International Relations Mid-Term

Question 1

The study of IR

Answer 1

What conflicts make conflict/cooperation more or less likely
- probability rather than certainty

Question 2

International System
1.
2.
3.

Answer 2

1. Relevant actors
2. Methods of study and analysis
3. Theoretical frameworks

Question 3

Relevant actors (3 key actors)

Answer 3

1. States
2. International organizations (IO’s)
3. Non-governmental organizations (NGO’s)

Question 4

States

Answer 4

main aspect
states want to protect their sovereignity
power
key characteristics differ across theories

Question 5

IO’s (International organizations)

Answer 5

why would a state create/join IO’s?
- centralization and independece

Question 6

NGO’s (non-governmental organizations)

Answer 6

Information-generating

Question 7

Methods of study and analysis

Answer 7

1. Systemic
2. Dyadic
3. Monadic

Question 8

Systemic

Answer 8

structure of the system
- realism
- neoliberal inst.
- constructivism

Question 9

Dyadic

Answer 9

interactions of states (rivalries, etc)
- democratic peace
- territory
- int. security
- constructivism

Question 10

Monadic

Answer 10

characteristics of individual states
- democratic peace
- foreign policy
- national security

Question 11

International security

Answer 11

bigger picture (instability)

Question 12

National security

Answer 12

individual states

Question 13

Human security

Answer 13

individuals and communities and their well-being

Question 14

Theoretical frameworks

Answer 14

Realism
Liberalism (neoliberalism inst.)
Hieratical approaches
Constructivism
Critical approaches
Bargaining framework of war
Dyadic factors

Question 15

Realism

Answer 15

~ key assumption = the international system in anarchic, meaning no central factor enforcing anything
~ key actors = states (they are concerned with their survival)
~ key characteristics = material capabilities
~ conclusion = states have incentives and are pressured to compete rather than cooperate
~ anarchy is constant
~ states improve their material capabilities to ward off rivalries
~ competition instead of conclusion

Question 16

Deterrence theory

Answer 16

decrease war

Question 17

Spiral model

Answer 17

increase likelihood

Question 18

Neoliberalism institutionalism

Answer 18

~ key assumption = the international system in anarchic
~ key actors = states
~ key characteristics = concerned with “cheating” therefore states create a collection of institutions to foster independence and reduce “cheating”
~ conclusion = under certain conditions states are incentivized to cooperate with one another
~ reaches a different conclusion than realism

Question 19

Liberalism

Answer 19

~ key critique = certain state characteristics can help overcome the pressures of anarchy
~ key actors = states
~ key elements = economic interdependence, democracy, and international institutions
~ conclusion = cooperation is possible under certain conditions
~ more optimistic about cooperation

Question 20

Hegemonic stability/power transition

Answer 20

~ key critique = hierarchies can be created in the international system
~ key actors = states
~ key element = hegemons approach to the international system
~ conclusion - in a unipolar system with an involved hegemon, stability is feasible. however, instability increased as a rising power hegemon challenged states
~ the most stable system; unless a challenger state is moving toward them

Question 21

Constructivism

Answer 21

~ key critique = the structure and pressures of the international system emerge as the intersubjective meanings of states. change is feasible in the international system
~ key actors = individuals, groups, and states
~ key mechanisms = ideas, discourse, norms, and taboos
~ conclusion = the likelihood of conflict and cooperation depends on the identity of states and their perspectives

Question 22

Critical approaches

Answer 22

Marxists approach
feminist approach
post-colonial approach

Question 23

Bargaining framework of war

Answer 23

~ look at war as a tool for state to pursue their process
~ states are rational actors
~ war is a tool to pursue state interest; war is costly
~ wars are limited; therefore states should be able to negotiate an end to a dispute without resorting to war

Question 24

Dyadic factors

Answer 24

regime type
- democratic peace
territory
- most salient
- territorial disputes seem particularly prone to conflict

Question 25

Rivalries

Answer 25

most conflict prone states

Question 26

economic factors

Answer 26

certain theories suggest economic factors could increase the likelihood of conflict

Question 27

conflict negotiation processes

Answer 27

• negotiations
• non-binding third-party process
• arbitration
• adjudication