IR Exam 2-10/27 Flashcards
What is true about the classification of the world?
- a rich North:
North America, Western Europe, Parts of Asia - a poor South:
Africa, Central and Latin America, Parts of Asia
What is true about the Liberal Democratic state?
- (temperate fruit)
- developed countries —> liberal compromise
- democracies, capitalist economies —> liberal democratic state
What is true about over politicized states?
- (tropical fruit)
- developing or underdeveloped countries
- authoritarian, command economies
- weak democracies, and fragile capitalist economies
What are first world countries?
- democracies
What are second world countries?
- non western democracies
What are third world democracies?
- neutral/non-aligned-power–politically unreliable
What is true about Europe today?
- advanced, prosperous
–1/4 of world economy - democracy, peace and stability
What is the keyword for Europe?
- “Advanced”
Who were the actors during the Cold War?
- Eastern Europe (The Soviet Union)
- Warsaw Pact
- Western Europe (The U.S.)
What is true of Europe during the Cold War (1945-1991)
- NATO & Marshall Plan
- Power balance & peace
- arms race vs. reduction
- nuclear deterrance
What is true of Europe after the Cold War (1991-2023/Present)?
- European Union (27 members)
- Eurozone (20 members)
- Expansion of NATO (31 members)
- The Schengen Zone (27 members)
What does Dr. Kim think about NATO’s expansion?
- It provoked Russia to invade Ukraine
What are challenges that are posed to Europe in the present day?
- The Russian War in Ukraine
- Aging population
- Migrants from the Middle East
- Ethnic conflicts
- Future of the European Integration
- “The United States of Europe” vs. “The United Europe of States”
What is true about Turkey and its name?
- Erdogan wants Turkey to be called Turkiye
What is the “story of contrasts” that make up East Asia & the Pacific?
- democracy vs. autocracy
- market vs. command economy
– prosperity vs. poverty - large vs. small
– land, population, and economy - Homogenity vs. multiethnicity
- American allies vs. foes
What are commonalities of East Asian states?
- long history & rich culture (Confucianism)
- forced opening & modernization
- imperialism & colonialism (Japanese brutality)
- economic miracles
- Chinese economic miracles
- Chinese & American influence
What is true of the East Asian Economic miracle?
- Japans economic miracle (1960’s-1980’s)
- Asian four tigers (Taiwan, Hong-Kong, Singapore, Myanmar) (1970’s-1980’s)
- China’s economic trasnformation and peaceful rise (1990’s-2023)
What is true of China’s economic transformation?
- economic liberalization
— an average of 9.5% - 9.9% growth in GDP (1979-2011)
—- 600–800 million escaped poverty
—— average GDP per capital is 1/4th of the U.S.
What are internal factors for China’s economic miracle?
- authoritarian rule (developmental state model)
- culture
- education
- laborforce
- national character
What are external factors for China’s economic miracle?
- security umbrella
- liberal economic order
- export oriented policy
- western markets
- American alliance & deterrance
What is true about the Korean Peninsula dilemma?
- as the saying goes “When whales fight the backs of shrimp break”
– 35,000 U.S. troops are within South Korea currently
What are external factors to China’s century of humiliation and peaceful rise?
- the first opium war (1839-1842)
- the second opium war (1856-1860)
- the 1st Sino-Japanese War (1894-1895)
- the 2nd Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945)
What are the internal factors to China’s century of humiliation, and peaceful rise?
- the Taiping rebellion (1850–1864)
- the Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901)
–peasant uprising against western powers and Christians - Demise of dynastic rule (1911)
- A failed Republican experiment (1912)
- the civil war (1927-1949)
- National divide (PRC vs. ROC)
What has occurred in China’s “rise”?
- China’s entry into the WTO in 2001
- Socialism with Chinese characteristics
- Spheres of influence through the BRI and AIIB
- Claim on the South China Sea
- Intensified rivalry with the U.S.
What is true about Sino-American relations over the years?
- 1947–1970: open hostility
- 1970’s–1980’s: rapproachment
- 1990’s–2010’s: economic partnership
- today: economic ties and confrontation
What is true about Ping Pong diplomacy?
- eased tensions between the U.S. and China
- President Nixon went to China in 1972
– the “week that changed the world”
– American Presidents bounded themselves to the “One China policy”
What are some territorial disputes between East Asian and nearby countries?
- Russia vs. Japan over the Kurril Islands
- China vs. India & South Korea
- Dokdo Island dispute between Japan & Korea in East Sea/Sea of Japan
What countries are apart of South Asia?
- India
- Nepal
- Pakistan
- Sri Lanka
- Bangladesh
- Bhutan
- Afghanistan
- Maldives
What is the keyword for south asia?
- “disintegration”
What are some characteristics of the South Asian region?
- it makes up 25% of the worlds population
- most densely populated region
- India is the most populous country (2023)
What is true about the religion of the South Asian region?
- the birthplace of Buddhism and Hinduism
- large Muslim populations: India, Bangladesh, & Pakistan
- c.f. Indonesia, has single largest Muslim population (13%)
What is true about European and British influence in the South Asian region?
- The partition in 1947 –India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
– Security concerns:- nuclear standoff between India (1974) and Pakistan (1998)
- tripatriate conflict over Kashmir
What is true about India and China?
- Population: India is larger–denser
- Economy: China is 5 times bigger (economically)
What are the challenges to the South Asian region?
- political: instability and military conflicts
- population
- poverty and inequality
- climate change impacts
- rising sea levels (bangladesh & maldives)
- increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters such as floods
– changes in monsoon seasons affecting agriculture
What is true about the term “the near east” or “far east”?
- these terms aren’t used to refer to the middle east, as they are a eurocentric way to describe this region
What is the keyword for the middle east?
- complex
What are characteristics of the middle east?
- population of 450 million (1/3 of the China’s)
- conflicts and violence
- autocratic or hereditary monarchies
- lack of democracy and human rights
- oil-dependent economies
What is the importance of the middle east?
- energy; oil, petroleum, natural gas
- terrorism
- religion: Christianity, Judaism, Islam
What is true about OPEC?
- stands for: the Organization of the Petroleum exporting countries
- created in 1960
- founding members are; Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela
- it coordinates and writes the petroleum policies of its member countries
- it’s an INGO (non-regional)
- like a guild
- now has 13 members
How was OPEC involved in the oil shock of the 1970s? (1973, 1974)
- the proclamation of oil embargo
- a political weapon against Israels Yom Kippur war in 1973
- an economic sanction against those who supported Israel
- oil prices rose almost 300% by March 1974
– the need to develop alternative energy resulted
—-showcased the power of OPEC
What are challenges to the Middle East?
- poor governance
- authoritarian rule
- unemployment
- conflicts & violence
- human rights abuses
- uncertainty of future democracy
- regional rivalry
– Israel–Palestine conflict
– Saudi-Iranian coldwar - refugees
What is true about the Israel-Palestinian conflict?
- Zionism movement in late 19th–early 20th century
– Theodor Herzl “The Jewish state” - a nationalist movement in response to anti-semitism
- the goal of establishing a Jewish homeland in Palestine
- displacement and oppression of Palesitinans
What is the Balfour declaration?
- issued in 1917
- public statement of the establishment of a “national home” for the Jewish people in Palestine
What is true of the UN’s partition plan of Palestine in 1947?
- an Arab state
- a Jewish state
- Jerusalem as an international enclave
What is true about Israel’s independence & statehood in 1948?
- withdrawal of Britain forces
- war against Israel led by Zagreb state on May 14, 1948
What is true about the Six day war?
- Israel captured Gaza Strip, Sinai peninsula, in Egypt, West Bank from Jordan, Golan heights from Syria.
What is true about the Yom Kippur War?
- Egypt and Syria invaded Israel
What is true about US–Israel relations?
- Pro Israel stance
- Trumans support of Israel in its founding days
- Staunch support of Israel at the UN
What are instances of peace brokery efforts with Israel?
- Camp David accords (1978)
- Oslo accords (1994-1995)
- Abraham Accords (2020)
What do the Camp David Accords reveal for Israel?
- facilitated by President Jimmy Carter at Camp David
- signed by Egyptian President Sadat and Israel PM Begin
–recognized the legitimate rights of the Palestinian peoples
—ended the war since 1948 by returning the Sinai peninsula to Egypt
—-recognized the governments of both Egypt and Israel
—–Egypt establishes diplomatic relations with Israel
What is true about the Oslo accords?
- The clinton administration
—Oslo Accord I ( The declaration of principles on Interim self government arrangements)
— Israel withdraws troops from West Bank & Gaza
—-Oslo Accord II
– divided West Bank into 3 areas
What is true about the Abraham Accords?
- signed between Israel and the UAE on August 13, 2020
—Israel will suspend plans to annex the West Bank
–Signed on by Bahrain on September 15, 2020
– Israel and Sudan formalized relations on October 27, 2020
– removal of Sudan from American list of state sponsored terrorism - Israel and Morocco
What is true about the Saudi-Iran rivalry?
- it’s considered a “cold war”
– Saudi Arabia and Iran are enemies and fought wars against each other through proxy wars- a way of domination
What is true about the U.S. and their relationship in the middle east region?
- The U.S. have decreased their influence in this area–and China is taking over as the main power
What is the Saudi vision 2030?
- the Saudi gov’t wants to get away from being economically dependent on oil
What’s the keyword for Africa?
diversity
What are 2 characteristics about Africa?
- 54 million people in Africa
- more than 3,000 languages spoken
What is true about Africa’s demographics?
- second most populous continent—fastest growing population
- aging and out of touch political leaders
- most ethnically diverse region
What is true about Africa’s economy?
- rich natural resources
- poor economy: $2,000 per capita GDP
— 35 out of 46 are the least developed countries
– youth unemployment
What are some problems with Africa?
- legacy of colonialism
- political instability–terrorism
- poor governance
- corruption–bottomless aid pit
- lack of democracy
- authoritarian and aging rulers
- migration and refugee
What is the saying that Dr. Kim gave about Africa?
“African continent was gang raped by European powers”
What are some positives for Africa as a result of colonialism?
- English and French
- Education
- unity through English or French
- Christianity and civilization
- Modernization and technology
- Arbitrary borders
- political instability such as coups
What is true about the African Union?
- founded in 2002
- began as the organization of African Unity in 1963 (OAU)
- replaced by African Union in 2002
- An IGO with 55 members
- created to promote unity and solidarity
What are the principles of the African Union?
- sovereign equality of all member states
- non-interference in the internal affairs of states
—protects rights of the peoples and sovereignty
What are some differences from the EU, that are part of the African Union?
- limited degree of integration
- no single currency
- no visa free zone
- 55 members
- partnerships with UN, EU. 8 regional communities, WHO, and World Bank
What are the distinct regions of “the Americas”?
- North America
- Central America
- Caribbean countries
- South America
What is the difference between the terms “South America” and “Latin America”?
- South America is a geographic term (southern part of Americas)
- Latin America is countries that are connected to Latin speaking languages
What is true about NAFTA?
- created in 1994
- North American Free Trade Agreement
- Mexico is said to be the largest benefactor of the 3 countries
What is true about USMCA?
- created in 2020
- United States Mexico Canada Agreement
– gave more rights to American farmers in exporting
What is the keyword for the Americas region?
- “duality”
- an instance of opposition or contrast between 2 concepts or 2 aspects of something (2 sides of same coin)
— North America vs. South America
What is the good news for the Americas region?
- the U.S. as the world Hegemon
- fewer territorial disputes
- rarer inter-state wars
- unlikely nuclear proliferation
- no great power rivalry
- fewer terrorism
What is the bad news for the Americas region?
- widespread corruption
- drug cartels and gang violence
- police brutality
- human/drug trafficking
- poverty
- high unemployment
- authoritarianism and military rule
- fragile democracy
- migration
What is true of the individual level of analysis?
- studies the role and influence of individuals, political elites, activists, or ordinary peoples
- focus is on decision makers and participants in decision making process
- personality, perceptions, choices, activities
What is true of the state level analysis?
- explanations derive from domestic factors like:
- state characteristics: geography, natural resources, demographics, history
- type of government: democratic, or authoritarian
- type of economic system: capitalism or socialism
- interest groups, bureaucracies
What is true of the international system?
- anarchic characteristics of international system
- general characteristics of international systems among states, regional, and international organization roles of MNC’s and NGO’s
- distribution of power among these actors
What is Wallerstein’s world system theory model?
All of these interact with each other
Core countries
- semi-periphery
- periphery
What does theory do?
- explain why things happen and suggest best course of actions in international relations
- describe, explain, and predict (or prescribe)
- affects foreign policies
What does Joseph Nye view of theory?
- theories are the roadmaps that help us formulate policies
What is true of theory in IR?
- doesn’t mean a single unified theory
- refers to approaches, perspectives, paradigms, school of thought:
- realism, liberalism, constructivism, marxism
- disagreements and debates among theorists
What does the theory of realism discuss?
- the oldest, the simplest, and widely held theory
- pessimistic view of human nature
- anarchic nature of international system
- emphasis on national security, survival, power
What does realism answer?
- why do states have power?
- is there morality in IR?
What did Thucydides do for philosophy of IR?
- Thucydides (460BC-404BC)
– history of the Peloponnesian war
— father of political realism
— “the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must” - power structure matters
What did Machiavelli do for philosophy of IR?
- wrote the Prince
- better to be feared than loved–dictators
What did Thomas Hobbes do for philosophy of IR?
- Wrote the Leviathan
– came up with the state of nature- the life of man is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
– “the War of all against all”
- the life of man is “solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short”
What did Hans Morgenthau do for philosophy of IR?
- Wrote “Politics among nations, the struggle for power and peace”
- a man who has nothing but “political man” would be a beast
- a man who is nothing but a moral man is a fool
What are the core assumptions of realism?
- human nature
– humans are flawed, egoistic, self-interested, fearful - states
— primary, unitary, rational actors
— calculate costs and benefits and acts in national interests
—- international conflicts-resolved by war - no perpetual peace is possible
- zero-sum game
- permanent security dilemma
What do Neo-Realists (structural realists) believe?
- focus on the structure of international system
– lack of central authority
– states are constrained by the system
– international cooperation is unlikely
– concerns about states cheating and relative gain
What is defensive vs. offensive realism?
- offensive: states are security maximizers and aggressive expansion provokes hostility
- defensive: states must always be looking for opportunities to gain power at expense of other for own security
What are the types of power distribution?
- Unipolar: one superpower, no eminent power threat
- Bipolar: two superpowers that others are associated with
- Multipolar: several regional powers at same time
What is hegemon?
- a state that has the capacity and the will to lead and overpower other states in the international system
- U.S. in the post Cold-War?
What is the hegemonic stability theory?
- a hegemon reduces anarchy as the “global cop”
- it enforces norms to insure stability
- creates stability
What is involved in a Bipolar world?
- the two powers negotiate then fight
- disruptive behavior is evident
- easy to anticipate the others actions and predict responses
- each focuses its activity on just the other
What is involved in a Multipolar world?
- balance of power systems
- there are more interactions among states
- less opportunity to dwell on one state
- there are more crosscutting alliances
How can a shift occur in the International system?
- a change in the number of major actors
- a change in the relative power relationship among actors
What are factors that influence power shifts?
- wars (ex. WWI and WWII)
- differences in economic, political, and technology developments
What does John Mearsheimer believe about IR?
- wrote “The tragedy of Great Power Politics”
– the ultimate goal of great powers
- hegemony is the best guarantor of survival
- regional hegemon as the best hope
- prevention of other regional hegemons
What are the building blocks of military power?
- wealth
- population
What source of strength do realists hold to as the most imoprtant?
- military power
What is true about Wilson Idealism?
- existed from ~ 1919-1939
- Liberal internationalism
- crashed due to WWII
- championed by Woodrow Wilson with 14 points
Since 1939 until today, realism is the most prevalent ideology? (True/False)
True
What liberal institutions were created between 1949–1979?
- UN
- NATO
- WTO
- World Bank
Globalization has been going on since 1979, to today? (True/False)
True
What is true about the liberalization order?
- multilateralism
- institutionalism
- international law
What is true about the Liberal view of human nature?
- positive view of human nature
- rational and smart enough to recognize problems in world and work to solve them
- collaboration and cooperation make all better off
How do “liberals” view states?
- multiple actors in play
- NGO’s, IGO’s, IO’s, also are important
- repeated interaction can overcome prisoners dilemma
How do “liberals” view the international system?
- they see anarchy as something which doesn’t necessarily lead to conflict
- the consequences of anarchy–are mitigated by the use of institutions, and interdependence through trade
How do “liberals” critique realism?
- states may not be unitary
- states pursue multiple goals
- power is difficult to define and multi-dimensional
- war is relatively rare occurrence and cooperation is more common
What book did Immanuel Kant write, and what IR philosophy does he follow/adhere to?
- “Perpetual peace: A philosophical sketch” –1795
- Classical Liberalism
What is the “Kantian triangle”?
- economic interdependence, democracy, international organizations—which all connect to “peace”
What are the 3 ideals the come from the book “Perpetual peace: A philosophical sketch”?
- republican constitutions: democracy with rule of law, and popular sovereignty
- federation of states: not world government, International organizations to implement international laws
- cosmopolitan law: commercial exchanges for mutual benefits
What are the 2 major themes in the 14 points speech?
- resolving territorial issues ] —– self determination
- open treaties; freedom ] —– self determination
- form an alliance —- diplomatic idealism
What are the 3 strands of liberalism?
- political liberalism
- economic liberalism
- social liberalism
What is the democratic peace theory?
- institutional constraints such as public opinion and checks and balance in decision making process
- democracy is constrained by international institutions
- increase in the # of democracies–makes a better international system
What is economic liberalism?
- focus on the non-state actors such as MNC’s & IO’s
- trade and interdependence lead to cooperation and peace
- trade decreases conflict
– but trade may increase conflicts (competition over scarce resources)
What is social liberalism?
- person to person contacts at transactional level
- promote understanding and reduce conflicts
