Chapter 19 Self-test questions

. Rational choice theories of politics …

assume that individuals are naturally irrational and so should not be given a choice in important political decisions.

state that only humans are rational and therefore nonhumans are not appropriate subjects of politics.

assume that political parties and voters have the utility-maximizing characteristics of actors in the economic sphere.

assume that voters tend to vote for parties based on the charisma of the party leader.

. An example of a concept that is unique to politics would be …

political obligation.

political behaviour.

political ideologies.

all of the above.

. One consequence of globalization is that …

economic crises in individual states are more difficult to prevent from spreading to others.

the proliferation of media institutions and sources of information has facilitated the emergence of a global civil society based on transnational organizations of political activists.

there have been increasing flows of people across national borders in search of work or refuge.

all of the above.

. Methodological nationalism …

considers nation-states as the basic unit of all politics.

assumes that humankind is naturally distributed among a limited number of nations.

sees self-determination as the most important cleavage in the political sphere.

all of the above.

. An example of a continuing demand for independence by a sub-unit of a nation-state would be …

Kosovo.

Northern Cyprus.

Wales.

all of the above.

. Why did the term eurocentrism come into increasing usage from the 1980s on?

Because Europe was coming to play an increasing role in global politics.

In order to draw attention to the fact that many assumptions underpinning knowledge in the social sciences were based on Western experiences.

To highlight the differences between Europe and the US.

As European studies became a legitimate field of study in universities around this time.

. According to Table 19.1 which area of the world will have the greatest percentage of the world's population living there by 2030?

Africa.

Asia.

Europe.

Oceania.

. Which country is expected to pose the greatest challenge to American ascendancy in the coming decades?

Brazil.

China.

India.

Russia.

. 'Subaltern studies' …

proposes the study of low-lying coastal communities.

argues that concerns about terrorism will become the top priority for politics and IR scholars.

rejects the idea of automatically assigning superiority to the 'winners' of development, arguing that we should pay more attention to the 'underdogs'.

proposes that the coming era will be characterized by the return of power of the Church.

. What is meant by the 'golden straitjacket'?

That European states are now restricted in their capacity to create new national laws by the European Union.

The lack of funding in the UK for mental health care.

The need for governments to appeal to international markets and investors.
Incorrect

The water conflict surrounding the Persian Gulf.

Chapter 19 Self-test questions

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