All Free Political Science MCQs with Answers
Every Political Science question in the bank, across all chapters, each with the correct answer and a written explanation. Free and unlimited, with no account needed.
100 questions · page 5 of 5
- A. The accepted right to issue binding commands
- B. The physical ability to defeat opponents
- C. The total wealth controlled by rulers
- D. The number of laws passed by a state
Explanation: Authority means a recognised and legitimate right to command, so citizens generally regard obedience as justified.
Correct answer: The accepted right to issue binding commands- A. The ruler's personal policy preference
- B. The combined interests of social classes
- C. The common good of the political community
- D. The majority's temporary emotional opinion
Explanation: For Rousseau, the general will expresses the common interest of citizens as members of a political community.
Correct answer: The common good of the political community- A. Having resources to achieve personal goals
- B. Freedom from unjustified interference by others
- C. Taking part in every public decision
- D. Following laws chosen by one's community
Explanation: Negative liberty concerns the absence of external interference, especially coercive interference by the state or other persons.
Correct answer: Freedom from unjustified interference by others- A. Prevent harm to other people
- B. Promote one official religion
- C. Make citizens morally identical
- D. Ensure equal political opinions
Explanation: Mill argues that interference with an individual's liberty is justified primarily to prevent harm to others.
Correct answer: Prevent harm to other people- A. A neutral referee above social classes
- B. An instrument connected with class domination
- C. A voluntary association without coercive power
- D. A permanent expression of religious authority
Explanation: Marxist analysis commonly treats the state as linked to the economic structure and the interests of the dominant class.
Correct answer: An instrument connected with class domination- A. Command the largest military force
- B. Possess the greatest personal wealth
- C. Understand justice and the good
- D. Represent the oldest family line
Explanation: Plato gives political leadership to philosopher-kings because philosophical education enables them to understand the Form of the Good and…
Correct answer: Understand justice and the good- A. Equality before the law
- B. Administrative decentralisation
- C. Popular sovereignty
- D. Separation of powers
Explanation: Equality before the law requires legal rules to apply without arbitrary distinctions based on status or privilege.
Correct answer: Equality before the law- A. The highest authority within its territory
- B. Formal membership in an alliance
- C. A large population beyond its borders
- D. Control over international trade routes
Explanation: Internal sovereignty refers to the state's supreme and final authority over persons and institutions within its territory.
Correct answer: The highest authority within its territory- A. Political theory evaluates concepts and ideals
- B. Political theory records election results
- C. Political theory compares cabinet structures
- D. Political theory measures voter turnout
Explanation: Political theory critically examines concepts such as justice, rights, liberty, and legitimate rule, often asking what political…
Correct answer: Political theory evaluates concepts and ideals- A. Absence of state interference in private life
- B. Capacity to develop and act upon one's purposes
- C. Right to resist every form of political authority
- D. Equality of wealth among all members of society
Explanation: Positive liberty means having the real capacity and resources to pursue one's purposes.
Correct answer: Capacity to develop and act upon one's purposes- A. Hereditary ruler of the state
- B. Judges of the highest court
- C. People who constitute the political community
- D. Permanent officials of the civil service
Explanation: Popular sovereignty makes the people the ultimate source of political authority.
Correct answer: People who constitute the political community- A. Government officials act under publicly known and general laws
- B. The executive may suspend laws whenever it considers this necessary
- C. Judges make policy without constitutional limitations
- D. Citizens obey rulers even when orders lack legal basis
Explanation: The rule of law requires public authorities and citizens to be governed by established, general, and publicly known laws.
Correct answer: Government officials act under publicly known and general laws- A. Increase the wealth of the ruling class
- B. Benefit the least advantaged members of society
- C. Produce identical incomes for every citizen
- D. Result from unrestricted market competition
Explanation: The difference principle allows inequality when it improves the position of the least advantaged.
Correct answer: Benefit the least advantaged members of society- A. Religious beliefs of individual rulers
- B. Material conditions and relations of production
- C. Moral character of political leaders
- D. Legal traditions of ancient societies
Explanation: Historical materialism connects major social changes to material production and class relations.
Correct answer: Material conditions and relations of production- A. Protects the privileges of traditional elites
- B. Maximizes overall happiness or welfare
- C. Expresses the will of the strongest class
- D. Preserves the authority of religious institutions
Explanation: Utilitarianism evaluates actions and policies by their consequences for overall happiness or welfare.
Correct answer: Maximizes overall happiness or welfare- A. Concentrated in a permanently elected executive
- B. Limited and exercised according to constitutional rules
- C. Granted to citizens only during elections
- D. Controlled exclusively by the armed forces
Explanation: Constitutionalism requires public power to be limited and exercised according to constitutional principles.
Correct answer: Limited and exercised according to constitutional rules- A. Secret use of violence against civilian targets
- B. Public and principled breach of a law to oppose serious injustice
- C. Routine refusal to pay taxes for personal advantage
- D. Military seizure of government offices
Explanation: Civil disobedience is normally public, conscientious, and aimed at challenging serious injustice through a breach of law.
Correct answer: Public and principled breach of a law to oppose serious injustice- A. Identical political opinions and personal beliefs
- B. Equal access to compete for offices and social positions
- C. The same income regardless of effort or ability
- D. Different legal rights based on family background
Explanation: Equality of opportunity requires fair and comparable access to positions and opportunities.
Correct answer: Equal access to compete for offices and social positions- A. Moral or legal duty to obey legitimate political authority
- B. Personal preference for a particular political party
- C. Economic interest in receiving public employment
- D. Ability to influence government through public protest
Explanation: Political obligation concerns the reasons citizens have a duty to obey legitimate laws or political authority.
Correct answer: Moral or legal duty to obey legitimate political authority- A. Accepted rightfulness of a government’s rule
- B. Legal power to enforce official decisions
- C. Regular participation of citizens in elections
- D. Ability of a state to control its territory
Explanation: Political legitimacy means that a government is regarded as having a rightful claim to rule.
Correct answer: Accepted rightfulness of a government’s rule