challenges midterms

1. 1 one reason why political scientists generally developed theories is

-to understand the cost of events

2. the three most prominent theoretical approaches used to study international relations are

-realism liberalism and constructivism

3. Thucydides concluded that the underlying cause of the Peloponnesian war was

-the changing distribution of power between Athens and Sparta

#4 which of the following is true of the treaties of Westphalia

-They created the rights of states to determine their own domestic policies after the 30 years war

#5 as part of the 19th century balance of power system in Europe,

-alliances were formed to counteract potentially more powerful factions

#6 the idea that states will hesitate to start a war with an adversary whose power to fight and win in war is similar to their own underpins the concept of

-balance of power

#7 among the factors leading to an end to Europe’s balance of power system under the concert of Europe was

-the solidification of previously flexible alliances between the European wars

8. The ultimate failure of the League of Nations to accomplish its mandate can be attributed to which of the following factors

-the league lacked the needed political weight legal and enforceable instruments

#9 the most important outcome of the World War 2 was

- the emergence of two superpowers and the decline of Europe as the epicenter of world politics

10 the idea that the international system is anarchic as posited by realist means that

-There is an absence of an overarching authority in the international system

11. Realist argue that states concerned with relative gains will undermine international cooperation what do they mean by this

-states will be reluctant to cooperate even for mutual gain because their partners may benefit more gaining additional power to use against them in the future

12. The fact that India's development of nuclear weapons made Pakistan less secure leading it to pursue nuclear weapons as well illustrates

-The security dilemma

13. Following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 Libya’s choice to abandon its efforts to acquire nuclear chemical and biological weapons in order to hedge against potential aggression from the United states is an example of

-offensive realists argument that periodically fighting a war can intimidate potential rivals into bandwagoning with it

14. Hegemonic stability theorists argue that stability in the international system is most likely when

-The most powerful state uses its power to enforce norms to ensure the continuation of the system

15. Realist attribute changes in the international system to

-Changes in the power relationship among the main actors in the system

Q2

1.       that individuals are rational and capable of collective action that can help moderate or eliminate aggression is one of the central tenets of the foundations of

-Liberal thinking

2. Many liberal theorists believe that ______and _____ can reduce the likelihood of war

- institutions and free trade

3. Democratic peace theory argues that

- Democracies are unlikely to go to war with other democracies

4. Constructivist theory has

- Focus its attention primarily on social norms ideas and practices

5. Which of the following is true about theorist view of state interest?

-constructivist believe those interests are not based on material factors

6. Dependency theory argues that

-the inequality of developed and developing countries remain as they are or is intensifying over time

7. A realist explanation for the Russia Ukraine conflict in 2014 would highlight

-Russia's concern about security because of the potential shift in balance of the power in favor of the West

8. To what does the term polarity of the international system refer

-The distribution of capabilities among states in the international system

9. a norm of the balance of power -multipolar system

-alliances are formed for a specific purpose and a short duration and shift according to advantage

10. Which of the following perspective includes theorists that see the international system as characterized by order which governs states behavior by means of shared rules and principles

-Liberalism

11. According to constructivist

-Anarchy can lead to different outcomes at different times

12. Which of the following perspective view states as pluralist or cooperative arenas to manage the competition of various governmental and societal interests

Liberalism

13. Personality characteristics affect the leadership of ________more than ________because the former is less likely to be checked by institutions than the latter

-Dictators; democratic leaders

14. The psychological bias that leads individuals to select or amplify information that supports their existing beliefs and ignore or downplay contradictory information is called

-Cognitive consistency

15. It is an example of mirror imaging

-Americans and the USSR inherently viewed each other as hostile and untrustworthy during the Cold War

 1. Theories & Material/Non-material Factors

• Realism: Focuses on material factors like power and security; sees states as self-interested actors in an anarchic world.

• Liberalism: Concerned with material factors such as economic cooperation, international organizations, and rule-based systems.

• Constructivism: Focuses on non-material factors like ideas, identities, and social norms that shape state behavior.

2. What is Polarity?

• Polarity: Refers to the distribution of power among states.

  • Unipolar: One dominant power.

  • Bipolar: Two major powers.

  • Multipolar: Multiple significant powers.

3. Realism vs. Liberalism

• Realism: Focuses on national power and security; diplomacy and state security matter; “What’s good for us is good for all.”

• Liberalism: Focuses on cooperation, international organizations (e.g., trade, rule adherence), and the benefits of working together.

4. Decision-Making Models & IR Theories

• Rational Model: Realism (States make decisions based on rational assessment of power).

• Bureaucratic Politics Model: Liberalism (Decisions emerge from a bureaucratic process where various actors influence outcomes).

• Pluralist Model: Liberalism (Focuses on various interest groups and organizations affecting state decisions).

5. Statecraft

• Statecraft: The umbrella term for the ways in which states engage with each other through diplomacy, interactions, and negotiations.

6. Arms Embargo:

• Arms Embargo: A type of sanction where the supply of weapons to a state or group is prohibited.

7. Types of Sanctions

• Smart Sanctions: Targeted sanctions aimed at specific individuals or groups.

• Arms Control: Efforts to reduce the number of weapons to enhance global security.

8. Rational Model: Cost-Benefit Weighing

• Rational Model: Weighing the costs and benefits of a decision, focusing on maximizing benefits and minimizing costs.

9. Who Can Declare War?

• Sovereign State/Governing Body (e.g., UN): Only sovereign states or recognized authorities can legally declare war.

10. Deterrence:

• Deterrence: The strategy of preventing war or aggression through the threat of retaliation.

  • Arms Control: Reducing weaponry to lower the likelihood of war.

  • Collective Security: A group of states agreeing to defend each other against aggression.

11. Jus in Bello and Jus ad Bellum

• Jus in Bello: Rules governing how war is fought; focuses on ethical conduct during warfare.

• Jus ad Bellum: Criteria for when it is justifiable to go to war; focuses on the justification for war itself.

   International Relations Theories

·       Realism: States are driven by power and self-interest in an anarchic international system.

Defensive Realism: Advocates balancing power and maintaining security through restraint (e.g., limiting mistrust among states).

Offensive Realism: Argues that states sometimes engage in aggressive policies to intimidate or coerce rivals.

   Liberalism: : Emphasizes cooperation, institutions, interdependence, and shared rules and values as central to international order.

   Examples: Arms control, collective security, and public diplomacy are viewed through a liberal lens.

Constructivism: Focuses on how identities, social norms, and ideas shape state behavior rather than just material factors.

o    Examples: How national identities or shared cultural values can influence diplomacy.

Other Perspectives:

o    Radicalism & Pluralism: Some questions contrast views of the state as an arena for competing interests (pluralist model) versus unitary, rational actors.

B.  Strategic Concepts in IR

·       Polarity:  Understand the concept of power distribution (unipolar, bipolar, multipolar) and its impact on global stability.

·       Deterrence vs. Compellence:

o    Deterrence: Involves convincing an adversary that the costs of a particular action outweigh the benefits (e.g.,

threats of retaliation).

o    Compellence: Seeks to force an adversary to change its behavior, often through the threat or use of force.

·       Sanctions and Arms Control:

o    Negative/Smart Sanctions: Targeted measures aimed at specific groups or behaviors.

o    Arms Control: The logic that reducing weaponry can enhance security.

C.  Decision-Making Models in Foreign Policy

·       Rational Model:

o    Treats the state as a unitary actor that makes decisions based on cost-benefit analyses.

·       Bureaucratic Politics Model:

o    Emphasizes that policy is the outcome of negotiations among various government agencies.

·       Pluralist Model:

·       Argues that multiple societal interests and actors influence foreign policy.

D.  Just War Theory

·       Jus ad Bellum:

o    Criteria for entering a war (e.g., just cause, legitimate authority).

·       Jus in Bello:

o    Principles governing conduct during war (e.g., proportionality, distinction between combatants and noncombatants).

E.  Contemporary Issues

·       Cyberwarfare:

o    Examine debates on when a cyberattack constitutes an “armed attack” under international law and the challenges it poses for traditional deterrence.

F. Levels of Analysis

·       System Level:

o    Focuses on the international structure (anarchy, power distribution).

·       State Level:

o    Considers domestic politics, institutions, and internal dynamics.

·       Individual Level:

o    Emphasizes the role of leaders and individual decision-making.