vote - Plurality or 'first-past-the-post' - various PR formulas - such as D'Hondt - largest remainders - St. Lague - etc.






27. No or low citizen accountability ('subjects' rather than 'citizens') - Reciprocal relationship between leader and selectorate - Totalitarianism vs. authoritarianism






28. Historical origins. A response to the old feudal order and the rise of modern capitalism - 'The highest good of society [is] the ability of the members of that society to develop their individual capacities to the fullest extent' (p. 26) One of the 3






29. The making of collectively binding decisions






30. A political system controlled by rulers who deny popular participation in government






31. Charismatic - Rational-legal - Traditional/patrimonial






32. Regime where the rulers are accountable to the ruled.






33. Process tracing through case studies. Requires a well-developed theory and minute examination ('process tracing')






34. Think of this as gender as outcome; what factors - esp. political ones - lead to changes in gender roles? Key finding: politics does matter - especially who has an organized voice. Formal rules - number/identity of parties - etc.






35. Force + Legitimacy






36. The identities that can become political are those formed very early in life or perhaps vaguely racial/genetic. Struggles to explain (rapid) cultural change - or which identities become politicized






37. how many seats are allotted to each electoral district






38. Hard to amass resources (money and information) - Short-lived - The dilemma of formalization






39. Situation of stability - no party has incentive and ability to undermine the regime (Causes: cultural or economice - or military culture) - (Int'l Factors: U.S. foreign policy - Soviet foreign policy - Changes to Catholic doctrine - EU accession - G






40. Number of Parties 2 - Constitutional Review: Parliamentary supremacy - Number of chambers: Unicameral/weak bicameral - Federalism: Unitary






41. A political organization that primarily uses lobbying - Currency/instrument: money - information - numbers






42. Warfare and military technology - Economic: development of trade and manufacturing and new financial/fiscal instruments - Cultural: Enlightenment - (There are also Environmental/geographic factors)






43. Situation where all fully qualified citizens have an equal say






44. Process or moment of changing from one regime type to another Ex: Arab Springs (Causes: cultural or economice - or military culture) - (int'l factors: U.S. foreign policy - Soviet foreign policy - Changes to Catholic doctrine - EU accession - Globali






45. Hypotheses based on what has been observed.






46. Energy or righteous zeal wins large numbers of participants - Nimble in framing issues and changing tactics






47. An organization that seeks elective office - Currency/instrument: votes






48. Political parties - Interest groups - Social movements






49. Describes the principal characteristics of what has been studied.






50. Efficiency vs. representativeness

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