Political Thought Multiple Choice Questions
1. Political Thought originated in ancient Europe in
A. Rome
B. Greece
C. England
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Greece
2. Who among the following is not a Greek Political thinker?
A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
D. Machiavelli
Answer: D. Machiavelli
3. Greece is situated in the …………. of Europe
A. North
B. South
C. East
D. West
Answer: B. South
4. Basically, the people of Greece lived in
A. Cities
B. The State
C. City-States
D. Both (a) and (b)
Answer: C. City-States
5. A City-State was
A. A modern City
B. A small Nation State
C. A Community of people living together
D. A Village
Answer: C. A Community of people living together
6. Athens was
A. A City-State
B. A Village
C. A Township
D. A State
Answer: A. A City-State
7. The people of Greece developed their philosophy because
A. They were warriors
B. They had calm and clear minds
C. God revealed Philosophy to them
D. None of the above
Answer: B. They had calm and clear minds
8. Plato lived during
A. 5th and 4th century BC
B. 4th and 3rd century BC
C. 3rd and 2nd century BC
D. 4th and 5th century AD
Answer: A. 5th and 4th century BC
9. Plato was a disciple of
A. Aristotle
B. Polybius
C. Cicero
D. Socrates
Answer: D. Socrates
10. Plato instituted
A. The Academy
B. The university of Athens
C. Lyceum
D. Coliseum
Answer: A. The Academy
11. Plato was
A. A Political Thinker
B. A Political Philosopher
C. A Mathematician
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
12. Which one of the following is Plato’s work?
A. The Lyceum
B. The Prince
C. The Republic
D. None of the above
Answer: C. The Republic
13. Following is a fundamental idea of Plato
A. Theory of Education
B. The Ideal Man
C. Theory of Justice
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
14. According to Plato, the following are the three elements in man
A. Reason, Spirit, Appetite
B. Reason, Justice, Equality
C. Justice, Liberty, Equality
D. Reason, Spirit, Justice
Answer: A. Reason, Spirit, Appetite
15. In Plato’s State, the element of Reason is present in
A. Philosophers
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. Common Men
Answer: A. Philosophers
16. In Plato’s State, the element of Spirit is present in
A. Philosophers
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Soldiers
17. In Plato’s State, the element of Appetite is present in
A. Philosophers
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. Priests
Answer: C. Workers
18. According to the Philosophy of Plato, the fundamental character of Philosopher is
A. Wisdom
B. Courage
C. Appetite
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Wisdom
19. The basic character of Soldiers, according to Plato, is
A. Wisdom
B. Courage
C. Appetite
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Courage
20. In Plato’s State, the economic motive is satisfied by
A. Philosophers
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Workers
21. In Plato’s State, the Government is run by
A. Philosophers
B. Soldiers
C. Workers
D. Constitution
Answer: A. Philosophers
22. Plato’s Philosopher King is
A. A King
B. A Philosopher
C. A Philosopher who is like a King
D. A King who is like a Philosopher
Answer: C. A Philosopher who is like a King
23. The most prominent characteristic of Plato’s State is
A. There is specialization of functions
B. There is no specialization of functions
C. There is decentralization of functions
D. There is no decentralization of functions.
Answer: A. There is specialization of functions
24. According to Plato
A. The State is Justice, Liberty and Equality Writ Large
B. The State is Society Writ Large
C. The State is Philosopher Writ Large
D. The State is Individual Writ Large
Answer: D. The State is Individual Writ Large
25. Plato was for
A. Equal Status for Men and Women
B. Higher Status for Men
C. Higher Status for Women
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Equal Status for Men and Women
26. According to Plato, the objective of State is
A. Good Life
B. Good Administration
C. Good Philosophy
D. Good Economy
Answer: A. Good Life
27. Platonic system of education is
A. Systematic and Progressive
B. Systematic but not Progressive
C. Progressive but not Systematic
D. Neither Systematic nor Progressive
Answer: A. Systematic and Progressive
28. According to the Platonic system of education, Higher Education starts at the age of
A. 18
B. 20
C. 25
D. 35
Answer: B. 20
29. Plato’s system of Communism is meant only for
A. Philosophers and Soldiers
B. Soldiers and Workers
C. Philosophers Soldiers and Workers
D. Philosophers and Workers.
Answer: A. Philosophers and Soldiers
30. According to Plato’s Communism,
A. Only the Upper Class can have property
B. Only the Lower Classes can have property
C. Both Upper Class and Lower Class can have Property
D. Nether Upper Class nor Lower class can have Property
Answer: B. Only the Lower Classes can have property
31. According to Plato, the reason for not giving private property to all classes is because
A. Private property is not good for people
B. Private property will lead to personal ambitions
C. Economic and political power in the same hands is not for State
D. Both (b) and (c) above.
Answer: D. Both (b) and (c) above.
32. According to Plato’s scheme of Education, Higher Education consists of the study of
A. Music and Gymnastics
B. Logic, Mathematics, Geometry, Astronomy
C. Military and diplomatic Training
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Logic, Mathematics, Geometry, Astronomy
33. According to Plato’s scheme of Education, Gymnastics is good for the
A. Body
B. Mind
C. Spirit
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Body
34. According to Platonic scheme of education, Music is good for
A. Body
B. Soul
C. Both (a) and (b) above
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Soul
35. According to Plato, Justice at the individual level means
A. Selecting the true vocation in life
B. Abiding by the Philosopher
C. Having the right kind of education at the right age
D. A service in the Military at the right time.
Answer: A. Selecting the true vocation in life
36. According to Plato, Justice has
A. Only Individual Dimension
B. only Societal Dimension
C. Both Individual and societal dimensions
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both Individual and societal dimensions
37. Platonic concept of Justice at the societal level means division of society into
A. Philosophers, Soldiers and Workers
B. Philosophers and Soldiers
C. Rich and the poor
D. Rulers and the ruled
Answer: A. Philosophers, Soldiers and Workers
38. According to Plato, the following classes should live in barracks
A. Philosophers and slaves
B. Masters and Slaves
C. Philosophers and Soldiers
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Philosophers and Soldiers
39. Plato’s ‘Republic’ contains his ideas about
A. Justice
B. Theory of State
C. Theory of Education
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
40. The Academy instituted by Aristotle was called
A. The Academy
B. Lyceum
C. Ecclesia
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Lyceum
41. Who among the following strongly said that “Man is a Political Animal”?
A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
D. None of the Above.
Answer: C. Aristotle
42. According to Aristotle, when Family cannot meet all Man’s needs, he formed
A. The Village
B. The State
C. The Commune
D. None of the above
Answer: A. The Village
43. According to Aristotle, the following is the highest form of Community
A. The Family
B. The Village
C. The Commune
D. The State
Answer: D. The State
44. Who said, “The State came into being for the sake of good life and continues for the sake of good life” ?
A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Aristotle
45. Who said, “Without the State Man cannot realize his destiny”?
A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Aristotle
46. According to Aristotle, the State is
A. Product of selfishness of man
B. A convenience
C. Organic in nature
D. Inorganic in nature
Answer: C. Organic in nature
47. Who among the following philosophers proposed the evolutionary theory of State?
A. Socrates
B. Plato
C. Aristotle
D. Polybius
Answer: C. Aristotle
48. According to Aristotle, the function of the State is
A. Good administration
B. Economic Goodness
C. Moral perfection of the individual
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Moral perfection of the individual
49. Who among the following philosophers proposed a Theory of Slavery?
A. Socrates
B. Aristotle
C. Polybius
D. Machiavelli
Answer: B. Aristotle
50. According to Aristotle, the particular quality of a Master is
A. Physical strength
B. Intellectual Strength
C. Both Physical strength and intellectual strength
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Intellectual Strength
51. In a Master-Slave relationship, according to Aristotle, the Slave is
A. Not at all benefitted
B. Benefitted
C. Selling his work to his Master
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Benefitted
52. According to Aristotle, Slavery is good for the Slave because
A. He gets constant supply of food
B. The Master protects the slave
C. The Master does not kill the Slave
D. He gets Virtue in a second hand manner
Answer: D. He gets Virtue in a second hand manner
53. According to Aristotle, a Master can use the Slave
A. To make money and power
B. To protect himself
C. For leisure
D. None of the above
Answer: C. For leisure
54. According to Aristotle, Constitution
A. Determines arrangement of the offices of the State
B. Determines who holds the offices
C. Is not just the part of the State; but the State itself
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
55. According to Aristotle, the three normal forms of Governments are
A. Kingship, Aristocracy and Polity
B. Kingship, Aristocracy and Democracy
C. Tyranny, Oligarchy and Democracy
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Kingship, Aristocracy and Polity
56. According to Aristotle, Kingship might degenerate into
A. Tyranny
B. Oligarchy
C. Democracy
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Tyranny
57. According to Aristotle, which one of the following is the best form of
Government?
A. Kingship
B. Aristocracy
C. Polity
D. Democracy
Answer: A. Kingship
58. According to Aristotle, the cause of Revolution is
A. Man’s desire for equality and love for gain and honour
B. Undue importance of some individuals in public life
C. Carelessness in granting office and neglect of changes
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
59. According to Aristotle, the best method to prevent Revolution is to
A. Develop the spirit of obedience to law
B. Observe small changes in constitution
C. Prevent concentration of too much power in too few hands
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
60. The Romans spread which one of the following idea/ideas in Europe?
A. Universal Law
B. Jus Naturale
C. Brotherhood of man and World Citizenship
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
61. In ancient Rome, the Law applicable to both the Citizens and
foreigners is called
A. Jus Naturale
B. Jus Civile
C. Jus Gentium
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Jus Gentium
62. Which one of the following statements is true about Roman Law?
A. It consists of only Jus Gentium
B. It consists of only Jus Naturale
C. It consists of only Jus Civile
D. It is a product of Jus Gentium, Jus Naturale and Jus Civile
Answer: D. It is a product of Jus Gentium, Jus Naturale and Jus Civile
63. Which one of the following is a characteristic of Roman law?
A. Secularisation of Law
B. Universal nature of Law
C. Individual is the centre of legal thought
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
64. Which one of the following is the author of “Histories” which
explained Roman success?
A. Polybius
B. Cicero
C. Socrates
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Polybius
65. The Consuls of the Roman society represented the elements of
A. Monarchy
B. Aristocracy
C. Democracy
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Monarchy
66. In the ancient roman society, the financial and judicial powers were
vested with
A. The Consuls
B. The Senate
C. The Popular Assembly
D. None of the above
Answer: B. The Senate
67. Which one of the following is the famous work by Cicero?
A. The Histories
B. De Republica
C. The Prince
D. None of the above
Answer: B. De Republica
68. According to Cicero, which one of the following is the best form of
government?
A. Monarchy
B. Aristocracy
C. Democracy
D. A mix of Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy
Answer: D. A mix of Monarchy, Aristocracy and Democracy
69. According to Cicero,
A. Law is divine in nature
B. Law means submission to the will of God
C. Law is mind of God
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
70. “Hindu Political Thought” means
A. Political Thought of Hindu religion
B. Political Thought given in Vedas
C. Political Thought of Hindu Rajas
D. Political Thought which originated in the Indian continent
Answer: D. Political Thought which originated in the Indian continent
71. “Dharma” means
A. Virtuous path
B. Higher Truth
C. The right duty of a person
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
72. Concept of Dharma was followed by
A. Budhism
B. Jainism
C. Hinduism
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
73. Name the political thinker who was the Prime Minister of Maurya
Emperor
A. Kautilya
B. Chanakya
C. Vishnu Guptha
D. All the above
Answer: A. Kautilya
74. The famous work by Kautilya
A. Arthasaastra
B. The Prince
C. The Republic
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Arthasaastra
75. “Arthasaastra” means
A. The science of political economy
B. The science of meanings
C. The science of government
D. None of the above
Answer: A. The science of political economy
76. The ‘Rajarshi’ or King of Kautilya is
A. An autocrat
B. A Democrat
C. An Oligarch
D. None of the above
Answer: A. An autocrat
77. The science of Law and punishment according to Hindu political
thought is called
A. Matsyanyaya
B. Dharma
C. Rashtradharma
D. Dantaniti
Answer: D. Dantaniti
78. ‘Matsyanyaya’ in the ancient Hindu Political Thought means
A. Art of law and punishment
B. Grihadharma
C. In the absence of the ruler, the strong will destroy the weak.
D. None of the above
Answer: C. In the absence of the ruler, the strong will destroy the weak.
79. In the ancient Hindu Political thought, the concept close to
‘Sovereignty’ is called
A. Dharma
B. Rajadharma
C. Rajatva
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Rajatva
80. Kautilya’s concept that the State consists of seven elements is called
A. Saptanga Theory
B. Sapthamugha theory
C. Sapthabhaaga Theory
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Saptanga Theory
81. Which one of the following is NOT included in the seven elements of
the State according to Kautilya?
A. The King
B. The Minister
C. The country
D. The enemy
Answer: D. The enemy
82. ‘Medieval Period’ roughly means
A. 5th century BC to 5th century AD
B. 5th century AD to 15th century AD
C. 15th century AD to 19th century AD
D. None of the above
Answer: B. 5th century AD to 15th century AD
83. Medieval period is characterized by
A. Secularism
B. Influence of Christianity
C. Influence of Monarchy
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Influence of Christianity
84. The Political philosophy of Thomas Aquinas consists of
A. Aristotalianism
B. Scholasticism
C. Universalism
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
85. Medieval Scholasticism is characterized by its position that
A. Church is infallible and unquestionable
B. Faith and Reason should be balanced
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Both (a) and (b)
86. Medieval Scholasticism held that
A. Science should be in tune with Theology
B. Theology should be in tune with Science
C. Both (a) and (b)
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Science should be in tune with Theology
87. The Christian concept of Universalism held that
A. The whole world is a single Universe
B. Only Christians will be saved
C. All human souls will be saved
D. The sinners will not be saved
Answer: C. All human souls will be saved
88. According to Thomas Aquinas, which one of the following is the
highest human institution?
A. Family
B. Church
C. The State
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Church
89. According to Aquinas, which one of the following is NOT a kind of
Law?
A. Eternal Law
B. Natural Law
C. Divine Law
D. Church Law
Answer: D. Church Law
90. According to Aquinas, which one of the following is “the mind of God”?
A. Eternal Law
B. Natural Law
C. Divine Law
D. Human Law
Answer: A. Eternal Law
91. According to Aquinas, which one of the following is the reflection of
the Divine Law in the world?
A. Eternal Law
B. Natural Law
C. Human Law
D. Law of the Church
Answer: B. Natural Law
92. According to Aquinas, the revelation of God through Saints is called
A. Eternal Law
B. Natural Law
C. Divine Law
D. None of the Above
Answer: C. Divine Law
93. According to Aquinas, which one of the following laws is published?
A. Eternal Law
B. Divine Law
C. Natural Law
D. Human Law
Answer: D. Human Law
94. The Theory of Universal Monarchy was proposed by
A. Dante Alighieri
B. St. Thomas Aquinas
C. Machiavelli
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Dante Alighieri
95. The famous work by Dante Alighieri
A. De Republica
B. De Monarchia
C. The Prince
D. None of the above
Answer: B. De Monarchia
96. According to Dante Alighieri, which is the best form of government?
A. Monarchy
B. Aristocracy
C. Democracy
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Monarchy
97. According to Dante Alighieri, the power of the Monarch came from
A. People
B. The Pope
C. God
D. None of the above
Answer: C. God
98. According to Dante Alighieri, the following is the characteristics of the
Universal Monarch?
A. He is the representative of the God on Earth
B. He must rule other Monarchs of Earth
C. He is the guardian of Peace on Earth
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
99. According to Dante Alighieri, who is “ Law throned, crowned and
invested with majesty and honour”?
A. Universal Monarch
B. The Pope
C. God
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Universal Monarch
100. Niccolo di Bernardo dei Machiavelli was a
A. Political Philosopher
B. Diplomat
C. Musician
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
101. Which Political Philosopher is known as the “Child of Renaissance”?
A. Dante Alighieri
B. St. Thomas Aquinas
C. Niccolo Machiavelli
D. None of the above
Answer: C. Niccolo Machiavelli
102. Renaissance is characterized by
A. Domination of the Church
B. Freedom of Thought and Expression
C. Religious Fundamentalism
D. None of the above
Answer: B. Freedom of Thought and Expression
103. The following is the product of Renaissance
A. Freedom of Thought
B. Nationalism
C. Individualism
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
104. Which of the following is the method of Machiavelli?
A. Realism
B. Observation
C. Historical Method
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
105. Machiavelli approached politics from the stand point of
A. The people
B. The Pope
C. The Ruler
D. None of the above
Answer: C. The Ruler
106. Machiavelli’s opinion about Human nature was as follows
A. Human nature is bad
B. Human nature is good
C. Human nature is neither good nor bad
D. None of the above
Answer: A. Human nature is bad
107. Which one of the following words best explain Machiavelli’s Prince
A. Rational
B. Brutal
C. Fearful
D. All the above
Answer: D. All the above
108. According to Machiavelli,
A. State is a means to an end
B. State is an end in itself
C. State is neither a means nor an end in itself
D. None of the above
Answer: B. State is an end in itself
109. According to Machiavelli,
A. State is moral
B. State is immoral
C. State is non-moral
D. None of the above
Answer: C. State is non-moral