Theories Exam 3

Final Exam

Which of the following advocates the idea that economic growth can be gunerated through protectine the environment?

c. Ecological modernization

When individuals are denied the capacity to meet their basic needs, this is referred to as:

Structural violence

For critical theorists, the drawing of the boundary between citizen and non-citizen can lead to which of the following consequences:

The construction of a limited moral community where obligations owed to citizens are

Poststructuralists conceptualize power is which of the following ways:

Power flows through a web of social and discursive networks

 By emphasizing the global North and the global South, postcolonial theorists assert which of the following:

Both A and B (Economic development in the North has been achieved at dispraportionate cost to the South & At the domestic level of analysis, the costs of development are externalized onto Economic development in the North has been achieved at disproportionate cost to the marginalized populations, even within the developed world)

Deconstruction is used to analyze which of the following: 

Both B and C ( Conceptual oppositions & Inherent hierarchies of privileged/marginalized)

A genealogical approach to the study of international relations emphasizes which of the following:

The relationship between power and the production of knowledge

Feminist theorists explain economic insecurity in which of the following ways:

Men's work is privileged over women's and compensated accordingly

Match: Emphasizes the struggle for recognition and the inequalities that are created when one party refuses or fails to recognize the dignity of the other party.

Critical Theory

Match: During times of conflict, a person's own country's military is often as much, if not more of, a threat than a foreign military forces.

Feminism

Match: Studies the limit attitude and the construction of inside/outside distinctions and the impact that these demarcations have on how actors interact with one another

Poststructuralism

Match:  Traditional Eurocentric IR theory has failed to account for the narratives of marginalized groups, which has contributed to injustice and inequality in international politics

Post colonialism

Match: Broadening the definition of security to include individuals at the domestic level is key to ensuring that marginalized groups are protected during times of conflict

Feminism

Match: The development of the Westphalian state system was made possible through the exploitation of the developing world.

Postcolonialism

Match: Understanding international politics requires a shift away from a human-centered world view.

Green theory

Identify: Myth of Protection

The idea that those in power (often men or the state) are natural “protectors” of vulnerable populations, which justifies authority and control. Feminist scholars argue this narrative reinforces gender hierarchies by portraying women as dependent and in need of protection, even when such protection can mask domination or violence

Identification: Orientalism

The way Western societies have historically depicted Eastern cultures as exotic, backward, and inferior in order to justify domination. Coined by Edward Said, it highlights how knowledge about the “East” was shaped by colonial power and stereotypes rather than objective reality. For instance, media portrayals of the Middle East as inherently violent can reinforce biased political attitudes.

Identification: Limits to growth

The idea that economic and population growth cannot continue indefinitely due to finite natural resources. Popularized by a 1972 report by the Club of Rome, it warns that unchecked growth leads to environmental degradation and potential societal collapse. For example, overconsumption of fossil fuels contributes to climate change and resource depletion.

Identification: Power/Knowledge

A concept developed by Michel Foucault that argues power and knowledge are deeply intertwined, with each shaping and reinforcing the other. What society accepts as “truth” is often produced by those in positions of power, which helps maintain their dominance. For example, medical or legal institutions define norms (such as what counts as “normal” behavior), influencing how people are treated.

Identification: Discourse Ethics

(Habermas) The idea that moral truths are established through rational communication and open dialogue among equals. It emphasizes that ethical norms are legitimate only if all affected individuals can participate freely and agree to them. For example, democratic deliberation in policymaking reflects discourse ethics when all voices are heard and considered.

Identification: Eclipse of Reason

The decline of critical, reflective thinking in favor of instrumental reasoning focused on efficiency and control. This shift prioritizes technical solutions over moral or philosophical considerations, often reinforcing domination. For example, using technology solely to maximize profit without considering social consequences reflects this “eclipse.”