Political Thought MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Political Thought - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 'Enter into a social contract.'

Key Points

• John Locke and the Social Contract:
  • John Locke, a prominent Enlightenment thinker, proposed the idea of the social contract as a means to escape the perils of the state of nature.
  • According to Locke, the state of nature is a condition where individuals live without an established government, leading to potential conflicts and insecurity.
  • To mitigate these dangers, Locke suggested that individuals collectively agree to form a society governed by mutual consent, thus establishing a social contract.
  • This social contract involves transferring some individual freedoms to a governing body in exchange for protection of their remaining rights, particularly life, liberty, and property.
  • The government, formed through this contract, is legitimate only as long as it serves the people and protects their rights.

Additional Information

• Create a militia:
  • While forming a militia might address immediate security concerns, Locke believed that a more systematic and sustainable solution was necessary to ensure long-term peace and order.
  • A militia alone does not establish a governing framework to protect individual rights and resolve conflicts impartially.
• Form alliances:
  • Forming alliances can provide temporary security, but it does not create a stable political structure to manage society's ongoing needs and conflicts.
  • Alliances are often based on mutual interests, which can change, leading to instability.
• Establish a monarchy:
  • Locke was critical of absolute monarchy because it places too much power in the hands of one individual, risking tyranny and the abuse of power.
  • His social contract theory advocates for a government that is accountable to the people and respects their rights, contrasting with the idea of an absolute monarchy.

The correct answer is 'Hannah Arendt'.

Key Points

• The Human Condition:
  • The book 'The Human Condition' was written by Hannah Arendt and was first published in 1958.
  • It is a seminal work in political theory and philosophy, where Arendt explores the nature of human activities in the realms of labor, work, and action.
  • Arendt examines the conditions under which human life has evolved and the impact of modernity on these conditions.

Additional Information

• Max Weber:
  • Max Weber was a German sociologist, philosopher, and political economist known for his theory on the development of Western capitalism and the bureaucratic state.
  • He wrote significant works like 'The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism', but he did not write 'The Human Condition'.
• Herbert Simon:
  • Herbert Simon was an American economist, political scientist, and cognitive psychologist who received the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1978.
  • He is known for his work on decision-making and artificial intelligence, particularly 'Administrative Behavior', but did not write 'The Human Condition'.
• Jagdish P. Bhagwati:
  • Jagdish P. Bhagwati is an Indian-American economist renowned for his research in international trade and economic development.
  • He has written extensively on globalization and trade policy, including books like 'In Defense of Globalization', but he is not the author of 'The Human Condition'.

The correct answer is 'Antonio Gramsci'

Key Points

• Antonio Gramsci:
  • Antonio Gramsci was an Italian Marxist philosopher and communist politician who wrote extensively on political theory, sociology, and linguistics.
  • He is best known for his theory of cultural hegemony, which describes how the state and ruling capitalist class use cultural institutions to maintain power in capitalist societies.
  • Gramsci argued that for a revolution to be successful, the proletariat must establish a rival hegemony to challenge the dominance of bourgeois values and assumptions. This involves the 'manufacture of consent' to build a new collective will.

Additional Information

• Anthony Giddens:
  • Anthony Giddens is a British sociologist known for his theory of structuration and his holistic view of modern societies.
  • He did not focus on the concept of proletarian hegemony or the overthrow of bourgeois values in the same way as Gramsci.
• John Stuart Mill:
  • John Stuart Mill was a British philosopher and political economist, famous for his works on liberty, utilitarianism, and representative government.
  • Mill's theories are centered on individual liberty and utilitarian ethics rather than Marxist class struggle and hegemony.
• Ram Manohar Lohia:
  • Ram Manohar Lohia was an Indian freedom fighter and socialist political leader.
  • While Lohia advocated for socialism and the upliftment of the lower classes, his ideas were distinct from Gramsci's focus on cultural hegemony and the manufacture of consent.

The correct answer is "John Rawls"

Key Points

• John Rawls:
  • John Rawls was a prominent American political philosopher known for his work in moral and political theory.
  • "The Law of Peoples" is one of his significant works, where he extends his theory of justice to the international arena.
  • In this book, Rawls proposes a framework for international justice and offers principles that should govern the conduct of peoples and nations.

Additional Information

• John Locke:
  • John Locke was an English philosopher and physician, widely regarded as one of the most influential Enlightenment thinkers.
  • He is known for his works on liberalism, particularly "Two Treatises of Government," but he did not write "The Law of Peoples."
• Edward Said:
  • Edward Said was a literary theorist and public intellectual known for his work on post-colonial theory, especially "Orientalism."
  • Although he addressed many issues related to culture and imperialism, he did not author "The Law of Peoples."
• Francis Fukuyama:
  • Francis Fukuyama is an American political scientist, political economist, and author, best known for his book "The End of History and the Last Man."
  • While he has contributed significantly to political philosophy and history, he did not write "The Law of Peoples."

The correct answer is 'B, C, D, E Only'

Key Points

• George Friedrich Hegel:
  • Hegel was a prominent German philosopher who developed a comprehensive philosophical framework, often referred to as absolute idealism.
  • His work has had a profound impact on a wide range of philosophical disciplines, including metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, and political theory.
• Dialectical Idealism:
  • Hegel's version of idealism is known as dialectical idealism, which posits that reality unfolds through a dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis.
  • This process is fundamental to understanding the development of ideas, history, and the nature of reality.
• Thesis, Antithesis, Synthesis:
  • Hegel sought to describe the dialectical process in terms of thesis (an initial idea), antithesis (a conflicting idea), and synthesis (a resolution that overcomes the conflict).
  • This triadic structure is central to Hegel's method of understanding the progression of ideas and historical events.
• 'Phenomenology of Spirit':
  • Hegel authored the book 'Phenomenology of Spirit' (Phänomenologie des Geistes), which is one of his most important and influential works.
  • This book explores the development of consciousness and the journey of the human spirit towards absolute knowledge.
• Influence on Karl Marx:
  • Karl Marx was highly influenced by Hegel's ideas, particularly the dialectical method.
  • While Marx adapted Hegel's dialectics to his own materialist framework, he acknowledged the significant influence of Hegel's philosophy on his work.

Additional Information

• Climate Change Mitigation:
  • Hegel did not popularize the idea of climate change mitigation, as his work was primarily focused on philosophy, metaphysics, and the development of human consciousness.
  • The concept of climate change mitigation is a modern scientific and political issue that developed long after Hegel's time.
• Other Influences:
  • Hegel's influence extends beyond Marxism; his ideas have impacted existentialism, phenomenology, and various strands of contemporary philosophy.
  • Philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Jacques Derrida have engaged with Hegel's work in different ways.

The correct answer is '(i),(ii), (iii) and (iv)'.

Key Points

For Aristotle, the qualifications for Athenian citizenship focused on specific social, legal, and political criteria rather than merely residency, procedural rights, or heritage without active civic engagement. Let’s analyze each option to identify which does not necessarily qualify for citizenship:

(i) Residence in a particular place: While being physically present in Athens could be relevant, mere residency without engagement in civic life or meeting other criteria does not automatically confer citizenship.

(ii) The right of suing and being sued: This legal privilege might be extended to non-citizens in some cases for procedural purposes, so it alone does not confer Athenian citizenship.

(iii) Those who are disenfranchised or exiled: Being exiled or stripped of voting rights excludes individuals from active participation in the civic body, which is central to Aristotle’s concept of citizenship.

(iv) Descent from a citizen: This was not an absolute condition though a key criterion, as Athenian citizenship was often granted through lineage, requiring descent from two citizen parents for eligibility. It was subject to certain conditions like senior citizens, women, and children who were not capable of participating in state affairs because of their physical conditions and mental abilities.

The correct answer is Plato.

Key Points

• The book Republic was written by Plato in around 375 B.C.
• Plato was the founder of the Platonist school of thought and the Academy.
• The famous philosopher Aristotle was the student of Plato and the famous philosopher Socrates was the teacher of Plato.
• The Republic book is considered as the world’s most influential work on Political Theory and Philosophy.
• In the book, there is a dialogue between Socrates and various Foreigners and Athenians who tries to understand Justice.

Additional Information

• Aristotle
  • He is known as the father of political science.
  • He provided the first practical definition of political science.
  • He thought political science was a strong and vibrant field of science.
  • He said, "Every man is a social and political animal."
  • His research on these topics as well as others related to philosophy, education, and governance gave him confidence in political issues.
• Machiavelli
  • He often hailed as the 'Father of Modern Political Science.'
  • He was a figure who transformed the way we understand politics and governance.
  • His ideas, considered revolutionary at the time, continue to influence political thought and analysis even today.
• Marx
  • Marx was born in Germany, and attended the universities of Bonn and Berlin to study law and philosophy.
  • Marx became stateless as a result of his political works and spent decades in exile in London with his wife and children.
  • Marx and Engles writes about Communism which he labeled as scientific socialism.
  • Marx criticized the earlier socialist thinker and labeled them as Utopia.

The correct answer is Aristotle.

Key Points

• Aristotle is known as the father of political science.
• He provided the first practical definition of political science.
• He thought political science was a strong and vibrant field of science.
• He said, "Every man is a social and political animal."
• His research on these topics as well as others related to philosophy, education, and governance gave him confidence in political issues.

Additional Information

• Socrates
  • Socrates is considered as the founding father of Western philosophy.
  • He was a street thinker and not charged remunaration for his teaching.
  • He gave the idea of "Inductive Method".
  • His one of the renowned student is Plato.
• Plato
  • He was a Greek philosopher and is perhaps the most famous and influential thinker in the history of Western thought.
  • He was a student of Socrates and a teacher of Aristotle.
  • He founded the Academy in Athens where he lectured and taught.
  • He also wrote dialogues on a variety of philosophical subjects such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, psychology, politics, and aesthetics.
• Aquinas
  • He is regarded as the father of Thomism.
  • His methodical reconstruction of Aristotelianism transformed Western philosophy and sparked innumerable discussions and elaborations from succeeding mediaeval and contemporary philosophers.
  • He also proposed the idea of natural theology.

The correct answer is From Hegel.

 Key Points

• Hegel's dialectic, a cornerstone of his philosophy, involves the process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. This dialectical process is a method of understanding and explaining the development of ideas and the world, where a thesis (an idea or state) encounters its opposite (the antithesis), leading to a conflict or contradiction that is eventually resolved in a synthesis, a new and higher state that reconciles the contradictions.
• Marx took this dialectical method but applied it in a materialist manner, contrasting with Hegel's idealist approach. While Hegel saw the dialectical process as primarily a feature of consciousness and ideas leading to the unfolding of absolute spirit, Marx saw it as rooted in material conditions and social relations. This approach is known as dialectical materialism.
• For Marx, the dialectic was not about the realm of ideas but about the material world and the conflicts within it, particularly those related to class struggle and the modes of production. Marx believed that societal change occurs through the conflict between opposing social forces, particularly between different social classes.
• The contradictions inherent in the economic structure of society, such as those between the bourgeoisie (the owning class who controls the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class who sell their labor), drive historical change. This conflict leads to the development of new social, economic, and political structures in a process that Marx saw as both revolutionary and evolutionary.

 Additional Information

• While Marx adopted Hegel's dialectical method, he transformed it into a tool for understanding and critiquing the material and social forces driving historical and societal change, laying the foundation for his theories of capitalism, class struggle, and historical materialism.

The correct answer is Hannah Arendt.

Explanation: Hannah Arendt, a political theorist of significant renown, authored "The Origins of Totalitarianism," which was first published in 1951.

 Key Points

• This seminal work delves into the roots and nature of totalitarian regimes, specifically focusing on Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia, which Arendt identifies as the major totalitarian states of the 20th century.
• The book is structured into three main sections: "Antisemitism," "Imperialism," and "Totalitarianism." Arendt explores the historical development of antisemitism as a political and social force, the role of imperialism in expanding the concept of rule over foreign peoples, and the distinctive characteristics of totalitarianism, such as the use of terror, the eradication of individual freedoms, and the pursuit of ideological goals at the cost of human lives.
• Arendt's analysis is not just historical but also philosophical, offering insights into how totalitarian regimes utilize ideology and propaganda to dominate and dehumanize individuals, leading to mass movements that can obliterate traditional social and political norms.

 Additional Information

• Her work is considered a cornerstone in political theory and continues to be relevant in discussions about democracy, authoritarianism, and human rights.

The correct answer is Machiavelli.

Explanation: Niccolò Machiavelli, a Renaissance political philosopher from Florence, Italy, is often credited with the idea of separating politics from religion. This concept is primarily derived from his most famous work, "The Prince," written in 1513.

Key Points

• Machiavelli's ideas were revolutionary for his time, as he proposed a pragmatic approach to governance that focused on the effective exercise of power, often irrespective of moral or ethical considerations.
• In the context of the separation of politics and religion, Machiavelli argued that the actions of a ruler should be based on practical considerations rather than on religious or moral principles. He believed that the success of a state depended on the ability of its ruler to maintain power and order, which sometimes required actions that might be considered immoral or irreligious by conventional standards.
• Machiavelli did not explicitly advocate for a complete separation of church and state as understood today. However, his emphasis on the autonomy of political action from religious doctrine laid the groundwork for later thinkers to develop the concept further. He suggested that the goals of religious and political leaders often differ and that political leaders should not allow religious principles to interfere with state governance.

 Additional Information

• His work was controversial and seen as scandalous by many during his time and long after, partly because it seemed to challenge the prevailing notion that the governance of a state should be intertwined with and guided by Christian morality.
• Machiavelli's ideas contributed to the development of political realism, a school of thought that views politics as a domain governed by its own rules and necessities, separate from those of religion, morality, or ethics.

The correct answer is All of the above

Key Points

Explanation:

• John Austin was an ardent proponent of the concept of sovereignty residing in a determinate human superior who enjoys undisputed and uncontrolled authority. He labeled this the "sovereign".
• As per Austin, the sovereign power issues commands to the general populace that have to be obeyed. There is no limitation on the power of the sovereign. So Austin supported the notion of an absolute, indivisible sovereignty concentrated in a single entity.

English Analytical Legal Positivism

• In the tradition of English analytical jurisprudence initiated by Jeremy Bentham and furthered by Austin, the core focus is on the analysis or elucidation of legal concepts based on their usage in actual legal systems. The accent is on clarifying what the law "is" rather than what it "ought" to be.
• So Austin practiced legal positivism centered on explaining legal phenomena through logical analysis rather than moral judgments - an amoral assessment of the origins and purpose of laws purely based on social facts.

Utilitarianism

• The ethical theory of utilitarianism propagated by Bentham, Austin's mentor, holds that laws or actions should aim to procure the greatest happiness for the greatest number. The moral worth of laws and policies is judged based on their contribution to overall utility or wellbeing rather than some inherent or divine ordainment.
• So Austin fully endorsed the utilitarian rationale that would validate systems of jurisprudence based on whether they maximize aggregate societal happiness through pragmatic calculations. His views aligned with classical doctrines of utility.

The correct answer is State.

Key Points

• According to the R. G Getlel, political science is the study of past, present and future aspects of State.
• Political science is a science of state.
• J.W.Garner States, “Political Science begins and ends with the state”.
• Aristotle called political science the "Master Science‟ because it determines the environment within which every person will organize his life.
• The traditional view of political science is utopian, idealistic, and philosophic.
• It emphasizes morals, ideals, and values.
• The state, the government, and institutions are studied, with a focus on historical and explanatory techniques.
• According to conventional wisdom, there are four different types of political science definitions.
• These opinions differentiate political science from other social sciences.

The correct answer is Gramsci.

Explanation: Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Marxist philosopher and communist politician, developed the theory of cultural hegemony to further understand how the state and ruling capitalist class – the bourgeoisie – use cultural institutions to maintain power in capitalist societies.

Key Points

• Unlike the direct physical domination that might be employed in more overtly authoritarian regimes, hegemony describes a form of indirect control where the ruling class manipulates the value system and mores of a society, so that their view becomes the world view, the universally accepted norm. In essence, the ruling class's ideals become the "common sense" values of all, thus maintaining the status quo and the dominance of those ruling classes.
• Gramsci argued that in order to challenge and overthrow capitalist societies, the working class – the proletariat – must develop a culture of their own, countering that of the bourgeoisie, to disrupt this hegemonic culture. This involves developing an alternative worldview that challenges the existing social norms, values, and expectations in a way that resonates with the majority of people. For Gramsci, this was an essential step towards a socialist and ultimately communist society, as it would enable the working class to realize their role in the historical process, thus fostering revolutionary consciousness.

 Additional Information

• Gramsci's theory of hegemony was groundbreaking in that it expanded the understanding of Marxist theory, showing that control in capitalist societies was maintained not just through economic and political control, but also ideologically through cultural means.
• His work has had a lasting impact on social theory, particularly in the fields of cultural studies, political science, and the study of ideologies.

The correct answer is Laswell.

Key Points

• The traditional view of Political Science was first challenged by some the modern political scientist including Harald Laswell, David Eatson, Caitlin, etc.
• The branch of political science that emphasizes scientific methods of study, and attempts to draw scientific conclusions in political science, is called the modern perspective of political science.
• Laswell wrote the books Psychopathology and Politics (1930) and Power and Personality (1948).
• He combined power-related ideas with Freudian psychological concepts.
• He believed that while "normal" people had no compulsion for political position, politicians were unbalanced individuals with an excessive need for power.

Additional Information

• Approach of Modern Political Scientist-
  • They try to draw conclusions from empirical data.
  • They went beyond the study of political structures and their historical analysis.
  • They believe in the modern approach to interdisciplinary study.
  • They emphasizes scientific methods of study and research