Basic overzicht IR theories

Question 1

Realism
Core beliefs

Answer 1

self-interested states compete for power and security

Question 2

realism
key actors in international relations

Answer 2

states, which behave similarly regardless of their type of government

Question 3

realism main instruments

Answer 3

military power and state diplomacy

Question 4

realism
theory’s intelectual blind spots

Answer 4

doesn’t account for progress and change in international relations or understanding that legitimacy can be a source of military power

Question 5

realism
what it explains about the post 9/11 world

Answer 5

why the US responded aggressively to terrorist attacks: the inability of international institutions to restrain military superiority

Question 6

realism
what it fails to explain about the post 9/11 world

Answer 6

the failure of smaller powers to military balance the US

the importance of non-state actors such as Al Qaeda

intense US focus on democratization

Question 7

liberalism core beliefs

Answer 7

spread of democracy, global economic ties and international organizations will strenghten peace

Question 8

liberalism key actors in IR

Answer 8

states, internatinoal institutions and commercial interests

Question 9

liberalism main instruments

Answer 9

international institutions and global commerce

Question 10

Liberalisms intellectual spots

Answer 10

fails to understand that democratic regimes survive only if they safeguard military power and security

some liberals forget that transitions to democracy are sometimes violent

Question 11

what liberalism explains about the post 9/11 world

Answer 11

why spreading democracy has become such an integral part of current US international security strategy

Question 12

what liberalism fails to explain about the post 9/11 world

Answer 12

why the US has failed to work with other democracies through internatinoal organizations

Question 13

idealism/constructivism core beliefs

Answer 13

internatinoal politcs is shaped by persuasive ideas collective values, culture and social identities

Question 14

idealism/constructivism key actors in ir

Answer 14

promotors of new ideas, transnational activist networks, nongovernmental organizations

Question 15

idealism/constructivism main instruments

Answer 15

ideas and values

Question 16

idealism/constructivism intellectual blindspots

Answer 16

doesn’t explain which power structures and social conditions allow for changes in values

Question 17

idealism/constructivism what it explains about the post 9/11 world

Answer 17

increasing role of polemics about values, the importance of transnational political networks

Question 18

idealism/constructivism fails to explain about the post 9/11 world

Answer 18

why human rights abuses continue despite intense activism for humanitarian norms and efforts for international justice

Question 19

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and realism

Answer 19

• self-interested character of elites and states
• centrality of power

but postcolonial/decolonial
- system as hierarchical and imperal rather than anarchic and sovereign
- power as much more multifaceted

Question 20

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and liberalism

Answer 20

agree that cooperation is possible and durable

but decolonialism/postcolonialism
cooperation is only generally among developed/civilized states for the purposes of securing their privileges

Question 21

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and marxism

Answer 21

capitalism is a major organizing structure in world politics + its tendencies are exploitative and immiserating

but:
decolonialism/postcolonialism
emphasize roles of racialization and colonial expansion in determining the character and pattern of exploitation

Question 22

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and feminism

Answer 22

patriarchy is a major element in structuring world politics

but postcolonialism/decolonialism:
gender intersects with race, class and nationality in producing structures of power/entitlement

Question 23

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and constructivism

Answer 23

world is socially constructed in important ways

but postcolonialism and decolonialism emphasize the asymmetric, colonial and purposive character of these constructions

Question 24

similarities + differences postcolonial and decolonial and poststructuralism

Answer 24

• knowledge and power intertwine
• idea of meaning as being intertextually produced

but decolonialism/postcolonialism
- emphasize material as well as discursive character of oppression
- importance of strategic essentialism in advancing critical claims