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Question 1

Civil society can be understood as...

a) the whole population of a state.

b) the people within a state who behave in a politically civilised way.

c) a social organization made up of retired civil servants.

d) a framework within which people who lack political authority conduct their lives.

Question 2

Why did the term 'civil society' became popular in the 1980s?

a) At that time there was growing disenchantment with the perceived dishonesty of governments, especially as recipients of aid.

b) The downfall of many totalitarian regimes was attributed to movements generated by civil society.

c) It seemed to offer the possibility of peaceful change in other states.

d) All of the above.

Question 3

Why has the term 'civil society' aroused suspicion in some Islamic states?

a) In those countries the state denies civil rights to its citizens.

b) It can be seen as part of a project of 'Westernization'.

c) The term is difficult to translate into Arabic.

d) It failed to recognize that brutal violence is the only way to facilitate change.

Question 4

A major criticism of interest groups is that they...

a) result in greater influence for some groups than others, whether or not they are widely popular.

b) invariably advocate policies which would lead to higher public expenditure.

c) invariably seek media attention through sensational tactics.

d) are always dominated by people with extreme views.

Question 5

A crucial difference between interest groups and political parties is that...

a) interest groups always indulge in irresponsible 'gesture politics'.

b) they do not seek to present themselves as candidates for government.

c) their leaders are inspired by principle rather than self-interest.

d) All of the above.

Question 6

What does 'corporatism' mean?

a) Some elite groups enjoy privileged access to decision-makers

b) All interest groups enjoy equal access to decision-makers

c) The state refuses to listen to any interest group

d) All key decisions are taken in secret by unelected individuals

Question 7

When was corporatism arguably most influential?

a) During the 1980s, when all Western governments were willing servants of big business.

b) During the 19^th century, when trade unions were becoming more influential.

c) During the major wars of the twentieth century, when governments needed cooperation from both sides of industry.

d) During the 1960s and 1970s, when 'Keynesian' ideas were fashionable.

Question 8

What does 'infrapolitics' denote?

a) Relations between sovereign states.

b) Relationships between key decision-makers.

c) The way in which seemingly powerless people subvert the authority of the powerful.

d) The disengagement of many people nowadays from the political process.

Question 9

A positive view of the political role of the media sees it as...

a) a way of keeping people harmlessly amused when times are hard.

b) a way of promoting constructive 'role models' for young people.

c) much more trustworthy than politicians.

d) at its best, a potential check on executive power.

Question 10

Why might new technologies not be as beneficial to democracy as initially hoped?

a) The Internet is far too sophisticated for ordinary people to understand.

b) People who write Internet 'blogs' often have extreme views.

c) It is very difficult to devise secure voting systems on the net.

d) It is far too easy for governments to control the Internet.

Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 12.

Chapter 12

Instructions