Q.1 Which of the following best defines a 'state' in political science?
A community of people with shared culture
An organization with a monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a territory
A government elected for a fixed term
A geographical area with natural resources
Explanation - Max Weber defined the state as an entity that holds the exclusive right to use, or authorize the use of, physical force within a given territory.
Correct answer is: An organization with a monopoly on the legitimate use of force within a territory
Q.2 Which of the following is a key component of state capacity?
Cultural homogeneity
Ability to implement policies effectively
Size of population
Level of international trade
Explanation - State capacity refers to a state's ability to design and implement policies effectively and maintain authority over its territory.
Correct answer is: Ability to implement policies effectively
Q.3 A 'weak state' is characterized primarily by:
High military expenditure
Limited control over its territory and population
Strong economic growth
Centralized bureaucracy
Explanation - Weak states struggle to enforce laws, collect taxes, and maintain order, reflecting low state capacity.
Correct answer is: Limited control over its territory and population
Q.4 Which concept emphasizes the ability of a state to extract resources and enforce rules?
State legitimacy
State capacity
Democracy
Federalism
Explanation - State capacity measures a state's ability to enforce laws, extract resources, and deliver public goods.
Correct answer is: State capacity
Q.5 Which of these is an indicator of high state capacity?
Frequent civil wars
Effective tax collection
Low literacy rates
Political decentralization
Explanation - Effective tax collection shows the state's administrative strength and capacity to mobilize resources.
Correct answer is: Effective tax collection
Q.6 What differentiates a 'fragile state' from a weak state?
Fragile states are ethnically homogeneous
Fragile states are close to collapse or have lost legitimacy
Weak states have strong militaries
Weak states are always democratic
Explanation - Fragile states not only have limited capacity but also face severe legitimacy and governance crises.
Correct answer is: Fragile states are close to collapse or have lost legitimacy
Q.7 The 'monopoly on violence' of a state means:
Citizens can use force freely
Only the state can legally use or authorize physical force
Military interventions abroad
Policing foreign nationals
Explanation - Weber’s definition emphasizes that only the state can use or sanction the use of force legally within its borders.
Correct answer is: Only the state can legally use or authorize physical force
Q.8 Which of the following weakens state capacity?
Strong rule of law
Corruption and rent-seeking
High administrative efficiency
Social cohesion
Explanation - Corruption diverts resources from public purposes and undermines the state's ability to enforce laws.
Correct answer is: Corruption and rent-seeking
Q.9 Which factor contributes to building strong state institutions?
Arbitrary decision-making
Impartial bureaucracy
Weak legal system
Limited education
Explanation - An impartial, professional bureaucracy helps states implement policies consistently and fairly, strengthening capacity.
Correct answer is: Impartial bureaucracy
Q.10 Which of the following best describes 'legitimacy' in the context of the state?
State’s ability to generate revenue
Citizens’ belief in the rightness of state authority
Control over natural resources
Military power
Explanation - Legitimacy is the perception that the state has the rightful authority to rule, essential for social stability and compliance.
Correct answer is: Citizens’ belief in the rightness of state authority
Q.11 A state with strong institutions but low legitimacy may:
Fail to enforce laws effectively
Face social unrest despite bureaucratic efficiency
Experience high economic growth
Expand territory successfully
Explanation - Low legitimacy can trigger protests and resistance even if state institutions function well.
Correct answer is: Face social unrest despite bureaucratic efficiency
Q.12 Which of the following is NOT a type of state as per capacity and strength?
Strong state
Weak state
Failed state
Colonial state
Explanation - Strong, weak, and failed states are classifications based on internal capacity; a colonial state is a dependent territory ruled by another power.
Correct answer is: Colonial state
Q.13 Which of the following enhances state capacity in developing countries?
Decentralization without oversight
Foreign aid without accountability
Institutional reforms and professional bureaucracy
Ignoring local governance
Explanation - Strengthening institutions and bureaucracy improves policy implementation and resource mobilization.
Correct answer is: Institutional reforms and professional bureaucracy
Q.14 What does 'state sovereignty' refer to?
Control of natural resources by citizens
Autonomy and independence of a state from external interference
Democratic election processes
Decentralized governance
Explanation - Sovereignty implies that the state can govern its territory and make decisions without external control.
Correct answer is: Autonomy and independence of a state from external interference
Q.15 Which of these is a feature of a failed state?
High taxation
Loss of control over territory
Effective legal institutions
Strong national identity
Explanation - Failed states lack the capacity to maintain order or enforce laws across their territory.
Correct answer is: Loss of control over territory
Q.16 Fiscal capacity of a state refers to:
Ability to maintain armed forces
Ability to raise and allocate financial resources
Number of government officials
Population size
Explanation - Fiscal capacity is central to state functionality, enabling it to fund public goods and services.
Correct answer is: Ability to raise and allocate financial resources
Q.17 The concept of 'institutional resilience' in state capacity implies:
The ability to ignore societal demands
The ability of institutions to adapt and continue functioning under stress
Strict adherence to outdated laws
Frequent regime change
Explanation - Resilient institutions can sustain state functions even during crises, strengthening overall capacity.
Correct answer is: The ability of institutions to adapt and continue functioning under stress
Q.18 Which of the following weakens state legitimacy?
Transparent governance
Electoral fraud and corruption
Effective public services
Rule of law
Explanation - Fraudulent practices and corruption reduce citizen trust, undermining legitimacy.
Correct answer is: Electoral fraud and corruption
Q.19 A state's administrative capacity primarily refers to its ability to:
Influence other states diplomatically
Recruit and manage bureaucracy to enforce policies
Expand territory militarily
Engage in free trade agreements
Explanation - Administrative capacity ensures laws and policies are effectively implemented through organized bureaucracy.
Correct answer is: Recruit and manage bureaucracy to enforce policies
Q.20 Which is an example of a state exercising high coercive capacity?
Providing free healthcare
Suppressing an armed rebellion effectively
Negotiating trade deals
Running cultural festivals
Explanation - Coercive capacity is the state's ability to use force to maintain order and security.
Correct answer is: Suppressing an armed rebellion effectively
Q.21 A state's legitimacy can be derived from:
Traditional authority, legal-rational authority, or charismatic authority
Military superiority alone
Size of economy
Population density
Explanation - Weber identified three sources of legitimacy: tradition, law and rules, and personal charisma.
Correct answer is: Traditional authority, legal-rational authority, or charismatic authority
Q.22 Which of the following is a challenge to state capacity in post-conflict societies?
Over-centralized bureaucracy
Widespread distrust and fragmented institutions
Strong taxation system
Homogeneous population
Explanation - Post-conflict societies often face low trust and fragmented institutions, hindering effective governance.
Correct answer is: Widespread distrust and fragmented institutions
Q.23 What role does civil society play in state capacity?
Undermines legitimacy always
Strengthens state accountability and service delivery
Reduces bureaucratic efficiency
Determines tax rates directly
Explanation - Active civil society organizations can hold the state accountable and help implement policies effectively.
Correct answer is: Strengthens state accountability and service delivery
Q.24 Which of the following is an institutional reform that improves state capacity?
Centralizing all decision-making without checks
Merit-based recruitment in bureaucracy
Ignoring legal procedures
Short-term political appointments
Explanation - Merit-based bureaucracies increase efficiency, transparency, and policy implementation, boosting state capacity.
Correct answer is: Merit-based recruitment in bureaucracy
Q.25 Which of the following is a characteristic of high-coercion, low-legitimacy states?
Citizens voluntarily comply with laws
State relies on force to maintain order
State has widespread public support
Democratic elections are fully functional
Explanation - Low legitimacy means the state cannot rely on consent, so coercion is used to enforce authority.
Correct answer is: State relies on force to maintain order