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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What social force does man rely on from others?

2. What violent acts between countries added to feelings of powerlessness and anxiety during the nineteenth century?

3. What group was responsible for improving the economic position of the worker?

4. What drives man's struggle for self-promotion?

5. What time period was marked by man's darkness and scheming?

Short Essay Questions

1. What are the three falsehoods about authoritarianism?

2. How did capitalism change the individual's role in society?

3. How do Fromm and Luther differ in the definition of selfishness?

4. How did Lutheranism challenge the Catholic Church?

5. What are Freud's thoughts on man and society?

6. What are Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Kafka, and Green's points of view with regards to the individual?

7. How does the biblical story of man's exodus from paradise relate to Fromm's ideas about choice and freedom?

8. What does Fromm say about man's value is determined by the capitalistic economy?

9. How does capitalism affect an individual's freedom, and what are Fromm's criticisms of capitalism?

10. How was fascism viewed when it first came to power?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe in great detail Fromm's three "Mechanisms of Escape." Your essay should be divided into three sections:

1). Describe authoritarianism, the authoritarian character, why people submit to authoritarian leaders, and examples from history.

2). Explain Fromm's definition of destructiveness, what causes it, consequences for it, and historical examples.

3). Evaluate the effects of automaton conformity on society and the individual man.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the significance of this Benjamin Franklin quote to Fromm's analysis of freedom: "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." In your response, address the following points:

1). Explain the relevance of this quote with regards to Fromm's book.

2). Cite text examples from Fromm's book where people have given up their liberty for safety and vice versa.

3). Give several personal examples of how high school students give up some of their liberties for security.

4). Based on the evidence in Fromm's book, would he agree with Franklin? Why or why not?

Essay Topic 3

Describe a fictitious society where man has complete and total freedom. Your essay should answer the following questions:

1). What is the political structure of this society?

2). Is there one central authority figure? If so, describe this individual. If not, explain why this individual does not exist.

3). What structures/ideologies/rules are in place that guarantee man his freedom?

4). Is everyone happy with the amount of freedom given to them?

5). Based on Fromm's definition of freedom, what would he say about this society? Would he agree that the individuals in this society have complete and total freedom?

(see the answer keys)

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