SOCIOLOGY 111 EXAMINATION TEST 2026
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Government - The formal organization that has the legal and political
authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and
between the society and those outside its borders.
● State - The political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over
the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals.
● Traditional Authority - power that is legitimized on the basis of long-
standing customs.
● Charismatic Authority - power legitimized on the basis of a leader's
exceptional personal qualities or the demonstration of extraordinary
insight and accomplishment that inspire loyalty and obedience from
followers.
● Rational-Legal Authority (Bureaucratic Authority) - power legitimized
by law or written rules and regulations
-Authority resides in the office, not the person
,● Monarchy - political system in which power resides in one person or
family and is passed from generation through lines of inheritance.
-Common in agrarian societies and traditional authority patterns.
● Authoritarianism - political system controlled by rulers who deny
popular participation in government
● Totalitarianism - political system in which the state seeks to regulate
all aspect of people's public and private lives.
-Relies on modern technology and propaganda.
-Creates an environment of constant fear and suspicion
● Democracy - political system in which people hold the ruling power
either directly or through elected representatives. "Rule by the People"
● (Power and Political Systems) Functionalist Perspective - The Pluralist
Model Theory:
an analysis of political systems that views power as widely dispersed
throughout many competing interest groups.
-Maintaining law and order
-Planning and directing society
-Meeting social needs
-Handling international relations including war.
, ● (Power and Political Systems) Conflict Perspective - The Elite Model
Theory:
A view of society that sees power in political systems as being
concentrated in the hands of a small group of elites whereas the masses
are relatively powerless.
● C. Wright Mills - Believes the Elite Model consists of 3 levels.
-Top Level: Leaders at the top of business, Executive branch of govern.
And the military
-Middle level: legislative branch, special interest groups, local opinion
leaders.
-Bottom level: unorganized masses who are powerless and vulnerable.
● G. William Domhoff - Believes this about the Ruling Class:
-Ruling class = Corporate rich
-Wield sufficient power to constrain political process and serve
underlying capitalist interest.
● Political Party - an organization whose purpose is to gain and hold
legitimate control of government.
-Develops and articulates policy positions
-Educates voters about issues and simplifies the choices
-Recruits candidates who agree with those policies.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS GRADED A+
● Government - The formal organization that has the legal and political
authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and
between the society and those outside its borders.
● State - The political entity that possesses a legitimate monopoly over
the use of force within its territory to achieve its goals.
● Traditional Authority - power that is legitimized on the basis of long-
standing customs.
● Charismatic Authority - power legitimized on the basis of a leader's
exceptional personal qualities or the demonstration of extraordinary
insight and accomplishment that inspire loyalty and obedience from
followers.
● Rational-Legal Authority (Bureaucratic Authority) - power legitimized
by law or written rules and regulations
-Authority resides in the office, not the person
,● Monarchy - political system in which power resides in one person or
family and is passed from generation through lines of inheritance.
-Common in agrarian societies and traditional authority patterns.
● Authoritarianism - political system controlled by rulers who deny
popular participation in government
● Totalitarianism - political system in which the state seeks to regulate
all aspect of people's public and private lives.
-Relies on modern technology and propaganda.
-Creates an environment of constant fear and suspicion
● Democracy - political system in which people hold the ruling power
either directly or through elected representatives. "Rule by the People"
● (Power and Political Systems) Functionalist Perspective - The Pluralist
Model Theory:
an analysis of political systems that views power as widely dispersed
throughout many competing interest groups.
-Maintaining law and order
-Planning and directing society
-Meeting social needs
-Handling international relations including war.
, ● (Power and Political Systems) Conflict Perspective - The Elite Model
Theory:
A view of society that sees power in political systems as being
concentrated in the hands of a small group of elites whereas the masses
are relatively powerless.
● C. Wright Mills - Believes the Elite Model consists of 3 levels.
-Top Level: Leaders at the top of business, Executive branch of govern.
And the military
-Middle level: legislative branch, special interest groups, local opinion
leaders.
-Bottom level: unorganized masses who are powerless and vulnerable.
● G. William Domhoff - Believes this about the Ruling Class:
-Ruling class = Corporate rich
-Wield sufficient power to constrain political process and serve
underlying capitalist interest.
● Political Party - an organization whose purpose is to gain and hold
legitimate control of government.
-Develops and articulates policy positions
-Educates voters about issues and simplifies the choices
-Recruits candidates who agree with those policies.
