Quiz questions for presentation 1 – The Role of the State
Multiple choice
The institutions that make public policy for a society are collectively known as
a.
the political system
b.
government
c.
linkage institutions
d.
public goods
Answer B – The government is the set of institutions, such as the legislature, executive,
and judiciary.
What concept was illustrated by your instructor by the story of the Tragedy of the
Commons?
a.
that free riders can destroy a common good
b.
that our bicameral legislature is better than England's House of Commons
c.
that U.S. ideological battle lines are drawn around the "narrow middle"
d.
that government is an unnecessary burden on society.
Answer A – one reason for government is that every society has its share of jerks whose
cooperation must be coerced.
According to the presentation, what is the main purpose of government?
a. To decide who wins and who loses in a society.
b. To replace natural law with civil law.
c. To secure rights and the common good.
d. To ensure all in society are cared for and comfortable.
Answer C – Governments do many things, but these are its core responsibilities.
In the scenario of the Tragedy of the Commons, what made collective action difficult?
a. Disagreement over the extent of the problem.
b. Disagreement over the solution to the problem.
c. An unwillingness to abide by the will of the majority
d. All of the above make collective action difficult.
Answer C – In the scenario, this is why a cow counter was needed.
In the scenario of the Tragedy of the Commons, where does the cow counter get the right
to make rules and tell people they can or cannot do?
a. The counter was doing what she thought was best for the commons.
b. The counter was doing what was best for the counter.
c. The counter was enforcing the will of the majority
d. The counter had no right to tell people what to do.
Answer C – The only way the cow counter has a right to act is when authorized by the
will of the majority of the community.
Short Answer
What in your opinion is the main purpose of government?
Discussion Question
Can you think of a non-governmental solution to the problem of the commons, a way to
avoid the need for a cow counter?
Links
Perspectives on Government
http://thisnation.com/textbook/whygovt.html