IR 002: Lecture 7

Question 1

What is a theory?

Answer 1

General statement that describes and explains causes or effects of classes of phenomena

Question 2

Why do we use theories in International Relations?

Answer 2

-Provide frameworks of analysis to understand a complex world
-They help generate policy recommendations

Question 3

What is realism?

Answer 3

Oldest most popular theory of international relations that provides the best explanation for the outbreak of wars.

Question 4

What are the main assumptions of realism?

Answer 4

-States are the main actors
-Anarchy (states offer protection inside their borders
-There is no authority abroad
-Nobody to trust if there is a problem
-States live in constant insecurity and fear
-Alliances are temporary
-International organizations cannot be trusted
-States cannot advance their interest at the same time (always 1 loser and 1 winner)
-Constant struggle for power
-Humans are greedy and violent with no moral universal principles

Question 5

What examples used to support realism?

Answer 5

-(1983) Munich Agreement
-(1939) Soviet-German pact

Question 6

What is classical realism?

Answer 6

-Pessimism about human nature
-Self interest
-Survival

Question 7

What was E.H. Carrs’ “The Twenty Years’ Crisis” about?

Answer 7

-The league of nations was bound to fail
-Ideals are mere pretexts used by great powers to advance their agenda

Question 8

What was Hans Morgenthaus’ “Politics Among Nations” about?

Answer 8

-Human nature is bad and cannot be transcended
-States are rational units pursuing self interest (make cost-benefit analysis and want maximize power)

Question 9

What is neo-realism (Structural realism)?

Answer 9

-Structure matters more than human nature and other unit-level variables
-The structure of the systems determines the systems degree of stability (multipolar and unipolar are unstable and bipolar is stable)

Question 10

How would a neo-realist define power?

Answer 10

Power = the distribution of “capabilities” among states

Question 11

What is buck passing?

Answer 11

Letting other states do the heavy lifting to counter a rising power

Question 12

What is Bandwagoning?

Answer 12

Accepting the leadership of the strongest state

Question 13

What is Balancing?

Answer 13

Countering the rising power by increasing one’s own power

Question 14

What is internal balancing

Answer 14

building more national capabilities

Question 15

Wha tis external balancing

Answer 15

forming alliances

Question 16

How did India practice internal balancing with the rise of China?

Answer 16

-Raise the military budget
-More nuclear weapons
-More bases in the Indian Ocean

Question 17

How did India practice external balancing with the rise of China?

Answer 17

rapprochement with other Asians states that are afraid of China (US, Japan, Australia, etc.)

Question 18

What is the hegemonic stability theory?

Answer 18

-1 hegemon = 1 dominant state
-When there is a clear hegemon there is more international stability

Question 19

What is the power transition theory?

Answer 19

-Rising states want leadership
-Dominant states try to retain No. 1 (war is likely)

Question 20

What is the security dilemma?

Answer 20

When many of the means by which a state tries to increase its security decrease the security of others