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International relations Flashcards

1
Q

What is the primary distinction between Realist theory and Idealism?

A

Realist theory is grounded in science and logic, while Idealism is a philosophical approach.

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2
Q

What do realists criticize about idealists?

A

Realists argue idealists are ‘utopian’ or not realistic.

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3
Q

What are the major flaws of Realism according to Liberalism?

A
  • Static over time
  • Does not explain cooperation
  • Does not explain change well
  • Only explains short-term gains
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4
Q

What are the five principles that Liberalism is generally based on?

A
  • Law
  • Morality
  • Economics
  • Institutions
  • Collective Security
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5
Q

In one word, what do liberals emphasize?

A

Cooperation

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6
Q

What is the fundamental problem that liberals identify regarding state behavior?

A

The Gains debate

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7
Q

Fill in the blank: For liberals, states seek _______ gains.

A

absolute

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8
Q

What is the primary difference between Neorealism and Neoliberalism regarding institutions?

A

Neorealism focuses on distribution of power, while Neoliberalism emphasizes the importance of institutions.

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9
Q

What is the main argument of Robert Keohane’s ‘After Hegemony’?

A

Institutions matter in international relations.

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10
Q

What is the logic of the Prisoner’s Dilemma in the context of Realism?

A

Defection is the dominant strategy.

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11
Q

What is the Nash Equilibrium?

A

A situation where no player can benefit by changing their strategy while the other players keep theirs unchanged.

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12
Q

What does the term ‘Collective Security’ refer to?

A

All states contribute to security based on their relative capabilities.

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13
Q

What is the difference between Monadic and Dyadic Democratic Peace theories?

A
  • Monadic: Democracies fight wars
  • Dyadic: Few instances of democracies fighting each other
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14
Q

What is Critical Theory in the context of International Relations?

A

A critique of positivism and traditional cause-and-effect relationships.

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15
Q

According to Alexander Wendt, what is the central argument of Constructivism?

A

Anarchy is what states make of it.

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16
Q

What do constructivists believe about the nature of power politics?

A

Power politics and self-help are social constructions rather than inevitable outcomes.

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17
Q

Fill in the blank: Constructivism critiques _______ and rationalism.

A

Realism

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18
Q

What do norms represent in Constructivist theory?

A

Socially constructed rules that influence state behavior.

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19
Q

What is the significance of identity in Constructivism?

A

Identity shapes the interests and actions of states.

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20
Q

True or False: Neoliberalism and Neorealism share the same assumptions about actors in international relations.

A

True

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21
Q

What is the ‘Collective Action Problem’?

A

A situation where individuals have incentives to free ride on the efforts of others.

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22
Q

What role do institutions play in Neoliberalism?

A

They are critical in facilitating cooperation and explaining absolute gains.

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23
Q

What does the term ‘linkage’ refer to in international relations?

A

The connection between different issues that influences state actions.

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24
Q

What is the subfield of Political Science that studies international relations?

A

International Relations (IR)

IR is considered a social science.

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25
What are the main issue areas or subfields of International Relations?
* Security studies * International Political Economy (IPE) * Theory
26
What is the goal of International Relations theory?
* Logic and debate * Solve or predict problems to improve the world * Generalizability
27
What should a theory provide in International Relations?
* Causal explanation * Use empirical evidence * Solid and coherent core logic
28
In the context of causation, what do the independent variable (X) and dependent variable (Y) represent?
X is the cause, Y is the effect
29
What is parsimony in the context of International Relations theory?
Explain with the smallest number of variables
30
What does falsifiability mean in social science theories?
All theories can be falsified because they are social in nature
31
What is theoretical degeneration?
Adding to the independent variable weakens the explanation and parsimony
32
What is the key unit of analysis in International Relations?
The State
33
Define anarchy in the context of International Relations.
No higher authority over a state
34
When did the modern sovereign state system officially begin?
Treaty of Westphalia in 1648
35
What are the three levels of analysis in International Relations?
* Individual Level * Domestic Level * Structural/Systemic Level
36
What does the individual level of analysis focus on?
Great man theory of international relations
37
What is the focus of the domestic level of analysis?
Causal factors within the state such as domestic politics and regime change
38
What does the structural/systemic level of analysis emphasize?
System-wide causes such as power and interdependence
39
Who is Kenneth Waltz and what is his contribution to International Relations?
He notes the levels of causation and favors the structural level in his work 'Man, the State, and War'
40
List four types of non-state actors in International Relations.
* Multinational corporations * Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) * Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) * International organizations (IOs)
41
What historical event marked the transition from religious to secular political units?
Treaty of Westphalia in 1648
42
What major global event followed the Interwar Period?
Second World War
43
What is the significance of Joseph Lepgold in the context of International Relations?
He discusses the theory-policy debate.
44
Fill in the blank: The independent variable is the essence of cause, what truly produces the _______.
dependent outcomes
45
True or False: The structural/systemic level of analysis is divided into interstate and global levels according to NAU.
True
46
What major global event is associated with proxy wars?
Post September 11th
47
What does the Theory of Realism generally say about international politics?
Changes and shifts or 'balances' of material power amongst actors cause international politics to happen ## Footnote This includes shifts in relative power that lead to war, trade, negotiation, conflict, and cooperation.
48
Define 'paradigm' in the context of realism.
A set of practices that define a scientific discipline at any particular period.
49
What are the two ways realism is considered a paradigm?
* A collection of strong theories that share basic assumptions and an independent variable * The most accepted and critiqued theoretical tradition in IR.
50
What is the significance of power in classical realism?
Power matters a lot; it is an end in itself and rooted in the balance of power.
51
List the primary measures of power for realists.
* Material * Military * Economic
52
What do realists believe is the biggest problem in international relations?
Uncertainty.
53
Name three historical figures associated with the roots of realism.
* Thucydides * Machiavelli * Hobbes
54
What are the core assumptions of classical realism?
* States are rational actors * States seek to have more power * Balance of power is a key determinant of international politics.
55
In classical realism, what is power considered?
Both an end and a means.
56
What is the main focus of neorealism according to Kenneth Waltz?
The introduction of a more scientific approach, focusing on systemic factors rather than individual intentions.
57
What do neorealists seek instead of power?
Security.
58
How does neorealism differ from classical realism?
* Neorealism focuses on security as the means to an end, not power as an end itself. * Neorealism operates on a systemic level of analysis.
59
What is 'self-help' in the context of realism?
The reliance on one's own capabilities for security and survival in an anarchic international system.
60
What is the concept of polarity in international relations?
Polarity refers to the distribution of power in the international system, which can be multipolar, bipolar, or unipolar.
61
What are the two behaviors states may adopt regarding alliances?
* Balancing behavior * Bandwagoning
62
What are the three main problems of realism?
* Tends to be static, not considering trends over time * Long-term changes are not well explained * Explains conflict but not cooperation.
63
Define the security dilemma.
A situation where the increase in security/power of one state may create fear in another state, leading to an arms race.
64
What does realism argue against?
Idealism.
65
What theory does realism excel at explaining?
Conflict.
66
What is the Nash equilibrium in the context of the Prisoner's Dilemma?
A situation where no player can achieve a better outcome with a unilateral move.
67
What is social science theory?
general logical explanations of social phenomena
68
IR theory is..?
explanations that can be generally applied across cases: logical, with good, empirical evidence

Biological concepts final exam (2 decks)

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