LET Review

Social Science Majorship

Focus: Political Science

Part I: Content Update

In summary, Political science is the field devoted to studying political behavior and
examining the acquisition and application of power, or the ability to impose one’s will on
another.”

SCOPE OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

1. Political Theory – It is in this scope wherein the scientifically acceptable general

principles of the origin, form, behavior, and purposes of the state are explained.

2. Public Law – This covers the organization of government, the duties and functions of
government officials, the limitations of government authority, and the obligations of the
state to one another.

3. Public Administration – Found on the methods and techniques used in actual

management of state affairs by the Executive, Legislative and the Judicial branches of
the government.

4. Comparative Politics – calls for the comparison of the political institutions and
practices of two or more countries. By finding the similarities and differences between
them, political scientists can evaluate the effectiveness of different ideas and the
influence of circumstance on policy. The levels of government involvement and their
benefits or drawbacks as seen by the people are of particular interest.

5. Political philosophy is the study of the fundamental questions about the state,
government, politics, property, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority:
what they are, why they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights
and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law
is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be
legitimately overthrown – if ever.

6. National Government and Politics are specific to the country being studies. Most
political scientists pay particular attention to the government and politics of their own
nation as it is generally the easiest to access and has the most effect on the scientist.
The study of one’s own government can provide a basis of comparison with other
governments or a starting point for a program of political change.

7. International Relations deal with the interaction between the different nations of the
world. International law and organization provide a buffer between nations and
prevent difficulties by overseeing agreements and assisting in the resolution of
problems. Most nations also keep diplomats and ambassadors to work out differences
and provide links between countries. Political scientists also study the effects of
nationalism and imperialism, as well as isolationism; on the way nations interact with
each other. This field deals with the wide range of theories and practices connected
with defense policies, espionage, and the politics of war and peace.

8. Political Behavior is how the people react to political conditions and influences. By
studying the political behavior of the voting populace, political scientist can come up
with generalizations of what people are likely to support and what they will actively
 seek from their government. Voter demographics and polling data are the two most
important innovations for those studying the election process and have become very
useful in the development of voter-specific propaganda.

THE STATE AND GOVERNMENT

STATE

The state is a community of persons, more or less numerous, permanently occupying a

definite portion of territory, independent of external control and possessing an
organized government to which the great body of inhabitants render habitual
obedience.

INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE

1. Police power. This is the power of the state to enact laws, ordinances or rules
designed to promote the safety, health, peace, good order and morals of the
community.
2. Power of Eminent Domain. This is the power of the state to take private property for
public use upon payment of just compensation.
3. Power of Taxation. This is the power of the state to impose and collect revenue for
public purposes.

GENERAL RIGHTS OF THE STATE

1. The right to exist as a political sovereign entity. The inherent right of the state to
exist is a fundamental right of every of every sate, irrespective of its size, population,
wealth, prestige or power. This is in consonance with the principles of self-
preservation.
2. The right of independence. This is right of a state to manage all its affairs, internal or
external, without any control or restraint from other states, as long as it respects the
rights of other states.
3. The right of equality. All the members of the family of nations, regardless of the
origin and form of government are legally equal. All member-nations enjoy similar
privileges, immunities and duties under international law.
4. The right of property. The state has a vested right over land within its territorial
domain.
5. The right of jurisdiction. This is the right of the state to exercise authority over all
persons and material possession within its territorial boundaries.

REQUISITES FOR STATE EXISTENCE

1. People/Population – who comprise the nation. Without people, there can be no

state. A state must leave a group of people constituting its membership. There is no
definite rule governing the number of inhabitants. The nature of state’s population
can affect the stability and political organization of the state.
2. Territory occupied by the nation. This refers to the land where the people and their
government leave jurisdiction and occupancy in actual terms.
3. Government to exercise authority of the state – is the aggregate of authorities which
rule society. There must be an organized structure and body of officials that will put
in operation the power of the state.
4. Sovereignty. The supreme power of the state to command and enforce obedience.

KINDS OF SOVEREIGNTY

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 1. Internal – is the power inherent in the people or vested in its ruler by the
constitution to govern the state.
2. External – consists in the independence of one political society is respect to all other
political societies.
3. Legal – means the supreme authority to enact laws.
4. Political – means the supreme authority to determine the person or body to be in
power.

CHARACTERISTICS OF SOVEREIGNTY

1. Absolute – it is unlimited and unchallenged legal power within the state.

2. Indivisible – sovereignty is indivisible power because, as one writer observed “to
divide sovereignty is to destroy it.
3. Inalienable – sovereignty is inalienable power for the reason that when it is
alienated the state loses one of its essential elements and thereby to ceases to exist.
4. Perpetual – sovereignty is perpetual power because it exists as long as the state
exists. Only the destruction of the state will destroy sovereignty, because it lasts as
long as the states lasts.
5. Universal – sovereignty is a universal power for it subjects all person and things
within the territorial limits of the state.

THE THEORETICAL BASES OF THE STATES

There are several theories concerning the origin of the state, among them are:

1. Divine Right Theory – This theory views that the state is of Divine Creation and the
ruler is ordained by God to govern the people. This doctrine was widely held in the
middle ages.
2. The Contract Theory – the contract theory assumes that there was a time when men-
livd in a “State of nature” without any political organization, when the only laws
governing their actions were those dictated by the instinct of reason of by nature
itself. This theory views the institution of political authority as the result of a
contract or covenant among the members of the community.

This favorite political creed was dominant during the 17 and 18 th century.
The exponents were John Lock, Thomas Hobbes, and Jean Jacques Rousseau.

3. The Patriarchal Theory

This theory considers the state as an expansion of family that is, original
family expanded through the marriage of the children thereby forming a new family
but the authority of the father of the very first family, called patriarch.

4. Necessities and Force Theory

This theory holds that the state originated in conquest and coercion. The
timid and weak were subdued by the ambitious, strong and courageous.

5. Historical or Evolutionary Theory

This theory holds a slow, gradual, continuous process beginning from the
remote past through the entire history of the human race up to the present.

6. The Economic Theory

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 This theory holds the real motive for the formation of the state is the desire of
men and women to satisfy their many and varied wants.

7. The Instinctive Theory

This theory holds that political institutions are but the objective expressions
of the instinct of men for association. The state was the institutionalized expression
of the human instinct for political association.

GOVERNMENT

It is the agency or instrumentality through which the will of the state is

formulated, expressed and realized. The government of the Republic of the following:

1. National Government – refers to the entire machinery of the government

2. Local Government – refers to the political subdivisions such as provinces, cities,
municipalities, and barangays
3. Autonomous Regions – refers to the autonomous governments or regions in the
country
4. Metropolitan Authority – refers to the special political subdivisions composed of all
government units

FUNCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT

1. The constituent functions are those which are compulsory functions that constitute
the very bonds of society.
a. The definition and punishment of crimes
b. The administration of justice in civil cases
c. The fixing of legal relations between men and wife and between parents and
children

2. The Ministrant functions are those undertaken by way advancing the general
interests of society and are therefore, optional, such as public works, public
education, public charity.

THE MAJOR TYPES OF GOVERNMENT

An etymologist’s approach to forms of government: the following is a list of real,

possible or imaginary forms of government, all made different by the prefix and suffix
combination. All use one two suffixes: -archy meaning leadership (e.g. anarchy -
meaning no leadership), and -cracy meaning power (e.g. democracy – power of people).

 adhocracy government in an unstructured fashion; an unstructured organization

 anarchy order without government
 andrarchy/androcracy government by men
 aristocracy government by the nobility
 autarchy government by an absolute ruler
 autocracy government by one individual
 bureaucracy government by civil servants
 confederacy a union of sovereign states; federation
 demarchy government by the people; popular government
 democracy government by the people
 ethnocracy government by the people
 gerontocracy government by the aged
 gynarchy government by women; gynarchy

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  hierarchy government by a ranked body; government by priests
 hierocracy government by priests or religious ministers
 kleptocracy government by thieves
 matriarchy government by women or mothers
 meritocracy government by those with merit
 monarchy government by one individual
 ochlocracy government by mobs
 oligarchy government by the few
 patriarchy government by men or fathers
 plantocracy government by plantation owners
 plutocracy government by the wealthy
 synarchy joint sovereignty
 technocracy government by technical experts
 theocracy government by priests or by religious law

PART II. PRACTICE TEST

1. In political science, countries around the world are typically described as ‘nation-
states’. Which of these is not crucial description of one of the key aspects of the
nation-state?
a. A political entity willing to recognize and respect the sovereignty of other
nation-states
b. A political entity with a monopoly on police enforcement within a set of
political boundaries
c. A political entity capable of extending its political, economic and military
influence across the globe
d. A political entity legally recognized by other nation-sates

2. Which of these political ideologies has not been employed as the official ideology of
a modern nation-state?
a. Anarchism c. Fascism
b. Communism d. Liberalism

3. The following are characteristics of the Marcos government except

a. Modified parliamentary c. Unitary
b. Modified presidential d. Liberal

4. The American occupation is said to be have resulted to the following, except:

a. patronage politics c. civil government
b. elite democracy d. centralized government

5. The following is a characteristic of the Aquino government before February 2, 1987,

except:
a. revolutionary c. dictatorship
b. constitutional d. de facto

6. A feature a state need not to possess is

a. government c. territory
b. population d. treaty

7. The following show involvement in politics, except

a. tried to influence your neighbor’s vote
b. wrote a letter to your Representative in Congress
c. participated in a demonstration

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 d. watched the news

8. Why do people need government?

a. to maintain social order
b. to gain political power
c. participate in a demonstration
d. practice politics

9. Below are examples of direct democracy, except

a. voting for someone in a city council election
b. attending a town meeting
c. gathering signatures on a petition requesting the city to improve the parks
d. watching election

10. One of the following is not a state

a. United States
b. Philippines
c. Palestinian liberation organization
d. Israel

11. A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized
government with the power to make and enforce laws.
a. state c. institution
b. people d. community

12. It means that nations must interact, or depend on one another, in many ways.
a. Independence c. Organization
b. International relations d. United Nations

13. This covers the organization of government and duties and functions of government
officials.
a. political ideology c. political law
b. public administration d. public law

14. It attributes the origin of the states to the enlargement of family which remained
under the authority of the father.
a. Divine right theory c. Paternalistic theory
b. Force theory d. Social contract

15. It is the form of government in which the identifying feature is the separation of
powers.
a. Aristocracy c. Parliamentary
b. Monarchial d. Social contract

16. Globalization may result to the following, except

a. strengthen trust and solidarity by bringing more people together
b. undermine the accountability of political leaders
c. make countries self-reliant
d. serve to bolster popular sovereignty

17. Derives its powers from the central government. This form of government is
a. centralized c. federal
b. decentralized d. unitary

18. The rules designed to ensure that war is conducted in a predictable and orderly
manner are known as the

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 a. Geneva Convention
b. Dayton Accord*
c. Kyoto Protocol
d. The Rio Summit

* General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also known as
the Dayton Agreement, Dayton Accords, Paris Protocol or Dayton-Paris Agreement, is
the peace agreement reached at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio in
November 1995, and formally signed in Paris on December 14, 1995

19. The Uruguay round of negotiations in 1986-1993 resulted in the creation of the
a. World Trade Organization
b. European Economic Community
c. International Criminal Court
d. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

20. The slogan “From each according to his ability, to each according to their need”
reflects
a. Plato’s organizing principle for his vision of The Republic
b. Edmund Burke’s view of how a benevolent conservative government should
rule
c. Karl Max’s idea of how communist society should function
d. The idea of the equality of opportunity proposed by reform liberals

21. Although fascism and communism are at opposite ends to the left-right ideological
spectrum, both ideologies
a. believe in the need for preserving a role for religious institutions in society
b. reject the idea that human nature is essentially good and cooperative
c. build on Karl Marx’s idea of the class struggle
d. are willing to use strong government intervention to achieve their needs

22. A country whose system of government includes regional governments whose

powers are delegated by the national government is an example of what type of
government?
a. Unitary
b. Federal
c. Confederal
d. Devolution

23. The Clod War era lasted during what period?

a. 1917-1945
b. 1945-1989
c. 1947-1992
d. 1917-1989

24. Trade rules such as those overseen by the World Trade Organization are
a. still in the realm of international law and do not have an impact on the
domestic economic policies of state
b. are increasingly becoming part of an “external constitution” that is every bit
as binding on a state’s government as the state’s “internal constitution”
c. tending to disappear as globalization gains momentum
d. not to be taken seriously

25. One in which governmental powers are decided between the central and its local
government units.
a. Democracy c. Hereditary

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 b. Federal d. Monarchy

26. The control of national and local affairs is exercised by the central or national
government.
a. De Facto c. Republican
b. Democracy d. Unitary

27. The government established by the Japanese in the Philippines was:

a. Civil government c. De Jure
b. De Facto government d. Monarchial

28. It is considered the highest form of allegiance above class, or other social group
a. humanism c. nationalism
b. citizen d. nation

29. A body of rules emanating form government institution and enforceable by the
courts.
a. customs and tradition c. ideology
b. law d. institution

30. Set of beliefs and attitudes about social and economic institution
a. ideology c. political beliefs
b. platform d. political institution

31. Which of the following is the inherent power of the state?

a. power of taxation c. right of independence
b. right of equality d. right of intervention

32. Which famous politician was known as the “Iron Lady”?

a. Margareth Thatcher c. Jian Qing*
b. Aung San Suu Kyi d. Mary Robinson**

* Chiang Ch’ing (1914–91), Chinese Communist political leader, wife of Mao Zedong
**Mary Therese Winifred Robinson ( 21 May 1944) was the first female President of
Ireland, serving from 1990 to 1997, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human
Rights, from 1997 to 2002

33. An ideology is _______________

a. A collection of sayings by important politicians
b. The collective wisdom of a society
c. A consistent set of ideas about the objectives of political life
d. The way democratic political systems function

34. Political science

a. is one of the social sciences
b. is another term for political studies
c. can be combined with many other disciplines such as economics or sociology
d. all of the above

35. Power to a political scientist is

a. about learning to do statistical analysis
b. the ethical treatment of acquiescence
c. the ability to impose one’s will on another
d. the ability to influence others

36. Authority is

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 a. an aspect of political power
b. less evident in international politics than domestic politics
c. when someone believes a political actor has a right to make a binding
decision
d. the ability to influence others

37. Democratic governments

a. prefer to have citizens comply with their decisions voluntarily
b. never resort to coercive measures to ensure obedience
c. believe that merely asking people to do things is usually effective
d. draw power from the will of the people

38. The concept of sovereignty, within a nation-state claims sole authority under a given
set of laws within its territorial boundaries, is often said to have first been given
form under which of these treaties?
a. Utrecht c. Ghent
b. Versailles d. Paris

39. Which of these famous comparative political scientists insisted that there is only one
non-culturally specific path of development for nation-states, and that England first
discovered this path?
a. Thomas Hobbes c. Francis Fukuyama
b. Noam Chomsky d. W.W Rostow

40. Francis Fukuyama is a name typically associated with which of the following
catchphrases?
a. The Invisible Hand c. The Invention of Tradition
b. The End of History d. Clash of Civilizations

41. ‘Clash of Civilizations’ is the catchphrase of which of these political scientists, who
also has discussed three ‘waves’ of democracy in his writings?
a. Francis Fukuyama c. Benedict Anderson
b. Samuel Huntington d. Alvin Toffler

42. The most essential instrument of a democratic government.

a. Civil liberties c. rule of law
b. election d. political party

43. The Filipinos had already established their own government lone before the coming
of the Spaniards. It was called
a. council of elders c. Lakan
b. Barangay d. Raja

44. Political legitimacy is an important aspect of every regime’s rule. Legitimacy refers
to a particular regime’s need to justify the propriety of its rule vis-aà -vis its subjects.
Max Weber described three basic forms of legitimacy. Which of the following was
not a pattern by which a regime may attain legitimacy for its authority according to
Weber?
a. Traditional c. Charismatic
b. Legal-Rational d. International Norms

45. One of the leading political ideologies of the past several centuries has been that of
liberalism. In short, liberalism promotes the ideas of maximum freedom of choice
and minimal government involvement in the lives of citizens. Which of these famous
political theorists was a proponent of the liberal philosophy?
a. Adam Smith c. Mikhail Bakunin*

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 b. Noam Chomsky d. Karl Max

* Mikhail Alexandrovich Bakunin (May 18 (30 N.S.), 1814 – June 19 (July 1 N.S.), 1876) was
a well-known Russian revolutionary[1] whose political philosophy was the revolutionary
doctrine known as collectivist anarchism

46. Social democracy is another popular political ideology, one largely developed in the
20th century. Which of these countries adopted social democracy as its chief political
ideology in the latter part of the 20th century?
a. Sweden c. Japan
b. France d. South Korea

47. Theories abound regarding how the modern concept of the nation-state was
developed (complete with the development of modern nationalism). Which of these
political theorists developed the concept of imagined communities’ to explain the
rise of modern nationalism?
a. Francis Fukuyama c. Benedict Anderson
b. Noam Chomsky d. John Rawls

48. Another theoretician who has taken part in the debate about the development of
nationalism throughout the world is E.J. Hobsbawn. Which of these phrases is
Hobsbawn’s work?
a. The Inventions of Tradition c. Orientalism
b. Imagined Communities d. The end of History

49. Antonio Gramsci argued that a “hegemony of ideas” is created by the most powerful
members of society
a. to explain the need of protecting subcultures while at the same time
assimilating them
b. to ensure that subcultures are always represented in public portrayals of
their societies values
c. so that particular values and beliefs are so ingrained in people that they think
of them as matters of common sense
d. to facilitate the effective administration of government functions

PART III: MORE EXERCISES (Philippine Constitution)

DIRECTION: Choose the best answer.

1. Which office has the jurisdiction to pass upon the qualifications of the President of
the Philippines?
A. Senate C. Supreme Court
B. COMELEC D. House of Representatives

2. The appointment of the following are vested in the President of the Philippines
except
A. Judges C. Ambassadors
B. Department Secretaries D. none of the above

3. The following may be removed from office by the President of the Philippines except
A. Judges C. Ambassadors
B. Department Secretaries D. none of the above

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4. Under the constitutional revision of 1981 with Marcos as president and Virata as the
prime minister, our form or government was
A. Presidential C. Modified parliamentary
B. Parliamentary D. none of the above

5. The Kuratong Baleleng case may not be revived because it will violate the right of
the accused
A. to a speedy trial C. both a and b
B. against double jeopardy D. none of the above

6. Who are not entitled to vote?

A. Insane
B. Disabled
C. Illiterates
D. Filipinos who are permanent residents of a foreign country

7. Which is supreme in times of martial law?

A. AFP chief C. the president
B. the military D. civilian authority

8. The President cannot, without the concurrence of Congress, grant the following
A. Pardons C. Commutations of sentence
B. Amnesty D. None of the above

9. A person who commits a crime in the following places may be prosecuted in

Philippine courts
A. inside the U.S. Embassy premises
B. on a boat of foreign registry but docked in Philippine waters
C. on a boat of Philippine registry but docked in another country’s waters
D. all of the above

10. The right to bail is available to a(n) accused/respondent in

A. Criminal cases C. Deportation proceedings
B. Court martial cases D. All of the above

11. Congress is vested with the following powers except

A. Veto
B. Declaration of war
C. Confirmation of appointed generals of the AFP
D. Concurrence in international treaties

12. A person may be penalized with imprisonment for

A. Failing to comply with his/her obligation to render services as agreed upon
in a contract with another person
B. Non-payment of mortgage loan
C. Being a member of a terrorist group
D. None of the above

13. Unions of government employees may engage in the following concerted actions
except
A. Pickets C. Collective bargaining
B. Strikes D. Demonstrations and rallies

14. A bill approved by Congress does not becomes law in the following
A. The President vetoes it
B. The President fails to sign it within 30 days

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 C. Congress, by majority vote, overrides the President’s veto
D. A and C

15. Which is not an element of State?

A. People C. Administration
B. Territory D. Sovereignty

16. The house of representatives shall be the exclusive origin of the following bills on
A. Appropriations
B. Education
C. War
D. Treaty

17. The following officials may be removed only by impeachment

A. Senate President C. House Speaker
B. Ombudsman D. Secretary of Education

18. A government official is prohibited from receiving

A. Double compensation C. Both A and B
B. Additional compensation D. None of the above

19. The term of office of the senator

A. 3 years C. 6 years
B. 12 years D. 5 years

20. The regular election of the members of Congress shall be held on the
A. 4th Monday of July C. 4th Monday of May
B. 2 Monday of May
nd
D. 2nd Monday of July

21. The change of venue of trial can be ordered for this reason
A. lack of jurisdiction c. convenience
B. humanitarian reason d. to avoid miscarriage of justice

22. The government during the time of President Cory Aquino was
A. De facto C. both A and B
B. De jure D. none of the above

23. The following are members of the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) except
A. Professor of law C. Retired justice of the Supreme Court
B. Ombudsman D. Secretary of Justice

24. Who has the sole power to try and decide an impeachment case?
A. Supreme Court C. Senate
B. People D. House of Representatives

25. Upon what age must judges retire?

A. 70 C. 55
B. 65 D. 60

26. A bill passed by Congress can become a law even if nor signed by the President after the
lapse of
A. 20 days C. 40 days
B. 30 days D. 50 days

27. The partylist shall constitute ______________of the total number of the House of
Representatives.

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 A. 10% C. 20%
B. 30% D. 5%

28. It is a law that punishes without judicial trial.

A. certiorari C. bill of attainder
B. mandamus D. ex post facto law

29. Which among the following sector cannot participate under the partylist system?
A. youth C. overseas workers
B. religious D. urban poor

30. The canvassing of votes of President shall be done by Congress and presided by:
A. Chief Justice C. Ombudsman
B. Secretary of National Defense D. Senate President

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