1-Approaches to International Relations

Question 1

How many states are recognized in the world today?

Answer 1

193

Question 2

How do you define international relations?

Answer 2

subfield of political science

study of the interactions among the various actors that participate in international politics

interdisciplinary field, e.g., history, philosophy, economics

Question 3

How do you define realism?

Answer 3

• States exist in an anarchic international system, i.e., no authority higher than the state
• States define national interests in terms of power; the distribution of power defines the structure of the
  international system
• States base policies on (interpretations) national interests

Question 4

How do you define liberalism?

Answer 4

• Based in the belief that human nature is basically good

- Individuals cooperate as groups and states

Question 5

How do you define constructivism?

Answer 5

• Ideas and social factors are the key structures in the state system
• These are ever-changing

Question 6

What is behavioralism?

Answer 6

• Individuals and groups act in predictable ways
• Scientist can study this behavior to describe, explain, and predict behavior, e.g., develop hypotheses and empirically test those hypotheses

Question 7

What does normative mean?

Answer 7

• Normative questions deal with what is moral, what should be, rather that what is