Q.1 What is the primary focus of political theory?
The study of past wars
The analysis of political ideas and concepts
The structure of the economy
The functioning of technology in politics
Explanation - Political theory examines fundamental political ideas, concepts, and principles that underpin political systems and behavior.
Correct answer is: The analysis of political ideas and concepts
Q.2 Who is considered the 'Father of Modern Political Science'?
Plato
Aristotle
Niccolò Machiavelli
John Locke
Explanation - Aristotle is often called the 'Father of Political Science' for his systematic study of political institutions and theory.
Correct answer is: Aristotle
Q.3 Which concept refers to the right to govern and make binding decisions?
Sovereignty
Liberty
Justice
Equality
Explanation - Sovereignty is the ultimate authority of a state to govern itself or another state.
Correct answer is: Sovereignty
Q.4 Who wrote 'Leviathan', a key work in political theory?
Thomas Hobbes
John Locke
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Karl Marx
Explanation - Thomas Hobbes wrote 'Leviathan' (1651), outlining the social contract and the necessity of a strong sovereign.
Correct answer is: Thomas Hobbes
Q.5 What does the term 'social contract' primarily refer to?
Trade agreements between countries
An agreement among individuals to form a government
A legal business contract
A war treaty
Explanation - The social contract theory suggests that individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some freedoms in exchange for societal order.
Correct answer is: An agreement among individuals to form a government
Q.6 Which thinker emphasized 'natural rights' in political theory?
Karl Marx
John Locke
Niccolò Machiavelli
Thomas Hobbes
Explanation - John Locke argued that all individuals possess natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which governments must protect.
Correct answer is: John Locke
Q.7 What does 'liberalism' in political theory advocate?
Absolute monarchy
Individual freedoms and limited government
State-controlled economy
Class struggle
Explanation - Liberalism emphasizes civil liberties, political freedoms, and minimizing state interference in personal life.
Correct answer is: Individual freedoms and limited government
Q.8 Which of the following is a normative question in political theory?
How do governments function?
What is the best form of government?
What are the structures of the UN?
How do elections work?
Explanation - Normative questions in political theory concern what ought to be, rather than what is.
Correct answer is: What is the best form of government?
Q.9 Which political theorist introduced the idea of the 'end of history'?
Francis Fukuyama
John Rawls
Michel Foucault
Antonio Gramsci
Explanation - Fukuyama argued that liberal democracy might signal the endpoint of mankind's ideological evolution.
Correct answer is: Francis Fukuyama
Q.10 What is the central concern of Marxist political theory?
Monarchy and religion
Class struggle and economic relations
Individual liberty
Election systems
Explanation - Marxist theory focuses on economic structures, class conflict, and the dynamics of capitalism.
Correct answer is: Class struggle and economic relations
Q.11 Which concept is central to the political theory of democracy?
Popular sovereignty
Divine right
Feudal hierarchy
Mercantilism
Explanation - Democracy is based on the principle that ultimate political authority rests with the people.
Correct answer is: Popular sovereignty
Q.12 What is the main focus of descriptive political theory?
Evaluating political ideals
Describing political systems and behaviors
Prescribing laws
Planning government budgets
Explanation - Descriptive political theory aims to explain how political institutions and actors operate without judging them.
Correct answer is: Describing political systems and behaviors
Q.13 Which thinker is associated with the concept of 'justice as fairness'?
John Rawls
Robert Nozick
Plato
Aristotle
Explanation - John Rawls introduced 'justice as fairness', emphasizing equality and the original position in his book 'A Theory of Justice'.
Correct answer is: John Rawls
Q.14 What does the term 'anarchy' refer to in political theory?
A type of government
Absence of government
Social contract
Rule of law
Explanation - Anarchy is the condition where there is no recognized authority or governing body.
Correct answer is: Absence of government
Q.15 Which philosopher wrote 'The Republic', discussing justice and the ideal state?
Plato
Aristotle
Hobbes
Locke
Explanation - Plato's 'The Republic' explores justice, the philosopher-king, and the structure of an ideal society.
Correct answer is: Plato
Q.16 What is the primary concern of elite theory in political science?
That all citizens govern equally
That a small group holds most power
That society is anarchic
That elections determine all policies
Explanation - Elite theory suggests that political power is concentrated in the hands of a small, influential group.
Correct answer is: That a small group holds most power
Q.17 Which ideology emphasizes collective ownership and classless society?
Liberalism
Marxism
Conservatism
Fascism
Explanation - Marxism promotes collective ownership of resources and elimination of class distinctions.
Correct answer is: Marxism
Q.18 Who is known for the theory of 'separation of powers'?
Montesquieu
Hobbes
Rousseau
Locke
Explanation - Montesquieu advocated dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny.
Correct answer is: Montesquieu
Q.19 What is the difference between positive and negative liberty?
Freedom from interference vs freedom to act
Government control vs individual control
Civil rights vs political rights
Equality vs justice
Explanation - Negative liberty is freedom from external constraints, while positive liberty is the capacity to act upon one's free will.
Correct answer is: Freedom from interference vs freedom to act
Q.20 Which concept emphasizes the protection of minorities in a democracy?
Majoritarianism
Pluralism
Totalitarianism
Anarchism
Explanation - Pluralism recognizes and protects the diversity of groups and interests within a democratic society.
Correct answer is: Pluralism
Q.21 Who wrote 'The Prince', a foundational text in political realism?
Machiavelli
Hobbes
Locke
Rousseau
Explanation - 'The Prince' by Machiavelli focuses on practical politics, power, and statecraft, emphasizing results over morality.
Correct answer is: Machiavelli
Q.22 What is the main idea behind pluralist political theory?
Power is concentrated in the hands of one ruler
Multiple groups compete to influence policy
The state should own all resources
Society should be classless
Explanation - Pluralist theory posits that political power is dispersed among various interest groups competing to shape government decisions.
Correct answer is: Multiple groups compete to influence policy
Q.23 Which thinker argued that humans are naturally selfish and need a strong state?
Hobbes
Locke
Rousseau
Plato
Explanation - Thomas Hobbes believed humans are driven by self-interest and require a strong sovereign to maintain order.
Correct answer is: Hobbes
Q.24 What is the primary distinction between political science and political theory?
Political science is theoretical; political theory is practical
Political theory studies ideas; political science studies structures and behavior
Political theory is only about history
Political science ignores governments
Explanation - Political theory focuses on concepts and normative questions, while political science emphasizes empirical analysis of political institutions and behavior.
Correct answer is: Political theory studies ideas; political science studies structures and behavior
Q.25 Which of the following is a core question in political theory?
How does the stock market affect politics?
What is the best form of government?
What is the population growth rate?
How do plants affect human societies?
Explanation - Political theory often asks normative questions about the ideal organization and functioning of political institutions.
Correct answer is: What is the best form of government?