EXAM 2 Flashcards
What role does self-help play in the American system according to realists?
Realists respond to the anarchic world system by assuming a “self-help” doctrine, believing they can rely on no one but themselves for security.
What role does polarity play in the international system according to realists?
It determines the possibilities of war
How does the polarity of a system affect alliances and war?
It determines the distribution of capabilities of where material is held among states in the international system
Why do some new realist claim that the bipolar system is the most peaceful?
Both sides are able to moderate the use of violence and possibly destabilize changes that emanate from uses of violence they can’t control
What is multilateralism?
the conduct of international activity by 3 or more states in accord with shared general principles
What are the three different conceptions of change of the international system according to liberals?
- interdependence
- international order
- Neoliberal Institutionalism
What is power according to a constructivist?
the ability to persuade when deliberating or arguing with others and legitimacy
What is meant by the constructivist claim - anarchy is what we make of it?
It’s socially constructed
What are the sources of change in the international system according to liberal thinkers? Realists? Constructivists?
- Technological development, changes in relative importance of different areas, new actors replacing old actors
- Technological development, changing the quantity of actors, states growing at uneven rates, and the possibly of war
- Change in norms
How might realists, liberals, and constructivists interpret the Russian-Ukrainian conflict?
R: Shifting of Ukraine’s power to the west and Russia invaded Crimea to stop that
L: Russia invaded because Ukraine-EU trade deal would make Ukraine more dependent on the West than Russia
C: Russia invaded because it wanted to stop western norms going into its sphere of influence
What is hegemonic stability and how might it provide for peace?
A single state having all the power will maintain peace in IR.
What might stabilize a multipolar system and keep it from heading into war?
norms of competition, cooperation, and shifting, alliances are used between states to keep order
What accounts for the different power of states over time according to Robert Gilpin?
Growth at uneven rates
What are some examples of exogenous shifts?
Invention of the airplane, space exploration, and invention of the Internet
What is the joint comprehensive plan of action for Iran?
A compromise plan between Iran, the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council, and EU that Iran would stop producing nuclear weapons in exchange for the lifting of costly economic sanctions
What is the relationship between unipolarity and war?
It makes other states want to overthrow the leading actor if they only act in their own interests
What are the natural sources of power?
Geographic size, natural resources, and populations
What are the tangible sources of power?
Military and infrastructure
What are the intangible sources of power?
Popularity, word of mouth, respect, and voter turnout
How does soft power differ from hard power?
It does not use military, but it uses economics to influence other nations
According to Margaret Hermann, what are the personality characteristics that affect foreign policy behavior?
Nationalism, ability to control events, need for power, levels of distrust, and levels of conceptual complexity
What are some of the psychological mechanisms used to process information?
Relying on existing perceptions
Does the mass public have anything in common with the elites?T
They both use methods to process info and they’re psychologically similar
Does the mass public have anything in common with the elites?
yes, it affect the abillity to wokr
Can the mass public influence international relations separately from the elites?
yes
How do the different paradigms in IR differ on the role of the individual in international relations?
They’re predictable
What makes up the modern state?
Permanently settled people, living in a legally defined territory under a single national government, and capability of conducting foreign relations with other states
Do most states meet international law defined characteristics of a state?
yes
What is a nation? Are states and nations the same? What is a nation state?
A group of people sharing a common language, history, or culture
No
the entity formed when people sharing the same historical, cultural, or linguistic roots form their own state with borders, a government, and international recognition
Why does China dispute Taiwan’s status?
Taiwan claims to be the legit gov of all of China as ROC while mainland China claims Taiwan to be part of the PRC
What are some of the issues in the dispute over territory in the Palestine region?
Some recognize it as Palestine while others recognize it as Israel
What is the realist view of the state?
emphasizes the role of the nation-state
What is the liberal view of the state?
a positive view of human nature.
What is the radical view of the state?
associated with denunciation of traditional social and political values.
What is the constructivist view of the state?
states can have multiple identities that are socially constructed through interaction with other actors.
Why do realists discount personalities or style of governing when considering the individual level of analysis?
