POL 101

What was the key outcome of the Mercantilist Era after 1500?

The world emerged as a meaningful political and economic unit, controlled by western Europeans by 1700.

What did Absolute Monarchies in Europe seek to control during the Mercantilist Era?

They sought to ensure political and military power and access to markets and natural resources.

Define Mercantilism.

A system whereby imperial governments used military power to enrich themselves and their supporters, aiming to control prices paid to colonists and charged to them.

What did the Peace of Westphalia establish?

It stabilized borders of belligerents and called on governments not to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, marking the beginning of the modern system of states.

What was the significance of the Hundred Years’ Peace?

From 1815 to 1914, it marked a period of cooperation and economic growth between major powers, leading to peaceful ties.

What was the Pax Britannica?

A period of relative calm and stability in Europe between 1815 and 1914, maintained by British hegemony.

How did free trade impact mercantilism during the 1800s?

The industrial revolution led to the displacement of mercantilist practices as trade grew significantly within advanced economies.

What is the Gold Standard?

A monetary system where the value of currency is defined in terms of gold, which facilitated tighter links in world markets.

Describe the impact of two world wars and the economic depression on Europe.

They led to a collapse of Europe's diplomatic balance and resulted in decades of global conflicts.

What were the main consequences of World War I?

It caused the loss of 15 million lives, brought economic hardship, and enabled the rise of extreme political movements.

What characterized the Cold War?

Conflicts between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, highlighting the clash between capitalist democracy and communist socialism.

What was the outcome of the Cold War by 1991?

The dissolution of the Soviet Union into independent non-communist countries and the emergence of the U.S. as the sole superpower.

Define Decolonization.

The process through which colonial possessions gained independence, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean from the 1940s to the 1960s.

What is the IR Game Board?

A conceptual framework where international actors shape and are shaped by their interactions as they seek security.

What is anarchic structure in international relations?

A system where no central authority governs international politics, meaning states operate with sovereignty.

Define interdependence in international relations.

The mutual connections that tie states and other actors together, fostering cooperation.

What is the security dilemma?

A situation where one state's defense efforts make other states feel less secure, possibly escalating tensions.

What distinguishes cooperation from bargaining?

Cooperation occurs when interactions benefit at least one actor without harming others, unlike bargaining where one’s gain is another's loss.

What is the Prisoner’s Dilemma?

A situation demonstrating that two individuals might not cooperate even if it appears that it's in their best interest.

What are public goods?

Products that are nonexcludable and nonrival in consumption, such as national defense.

What is iteration in international relations?

Repeated interactions among the same actors, which can build trust and cooperation.

What is coercion in the context of international relations?

A strategy of imposing costs on other actors to change their behavior.

What are the different types of wars?

Includes interstate war, civil war, conventional war, unconventional war, asymmetric war, and terrorism.

What motivates states to go to war according to the bargaining model?

Anarchy creates insecurities leading states to use military force to further their interests.

What leads to conflicts over territory?

Territory may have military, strategic, cultural, or resource value that contributes to conflicts.

What is crisis bargaining?

A bargaining interaction whose failure can lead to the use of military force.

What role do alliances play in international relations?

They help member states cooperate militarily and set standards for behavior during conflict.

What is the role of the United Nations in international politics?

It promotes peaceful outcomes between adversaries but often faces challenges in enforcement and effectiveness.

What are the three key challenges affecting the U.N.?

Anarchy, diversity of member states, and the complexity of tasks confronting it.

What is collective security?

An arrangement where states agree to take collective action against threats, aiming to promote peace.