Midterm 1: Concepts/terms Flashcards
What is the theory within the domain of international relations where it states the “zero-sum idea where a gain is another state lost?
Realism
What theory within the domain of international relations believes that the international system is socially constructed?
Constructivism
What theory within the domain of international relations suggests that social structures shape state interests, ideas, and behaviors?
Constructivism
What international relation theory aligns with statements mentioning a state’s identity reflects constructed international norms?
Constructivism
Which international relations theory underscores or shares similarities with the notion that a state’s identity is permanently constructed through interaction with other states?
Constructivism
In a global summit discussing security issues, there is minimal representation of women in decision-making roles. Which aspect of feminist theory would critique this situation?
Liberal Feminist Theory
In analyzing a conflict between two nations, which factor would a Marxist theorist prioritize when examining the root causes?
a) Cultural differences and historical grievances
b) Economic disparities and class struggles
c) Military capabilities and strategic interests
d) Environmental degradation and resource scarcity
b) Economic disparities and class struggles
What theory within the domain of international relations challenges and critiques realism?
Liberalism
Following a period of conflict, two neighboring countries engage in diplomatic negotiations to establish a lasting peace. Which theory would emphasize the role of shared norms and values in facilitating this peace process?
a) Constructivism
b) Realism
c) Liberalism
d) Marxist Theory
a) Constructivism
In analyzing the power dynamics between states, a scholar focuses on military capabilities, strategic interests, and balance of power. Which theory aligns with this analytical framework?
a) Constructivism
b) Liberalism
c) Realism
d) Post-Structuralism
c) Realism
Scenario: In analyzing the decision-making process leading to a country’s military intervention, which level of analysis would focus on the personal beliefs and cognitive limitations of the state leader?
Multiple Choice:
a) Individual Level of Analysis
b) State-Level System
c) System Level
d) All of the above
a) Individual Level of Analysis
A country’s foreign policy is heavily influenced by its economic capacity, military capabilities, and governmental institutions. Which level of analysis would focus on these state-specific factors?
a) Individual Level of Analysis
b) State-Level System
c) System Level
d) All of the above
b) State-Level System
A country’s decision to align itself with a particular international alliance is influenced by its perception of the balance of power and security threats in the region. Which level of analysis would focus on these strategic considerations?
a) Individual Level of Analysis
b) State-Level System
c) System Level
d) All of the above
b) State-Level System
What theory within the domain of international relations promotes cooperation, collaboration, sovereignty(Centralized gov’t) within states to strive towards global governance?
Liberalism
What term within the international relations domain refers to issues that affect multiple states on a global scale?
Transnational
What term refers to the coordination actions or measures involving 3 or more states to address global issues?
Multilateralism
What term refers to one country acting alone without seeking coordination or assistance from other states?
Unilateralism
What term refers to the coordinations of actions and measures between two states?
Bilateralism
The term that refers to anything shaping, constraining, and/or guiding behavior?
Institution
What term refers to increasing integration of economics, communication and culture across national boundaries?
Globalization
What encompasses the formal and informal actors, institutions, and processes involved in governing to produce a degree of order and facilitate collective action toward international problems?
Global Governance
What is the list of actors considered in world politics?
- States (Hegemon)
- (IGO’s)
- Non-state actors, NGO’s, Civil society, Market-based actors,
What term refers to individuals, groups and organizations that purposefully act toward a certain goal or objective?
Actors
What are the characteristics and arrangements of power in a system where multiple major players share influence, creating a balance?
Multipolar
What term describes a situation where two dominant powers coexist, often engaging in competition?
Bipolar
In what scenario does a single power hold significant influence, resulting in an imbalance within a system?
Unipolar
What term is used to describe the concentration of power within a system, specifically in the context of the international system?
Polarity
What term in global politics or international relations do the European Union, World Trade Organization, and OPEC fall under?
Inter-governmental Organization, also known as actors
What do inter-governmental Organization do?
Inter-governmental organizations (IGOs) primarily serve to facilitate coordination and collaboration between sovereign states and may involve other actors within the international system, such as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or private entities.
What term refers to systematically examining a thing, event or process through deconstruction into its constituent elements in order to understand it?
Analysis
What are the 3 levels of analysis?(IN ORDER)
‘Levels-of-analysis’
i) Individual-level
ii) State-level
iii) System level
what are the 3 major theories within international relations? aka the 3 big mainstream theories of world politics
- Realism
- Liberalism
- Constructivism
Which level of analysis focuses on comprehending the influence of state institutions and political dynamics on a country’s decisions and actions in the international arena?
State-level analysis
Which level of analysis centers on examining the characteristics and features of states?
State-level analysis
Which level of analysis involves evaluating governmental statecraft, the authority of the governing regime, state bureaucracy, military strength, economic capacity, social influences, and physical/technical factors?
State-level analysis
Which level of analysis directs its attention to individuals, particularly state leaders and other influential figures?
Individual-level analysis
Which level of analysis aims to understand the thought processes, decision-making, and behavior of individuals, often presuming rationality while acknowledging cognitive traits and limitations?
Individual-level analysis
What level of analysis focuses on the structure of the international system?
System-level analysis
Which level of analysis encompasses the examination of authority structures, types of interdependence, power dynamics, polarity, social environments, ideological factors, and the global economic landscape?
System-level analysis
What major critical juncture in world politics took place in 1648?
Peace of Westphalia
What distinguishes the Peace of Westphalia in world politics?
It establishes the sovereignty of states
How did the Industrial Revolution influence world politics?
It increased economic interdependence among nations.
How did the Great Depression of the 1930s affect world politics?
It led to increased nationalism and protectionism
How did the events of 9/11 shape world politics?
They sparked conflicts and interventions in the Middle East.
What major critical juncture in world politics took place in 1930s?
Great Depression
What major critical juncture in world politics took place in 2011?
Arab Spring
What major critical juncture in world politics took place in 1960s?
Decolonization
What term within the study of international relations refers to the distribution and concentration of power within a system?
Polarity
To which theory of world politics is Robert Cox’s argument “Theory is always for someone and for some purpose” directly linked to?
Critical Theory
Which theory of world politics challenges ‘empirical theory’ by revealing it as maintaining the status quo?
Critical Theory
Which theory in world politics relies on social classes and economic forces as primary factors influencing political dynamics?
Marxist Theory
Which theory in world politics focuses on historical materialism and examines changes over time, emphasizing the role of economic factors?
Marxist Theory
Which theory in world politics emphasizes social classes and forces, and is derived from economic relations and positions within production?
Marxist Theory
What theory in world politics centers around the concept of historical materialism?
Marxist Theory
What theory in world politics examines the disparity in development between the Global North (considered ‘developed’ or ‘core’ countries) and the Global South (regarded as ‘underdeveloped’ or ‘periphery’ countries)?
Dependency Theory
What theory in world politics views global capitalist as reflecting a world system?
World System Theory
What theory in world politics focuses on the development and the functioning of the capitalist world system?
World System Theory
What theory in world politics is looked at as more of an approach than a theory?
Post-Structuralism/Post-Modernism
Which theory in world politics focuses on the relationship between knowledge and power?
Post-Structuralism/Post-Modernism
What theory in world politics focuses on women’s representation in politics and the impact of politics on women?
Liberal Feminist Theory
What term is employed in the study of international relations to describe the type of state lacks External Sovereignty and internal sovereignty?
Failed state
What type of sovereignty is referenced when an actor challenges the supreme authority of the state?
External Sovereignty
What type of sovereignty describes a situation where a state can’t exercise it’s power or authority?
Internal Sovereignty
What term is employed in the study of international relations to describe a state with limited capacity to fulfill basic functions and duties, leading to regional instability?
Weak State
What term is employed in the field of international relations to characterize a state that is incapable of carrying out its duties and functions, and lacks the ability to exercise its complete authority and power?
Failed State
What new wave of political ideology emerged at the end of the Cold War?
Nationalism
In the study of international relations the modern state is distinguished by what 2 factors?
- universality, 2. sovereignty
What term is associated with the idea of unevenly distributing the advantages and disadvantages of globalization, especially between the Global North and Global South?
Uneven Globalization
What was the effect of decolonization on world politics?
It led to the independence of states that were colonized (colonial rule)
What were the major consequences of WWI and WWII on world politics?
It reshaped international power dynamics and institutions
What were the repercussions of the global financial crisis of 2007/08 on world politics?
It resulted in economic downturns and austerity measures.
What effect did the Arab Spring in the context of world politics?
It promoted democracy and political reforms in the region.
According to Realism, what is the primary focus of state interests?
a) Economic prosperity
b) Absolute gains
c) Survival and increasing security or power
d) Human progress
c) Survival and increasing security or power
Which theory of international relations emphasizes cooperation under international institutions and conditions of interdependence?
a) Realism
b) Liberalism
c) Constructivism
d) Marxism
c) Liberalism
What is the main assumption of Constructivism?
a) States are the central actors in world politics
b) World politics is a struggle for power
c) Human progress is inevitable
d) World politics is a social system and its nature is socially constructed
d) World politics is a social system and its nature is socially constructed
Which theory is geared toward emancipatory change and interrogates empirical theory as status quo?
a) Realism
b) Liberalism
c) Critical Theory
d) Marxism
c) Critical Theory
What is the primary focus of Marxist and Neo-Marxist theories of world politics?
a) Emphasis on international institutions
b) Emphasis on historical materialism and economic factors
c) Emphasis on absolute gains
d) Emphasis on balance of power
b) Emphasis on historical materialism and economic factors
Which feminist theory of world politics focuses on the role of women in politics and representation?
a) Critical feminist theory
b) Liberal feminist theory
c) Socialist feminist theory
d) Radical feminist theory
b) Liberal feminist theory
Which principal body of the United Nations serves as the international platform where member states convene to establish the global agenda?
The Global Assembly
Which principal body within the United Nations is recognized as the cornerstone of the global security apparatus, tasked with addressing matters of peace and security, including decisions that determine life and death?
A) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
C) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
D) United Nations Trusteeship Council
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Which principal body within the United Nations is recognized as the cornerstone of the global security apparatus, tasked with addressing matters of peace and security, including decisions that determine life and death?
Security Council
Which members possess permanent veto power within the Security Council body?
France, UK, U.S., Russia, China
What is the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) within the United Nations primarily responsible for?
A) Providing military oversight and strategic planning
B) Addressing environmental issues and climate change policies
C) Serving as the central forum for economic and social issues and development policy
D) Focusing on cultural preservation and heritage conservation
C) Serving as the central forum for economic and social issues and development policy
Country Y is facing severe economic sanctions imposed by the international community due to its aggressive military actions in a neighboring country. Which body within the UN has the authority to impose these sanctions?
A) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
C) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
D) United Nations Trusteeship Council
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Country Z is considering taking military action against a terrorist organization operating within its borders. To ensure international legitimacy for its actions, which UN body should Country Z seek authorization from?
A) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
C) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
D) United Nations Trusteeship Council
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Which important figure within the United Nations is known as the head of the United Nations. Embodying the principles of diplomacy and multilateral collaboration, which are the core values underlying the UN’s mission, In addition to delivering opening and closing statements, as well as signing reports?
Secretary-General
What principal body of the United Nations consists of 15 members, with 5 members possessing the power of veto?
The Security Council
True or False; Is the Secretary-General part of the Secretariat?
True
What are Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)?
A) Entities comprising one or two states with activities restricted to a single state.
B) Organizations formed by non-state actors to address global issues.
C) Entities consisting of three or more sovereign states with activities across multiple states.
D) Informal groups of states with no legal authority or formal structure.
C) Entities consisting of three or more sovereign states with activities across multiple states.
Which principal body within the United Nations is authorized to implement sanctions, which may include economic, diplomatic, or military measures, aimed at coercing states into compliance with legal obligations?
Security Council
Which principal body within the United Nations is responsible for imposing sanctions, including economic, diplomatic, or military measures, to coerce states into compliance with legal obligations?
A) United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
C) United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
D) United Nations International Court of Justice (ICJ)
B) United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
Which principal body or organ of the United Nations serves as a world court for countries to resolve disputes between nations and provides good offices for conflict resolution within countries, but cannot intervene without the permission of the countries involved, while also enforcing international law?
ICJ (International Court of Justice)
What principle body or organ of the United Nation is also referred to as the World Court?
ICJ (International Court of Justice)
What significant world history event (1814 - 1914) emerged in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars, leading to the collaboration of European powers to address potential threats to peace and intervene in disputes and revolutions across Europe, marking one of the earliest attempts at collective security and international diplomacy?
A) The Vienna Congress
B) The Treaty of Versailles
C) The League of Nations
D) The Concert of Europe
D) The Concert of Europe
Which world history event, occurring from 1899 to 1907, marked the first formal treaties addressing the conduct of warfare and treatment of combatants and civilians, while establishing a permanent Court of Arbitration? This event represented a significant step toward the legal regulation of international conflicts and laid the groundwork for later international law and war crime legislation.
A) The Treaty of Versailles
B) The Berlin Conference
C) The Congress of Vienna
D) The Hague Conventions
D) The Hague Conventions
What inter-governmental Organization was founded in 1945?
The United Nations
Which organization, founded in 1920 under the Treaty of Versailles after World War I, aimed to maintain world peace and prevent future conflicts through collective security and disarmament saying the groundwork for the formation of the United Nations?
A) League of Nations
B) United Nations
C) European Union
D) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
A) League of Nations
Which international system best describes the world during the Cold War era, characterized by the dominance of two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union?
A) Uni-polar
B) Bipolar
C) Multi-polar
D) Non-polar
B) Bipolar
Which historical event led to the establishment of a bipolar international system, with the United States and the Soviet Union emerging as the two dominant superpowers?
A) The Treaty of Versailles
B) The Cuban Missile Crisis
C) The Korean War
D) The Vietnam War
B) The Cuban Missile Crisis
Explanation: The Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 heightened tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, solidifying their positions as the two major powers in a bipolar international system.
What term describes an entity comprising three or more states engaged in activities across multiple states? These entities typically exhibit a spectrum of formalization, possessing technical and legal authority. Moreover, they harbor their own internal power dynamics alongside the broader power dynamics of global politics.
Inter-governmental Organization
Which intergovernmental organization (IGO) focuses on collective security and includes countries primarily from Europe and North America?
NATO
Which intergovernmental organization (IGO) focuses on regional organization encompassing environmental issues, sustainable development?
European Union
What type of law is characterized by legally binding obligations that states are required to adhere to?
Hard Law
Which category of law consists of non-binding norms and principles that states are encouraged to follow, but are not legally enforceable?
Soft Law
When referring to the UN Charter, which category of law would it fall under due to its establishment of legally binding obligations for member states?
Hard Law
Which organization requires the explicit permission of involved parties to intervene in facilitating negotiations between conflicting parties?
a) International Criminal Court (ICC)
b) United Nations General Assembly
c) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
d) United Nations Security Council
c) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
What Principle body or organ of the UN contributes to the peaceful resolution of interstate conflicts and the maintenance of international law and order?
a) International Criminal Court (ICC)
b) United Nations General Assembly
c) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
d) United Nations Security Council
d) United Nations Security Council
Which organization renders verdicts and issues sentences for individuals found guilty of international crimes?
a) International Criminal Court (ICC)
b) International Court of Justice (ICJ)
c) United Nations General Assembly
d) United Nations Security Council
a) International Criminal Court (ICC)
What distinguishes the International Court of Justice (ICJ) from the International Criminal Court (ICC)?
a) ICC focuses on interstate disputes, while ICJ addresses individual criminal responsibility.
b) ICC operates under the United Nations, while ICJ operates independently.
c) ICJ lacks the authority to prosecute individuals, while ICC has that power.
d) ICJ provides advisory opinions, while ICC settles legal disputes between states.
c) ICJ lacks the authority to prosecute individuals, while ICC has that power.
What is the key role of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the realm of international law?
a) Resolving legal disputes between states
b) Prosecuting individuals accused of serious international crimes
c) Providing advisory opinions on legal questions
d) Assisting in facilitating negotiations between conflicting parties
b) Prosecuting individuals accused of serious international crimes
What role does the Secretariat primarily play in facilitating negotiations between conflicting parties?
a) Mediator
b) Arbitrator
c) Good office
d) Prosecutor
c) Good Office
What are the four categories of crimes under the jurisdiction of the international criminal court?
“Genocide, War crimes, Crimes against Humanity, Crimes of Agression.”
Which officer role, wearing blue helmets, serves as a buffer zone to uphold ceasefire agreements and maintain peace along disputed borders, while equipped with light weaponry?
a) Peacekeeper
b) Peace officer
c) Diplomatic envoy
d) Security councilor
Peace Officer
Which charter establishes the authority and functions of the five principal organs of the United Nations?
A) The Geneva Convention
B) The Paris Agreement
C) The United Nations Charter
D) The Treaty of Versailles
C) The United Nations Charter
Which term in the study of international relations refers to legal obligations, such as those outlined in treaties and agreements, that bind states with enforceable legal obligations?
A) Soft law
B) Customary law
C) Hard law
D) International norms
C) Hard law
Which term in the study of international relations refers to non-binding obligations that states are encouraged to follow, but are not legally enforceable?
A) Customary law
B) Hard law
C) Soft law
D) International conventions
C) Soft law
From the following listed, Which would be considered Hard Law?
A) The Universal Declaration of Human Rights
B) The Kyoto Protocol
C) The European Convention on Human Rights
D) The United Nations Charter and International Humanitarian Law
D) The United Nations Charter and International Humanitarian Law
True of False, Is Genève Conventions or Hague Conventions example of international humanitarian law?
True
Which charter is recognized as a legally binding document that outlines the permissible use of force and procedures for engaging in warfare?
A) Geneva Conventions
B) Treaty of Versailles
C) United Nations Charter
D) Kellogg-Briand Pact
C) United Nations Charter
Which principal body of the United Nations serves as a World Court to assist states in settling inter-state disputes?
A) The General Assembly
B) The Security Council
C) The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
D) The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
C) The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Which principal body of the United Nations oversees the administration of soft law, a type of non-binding legal framework that states or actors within the international community are not mandated to follow?
A) The Security Council
B) The International Court of Justice (ICJ)
C) The General Assembly
D) The Secretariat
C) The General Assembly
