International studies test

Political Science

The study of politics, government, and how power works in society.

Comparative Politics

The area of Political Science that compares governments and political systems across countries.

International Relations (IR)

The study of how countries interact with each other.

Political Theory

Examines ideas about politics, justice, and power.

Public Administration

Focuses on government operations and management.

Public Policy

Looks at how governments make and enforce laws.

Political Economy

Studies how politics and economics influence each other.

Realism

An International Relations theory that states the world is competitive, and countries seek power to stay safe.

Liberalism

An International Relations theory that believes cooperation, democracy, and international organizations help maintain peace.

Constructivism

a theory that people construct knowledge through their experiences and interactions with others

Treaty of Westphalia (1648)

Established modern countries with borders and sovereignty.

Thucydides Trap

A situation in which a rising power threatens an existing one, making war likely.

Security Dilemma

When one country builds up its military for protection, causing others to do the same and increasing tensions.

Polarity

The balance of power in the world.

Unipolarity

A system with one dominant power.

Bipolarity

A system with two major powers.

Multipolarity

A system with multiple powerful countries.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek thinker who wrote about power struggles.

Machiavelli

A thinker who believed leaders should be feared, not loved, to maintain control.

Hobbes

A philosopher who thought life without government would be chaotic and violent.

Neorealism (Structural Realism)

The theory that international relations are shaped by the system, not human nature.

Offensive Realists

Believe countries always seek to gain more power.

Defensive Realists

Believe countries seek security but do not always try to dominate.

Balancing

Joining forces to counter a stronger power.

Bandwagoning

Siding with a stronger power for protection or benefits.

Internal Balancing

Strengthening one’s own military.

External Balancing

Forming alliances to enhance security.

Waltz's View on Nuclear Weapons

Believed that nuclear weapons prevent wars due to the threat of mutual destruction.

Iran & Nuclear Weapons

Waltz argued that if Iran had nuclear weapons, it would stabilize the Middle East by deterring attacks.