Midterm

Question 1

What is the state?

Answer 1

inhabited central authority that has the ability to make and enforce laws, rules, and decisions within a specified territory.

Question 2

What’s Sovereignty?

Answer 2

Having exclusive power over its territory and people

Question 3

What are the 4 levels of analysis?

Answer 3

International System
Individual
Global
State/Domestic

Question 4

Explain the International System level of analysis.

Answer 4

influences the international system upon outcomes (ie: distribution of power, economic system, international law)

Question 5

Explain the Domestic/State level of analysis.

Answer 5

Centers on the internal attributes of states and how they influence a state’s foreign policy.

Question 6

Explain the Individual level of analysis.

Answer 6

the role and influence of individual actors (ie: leaders) in shaping the behavior of states (personal beliefs, values, experiences, cognitive biases, personalities)

Question 7

Explain the Global level of analysis.

Answer 7

points to factors that are not the result of the interactions between states (ie: global trends, climate change, natural disasters, terrorism, colonial legacy)

Question 8

What factors influence the domestic level of analysis? (6)

Answer 8

1. type of government
2. economic system and performance
3. cultural identity
4. interest groups and public opinion
5. gender
6. economic sectors and industries

Question 9

What is the Security dilemma?

Answer 9

When one state attempts to increase its own security, it decreases the security of other states, as well as their relative power

Question 10

What is anarchy?

Answer 10

absence of centralized, legitimate governing authority that can enforce rules

Question 11

What is the state of nature?

Answer 11

hypothetical time when humans existed without any form of government where they are violent and power-seeking beings

Question 12

What is Power?

Answer 12

the ability to influence other actors and defend themselves from others

Question 13

What factors affect a state’s power? (13)

Answer 13

1. military force
2. size of country
3. wealth
4. natural resources
5. industrial capacity
6. size of territory
7. geography
8. scientific and technological progress
9. potential to mobilize its population
10. popular support
11. military preparedness
12. reputation
13. state bureaucracy

Question 14

What is the democratic peace?

Answer 14

democratic states can solve conflict without resorting to violence

Question 15

What are absolute gains?

Answer 15

as long as you are better off as a result of cooperating with others, the gains of others should not matter

Question 16

What are relative gains?

Answer 16

how much power one state has in comparison with another state. zero-sum game where an increase in power of one state necessarily means a decrease in power of another

Question 17

What is the distribution of power/balance of power?

Answer 17

Process by which counterbalancing coalitions have repeatedly formed in history to prevent one state from conquering an entire region, helps maintain stability of the international system

Question 18

What is the hegemonic stability theory?

Answer 18

state with dominance of power provides the international system with some order and stability. It can resolve moderate conflicts among less powerful states, can enforce rules and can reduce anarchy

Question 19

What is the power transition theory?

Answer 19

the largest wars result from challenges to the top position in the status hierarchy, when a rising power is surpassing (or threatening to surpass) the most powerful state. temptation of “preventive war” from most powerful state

Question 20

What are the two main components of Idealism?

Answer 20

1. reform of the international system could move us beyond the power politics emphasized by realism.
2. belief that humans are essentially good has implications for our understanding of human relations, and of international relations.

Question 21

What is the difference between Classical and neo-realism?

Answer 21

Classic Realism: states want to increase their relative power because states are like humans and want to be powerful and dominate their rivals

Neo-Realism: states want to increase their relative power because in the absence of a central government (anarchy), acquiring power is the only thing that will prevent others from attacking.

Question 22

What is Self-help?

Answer 22

accumulating military assets or seeking alliances (for smaller, poorer states)

Question 23

What is Economic interdependence?

Answer 23

trade promotes peace because it increases wealth, cooperation, and global well-being. Conflicts are less likely since governments will not want to disrupt any process that adds to the wealth of their state.

Question 24

What is liberalism?

Answer 24

belief that significant global cooperation is possible & that conflicts can be resolved peacefully.
- human reason and progress can overcome anarchy
- mutually beneficial cooperation is more rational
- international institutions help provide stability in anarchy
- states are independent actors, but respond to domestic and international pressures
- states do not all share the same preferences

Question 25

What is realism?

Answer 25

In anarchy, states act in their own self interest
- states want to ensure their survival
- state of nature
- scarcity of power and security
- states seek relative power
- no place for morality in international politics

Question 26

What is the Kantian triangle?

Answer 26

1. Economic interdependence
2. Institutions
3. Democracy