Chapter 03

Instructions

Choose your answers from a-d by clicking the radio button next to each choice and then press 'Submit' to get your score.

Question 1

Keynesianism is best defined as which one of the following?

a) An economic doctrine which stresses that self-interested politicians will manipulate economic outcomes for electoral advantage

b) An economic doctrine which argues that a stable international economy must be based on a 'gold standard'

c) An economic doctrine which advocates state intervention, frequently via public sector investment, to prevent mass unemployment and deflation

d) An economic doctrine which argues for selective state intervention in the spheres of education and research and development to foster economic growth

Question 2

The differentiated polity model is best summarized by which one of the following statements?

a) A critique of the Westminster model which draws attention to the distinction between 'high' and 'low' politics, with the sphere of 'high' politics demonstrating an inter-penetration between the state and business interests

b) A critique of the Westminster model which focuses upon governance, inter-governmental relations, a segmented executive, policy-networks, power dependence and a hollowed-out state

c) A critique of the Westminster model which condemns the failure of the ancient regime to adjust to conditions of modernity, particularly

d) A critique of the Westminster model which distinguishes between the 'internal' and 'external' sovereignty of the British state, noting the diminishing capacity for autonomous action Westminster and Whitehall in both spheres

Question 3

A 'policy chimney' refers to which of the following?

a) The requirement for all departmental action and policies to be approved by a minister

b) A metaphor for the process by which a failed policy is quickly dispensed with

c) The practice whereby ministers and officials publicise proposed policies in advance to gauge public responses to them

d) A characteristic of the British policy-making system where policy is developed departmentally without consideration to its implications elsewhere

Question 4

Which one of the following does NOT feature in the asymmetric power model of British politics?

a) A fragmentation of political power in the British political system

b) An increased number of actors in the policy process

c) A significantly weakened executive

d) A society in which significant inequalities still persist

Question 5

Which of the following was NOT a key development in the evolution of the British state in the 19^th century?

a) The development and growing popularity of collectivist political theory

b) Growth of the Civil Service

c) The creation of a welfare state

d) Legislation in respect of factories and public health

Question 6

An adherent of the liberal paradigm would endorse which one of the following?

a) Individual rights and freedoms, particularly in respect of property

b) Pursuit of the principle of social justice by government

c) The functional extension of state intervention

d) Governments legitimising themselves by reference to the 'general will'

Question 7

Traditionally the British state has…

a) …taxed its citizens heavily.

b) …been open and transparent in its decision making.

c) …rarely relied on detailed state planning.

d) …lacked strong central direction.

Question 8

What is meant by the term 'parliamentary state'?

a) Parliament is deeply involved in the process of policy formulation

b) Parliament and the state are synonymous

c) The executive's control of Parliament leads to a concentration of power

d) Parliament is able to effectively scrutinise the activities of the state.

Question 9

Which one of the following provides the best definition of the concept of governance?

a) A concept which suggests that decision making is no longer legitimised by charismatic authority but by rational-legal authority

b) A concept which draws attention to the changing terrain of, and actors involved in, the policy process

c) A concept synonymous with that of government

d) A concept which stresses the loss of the nation-state's sovereignty

Question 10

The analogy of 'steering not rowing' suggests governments should pursue which of the following?

a) Governments should pay greater attention to the long-term strategic options available to them

b) Democratic control of social, economic and political developments requires extended mechanisms of state intervention

c) Governments should retreat from the delivery of public services

d) The complexity of contemporary society is such that governments can no longer hold long term objectives

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Oxford University Press, Online Resource Centre, Chapter 03.

Chapter 03

Instructions

Question 1

Question 2

Question 3

Question 4

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8

Question 9

Question 10