Test 1 Flashcards
state
the government (body that makes the decisions)
nation
the people (that are governed by the state)
country
the land (that the people live on)
state actor
someone who works for the government (president, soldier, etc.)
non-state actor
someone who doesn’t work for the government, but they’re important to world politics (corporations, terrorist groups, non profit organization, etc.)
NGO
non-governmental organization (non-profit organization)
hegemon
a very dominant actor in world politics; the dominant state (regional or global)
theory
ideas that try to explain or predict world events
sovereignty / sovereign states
states have absolute power over their citizens and an absolute right to be free from interference (Greek city states)
Why couldn’t Nazis be charged for killing German Jews after WWII?
sovereignty; the Nazis were the government with absolute power over their people
Any time one state invades another, it violates ______.
sovereignty
Is sovereignty equally applied by the international community?
no
Why can any king/duke/prince choose the religion of their state?
sovereignty
What are the two assumptions in Classical Realism?
- There must be anarchy in the international system (no central authority telling states what to do)
- States are the main actors (corporations, NGOs, etc. are not important)
Who is responsible for the Classical Realism theory?
Hans Morgenthau
When was the Classical Realism theory developed?
late 1940s, after WWII
How long did Classical Realism reign as the primary (and only) political theory?
until 1980s
What are the six principles of Classical Realism?
1- The behavior of states can always be predicted.
Like science.
State behavior/decision-making process never changes.
2- Realist policies are rational.
They make pro/con or cost/benefit analyses.
3- Every state only wants/makes decisions based on two things: (the increase of) power and (safeguarding of) security.
4- Realists aren’t as terrible as they sound. They make decisions based on power and security, but they do acknowledge that their decisions can have normative (or realist) consequences. They take this into account when making pro/con lists.
5- There are no good or evil states.
All are acting with the intent to better their country through power and security.
6- Economics plays no role in politics.
It shouldn’t influence the state’s decisions about power and security.
According to Classical Realism, states are not _______.
normative (based on ethics or morals)
Give an example of Classical Realism (versus normative views).
The US invaded Iraq. Why?
Realism: Saddam Hussein threatened US power.
Normative: He was killing his own people. It’s the “right thing” to stop him.
Give an example of a moral consequence realists might consider.
Casualties in war
When George W. Bush referred to Iraq, Iran, and North Korea as the “Axis of Evil,” was this characteristic of a realist?
No
What is an example of economics not playing a role in power and security decisions?
military buildup
almost any kind of conflict
a decision to go to war
Name two realists from history.
Machiavelli and George Kennan
According to Machiavelli, what is the only acceptable reason to want power?
for the health of the state
NOT for an individual/you
What book did Machiavelli writing advising rulers on how to act?
The Prince
Machiavelli was an Italian _____ from the _____.
politician; 1500s
George Kennan was a key figure in what war?
Cold War
Kennan was a(n) ______ who wrote a controversial article in ____.
American; 1947
What was Kennan’s opinion on the Cold War?
The US should not attack the Soviet Union. Cost/benefit analysis shows it isn’t worth it.
What did Kennan predict regarding the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
The Soviet Union would eventually destroy itself and fall apart on its own.
What did Kennan believe the US should do in regards to the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
prevent it from spreading Communism
containment theory
preventing the spread of Communism
What are the four principles Neorealism shares with Classical Realism?
1- Economics doesn't belong in politics. 2- States are the main actors. 3- States seek security and power. 4- There's anarchy in the international system. There is no world government.
Containment theory led to what two wars?
Korean War and Vietnam War
Who is responsible for the Neorealism theory?
Kenneth Waltz
When was Neorealism developed?
1979
Neorealism = ?
New Realism
What are the two unique principles of Neorealism?
1- States do not have free agency.
The structure of the international system influences their decision. (Balance of Power)
2- Relative v. Absolute Gains
States are only concerned with Relative Gains.
What sub-theory is under Neorealism?
Balance of Power Theory
What was Morgenthau’s position in the Agent vs. Structure debate?
States have free agency.
agent
choice
Are you a free agent?
Did you make the decision on your own?
structure
forced to take action by social influence
Agent v. Structure debate
similar to Nature v. Nurture
Were you forced to take that action by outside forces or did you choose to take that action?
Balance of Power
The international system wants to be balanced between two powers.
If you want peace, you must have a bipolar international system.
What is an example of Balance of Power?
The US and the Soviet Union are pretty much balanced.
Cold War - If the US gets more nukes, the scale tips, then the Soviet Union gets more weapons to create balance.
arms races
What is the Realist position on Relative v. Absolute Gains?
Relative. Realists want the same or more than everyone else.
bipolar international system
two major, balanced powers
unipolar international system
one major power that outweighs everyone else
mulitpolar international system
three or more equal powers
this is less stable
According to Neorealism, the structure of the international system always wants a ____ system.
bipolar
What polarity was the international system after the Cold War?
unipolar
the US was the main power
Is there currently balance of power?
China is beginning to balance with the US.
Under what conditions will you see bandwagoning? Give an example for each of the three.
1- The weaker the state, the more likely it is to bandwagon.
Maldives allies itself with India rather than Pakistan despite religious differences.
2- If you are an isolationist state, you can’t find states nearby to ally with (to balance against hegemon), so they bandwagon with the hegemon.
North Korea bandwagoned with China.
3- During a war, a state may see they’re on the losing side and switch sides.
During WWII, Romania and Bulgaria switched from Germany’s side to the US and Allies side.
Relative Gains
you care about what you have in relation to everyone else has
Absolute Gains
you’re just happy that you’re better off than you were before
Describe the pyramid in Power Transition Theory. What states might be at each level?
- Hegemon (USA)
- Great Powers (China, Russia, South Africa, Brazil, India, UK)
- – Medium Powers (Japan, Germany, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Australia, Spain)
- — Small Powers (Central America, Sub-Saharan Africa, Luxembourg, Moldova)
Who is responsible for the Balance of Threat theory?
Stephen Walt
Stephen Walt agreed with the ____ theory.
Neorealism
What two things does Balance of Threat involve?
balancing and bandwagoning
When will you see balancing?
When other states see the hegemon as a threat.
Why wasn’t there balance after the Cold War?
The US wasn’t perceived as a threat.
When was the US perceived as a threat?
2003/2004 US invaded other states in Iraq War
China rises up
bandwagoning
allying with a threat
isolationist state
doesn’t have a lot of contact with other states
Who is responsible for the Power Transition Theory?
Organski
According to Power Transition Theory, what 5 things are needed to be the hegemon?
- Must have sizable population.
- Must have a fairly large territory.
- Good number of natural resources (oil, etc)
- Need large military.
- Need a stable government.
In Power Transition Theory, the hegemon sets the ____ ___.
status quo
status quo
standard of behavior that the hegemon wants other states to follow
What is an example of a hegemon setting the status quo?
The US has democracy, human rights, free market/capitalism, trade
revisionist states
states that don’t agree with/like/follow the status quo
What are some examples of revisionist states?
North Korea, China, Russia, Venezuela
The hegemon doesn’t need to worry about revisionist states unless…
great powers are revisionists.
What will eventually happen according to Power Transition Theory? What states could it involve?
One of the great powers will challenge the status quo and/or the hegemon.
China and Russia are candidates, because they are great powers and revisionist states.
The Power Transition Theory is based on ____.
history
When did the hegemony start, and where did it go from there?
1500s with Spain -> Netherlands -> Great Britain -> Great Britain challenged by France (Napoleon), France lost -> Great Britain … WWII … USA
When is the Power Transition Theory weak?
during world wars
The Power Transition Theory does not allow for a ____ international system. It presumes a _____ international system.
bipolar; unipolar
According to Power Transition Theory, hegemons live without challenge for ___ to ___ years.
60 to 90 years
According to Power Transition Theory, after 60-90 years, the hegemon will…
face a challenge to their status quo by a great power.
According to Power Transition Theory, when will the US’s next challenge/conflict occur?
within the next 20 years
What five things does liberalism entail?
- power of the individual (little role for the state); limited government
- Democracy is the best form of government (liberalism will also cover non-democratic states)
- capitalism/free markets/trade
- International cooperation
- progress
Why does the government exist in a (truly) liberal state?
to enforce contracts/agreements
Because there is limited government in liberalist states, individuals can…
control their own lives.
Liberalism is similar to ___ in American politics.
libertarianism
In true capitalism, there would be no ____, only people trading with ____ ____.
state; each other
International Institution
a state becomes friends with other states within the institution
Do liberalists believe in change?
yes
Give an example/analogy for Liberalism v. Realism.
There is crime in NYC. A liberalist would point out a decrease in the murder rate and say that it could further change for the positive. A realist would simply point out the murder rate. Omg, look at it!
Who is responsible for the End of History theory?
Fukuyama
The End of History theory deals with types of ____.
government
What type of government does the End of History theory believe is best?
democracy
According to End of History theory, what will happen if every state is democratic?
There will be no more war or conflict. The End of History will occur.
What is the Dialectic: Forms of Government?
Tribal -> Slave-owning -> Theocratic -> Democracy (End of History)
Describe the tribal form of government.
one leader holds power
Describe the slave-owning form of government.
Greek/Roman
Slave owners (few wealthy people) had power in government.
Slaves (majority population) had no power.
Describe the theocratic form of government.
1500 - 1600s
religious leaders hold power
Describe the democratic form of government.
The people hold the power. Every individual gets an equal vote.
It is the best and last form of government, according to the End of History theory. After the democratic stage, there will be no more governmental evolution.
Can a state move backward on the End of History theory’s dialectic?
Yes, but it will eventually move forward all the way.
Who is responsible for the Democratic Peace Theory?
Michael Doyle
How many countries does the Democratic Peace Theory involve?
more than one
What is the assumption of the Democratic Peace Theory?
No two democracies have ever gone to war with each other, so they never will.
What the Democratic Peace Theory version of End of History?
Democratic Peace
How many years does a country have to have a democracy for it to be a stable democracy?
5 years
What is the mission of Democratic Peace Theory?
spread democracy to stop fighting and bring peace
Democracies are ____ on each other because of ___.
interdependent; trade
What would be the consequences of two democracies warring with each other?
economic recession -> leader being voted out of office
What are the two ways to establish democracy in a country?
Force (hard power)
Fukuyama: Allow state to reach it on its own (soft power)
Who is responsible for the hard/soft power idea?
Joseph Nye
hard power
force; military
soft power
providing a democratic example to show other states how great it is; persuasion (foreign aid, loans, grants, make friends)
Give an example of hard power not working.
Iraq & Afghanistan
Give an example of hard power working.
Germany & Japan
Liberalists love ____. Leaders spread ____ through ___ or ____ power to attain world peace.
democracy; democracy; hard; soft
Who is responsible for the Roadblocks to Democracy theory?
Donald Snow
Revenge of the Losers
ethnic divisions in society
previous ethnic group that lost power (by switch to democracy) will always be trying to regain it
Give an example of Revenge of the Losers.
Iraq (Shia, Sunni, Curds)
Saddam Hussein was Sunni in a country full of Shia, so it was an authoritarian government. He was taken out of power in 2003. Iraq was switched to a democracy. Shia win the elections, because they’re the majority. Sunni fight back.
The Coming Anarchy
chaos from one state crossing the border into another state and destabilizing the democracy
Give an example of The Coming Anarchy.
- Sudan civil war. Millions of people escape to Chad, a relatively new democracy. Chad, being poor, couldn’t provide aid very well. This resulted in a governmental overthrow, because Chadians were jealous of Sudanese refugees.
- Israel is worried about Syrian conflict crossing their borders.
Clash of Cultures
some cultures will/can NEVER accept democracy because it doesn’t fit with their own cultural norms
Give an example of Clash of Cultures.
China has a theocratic government. It is a very community-based culture, compared to the individual-based culture of democracy. Communism promotes community growth, while democracy promotes the flourishing of the individual.
Give an example of Clash of Cultures being untrue.
Taiwan is culturally Chinese, but they have had a stable, Western-style democracy since the 1980s.
Rocky Road to Freedom
Sometimes a country wants to transition, but it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a very slow process. If you try to enact democracy quickly, you’ll have setbacks.
Give an example of Rocky Road to Freedom.
The Soviet Union dissolved in the 90s. They decided to enact democracy and become Russia. Putin came to power and changed the laws to allow himself to retain power. The government is now authoritarian in nature. It is a pseudo-democracy.
Economic Collapse
A state’s economic collapse can cause a democracy to fail.
Give an example of Economic Collapse.
Germany needed to pay reparations after WWI. They just started printing money, causing hyperinflation. To fix this, they quit using Marks. All Marks were suddenly invalid. People lost savings, pensions, etc. There was an economic collapse. The Nazis rose to power, promising to get people’s money back.
The Weimar Republic
Be careful what you wish for!
If you install a democracy, you have to live with the consequences.
Give an example of “Be careful what you wish for!”
Palestinians voted Hamas, a terrorist group, into power during first US-monitored democratic election.
Who is responsible for the The Prisoner’s Dilemma theory?
Kenneth Oye
What type of theory is The Prisoner’s Dilemma?
Game Theory
What is a game theory?
mathematical model
cooperation (C)
to cooperate with someone means to keep agreements
opposite of defection
defection (D)
to break agreements
opposite of cooperation
Payoff structure
list of preferred strategies in a game theory’s game
What is the game?
Will states honor or break agreements?
What three things does a game theory like The Prisoner’s Dilemma involve?
cooperation, defection, payoff structure
What is the payoff structure in The Prisoner’s Dilemma?
DC > CC > DD > CD
where D=defect and C=cooperate
What is the initial conclusion of The Prisoner’s Dilemma?
States will first choose to break agreements ALWAYS if they stand to gain. They’re second choice is to cooperate, hoping the other state in the agreement cooperates as well.
iteration
repitition
When you iterate the game (The Prisoner’s Dilemma) on a computer, what is the result?
The state’s first choice will be to cooperate.
States in treaties that become friends are more likely to ______.
cooperate
Shadow of the Future
over time, in international institution, there is an expectation of future cooperation
Give an example of Shadow of the Future.
I will cooperate with you today, because I know I’ll need you in the future.
Who is responsible for the Neoliberal Institutionalism (NLI)?
Robert Keohane
What are the two types of International Institutions?
Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs)
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
Who are the members of Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs)?
states
Who are the members of Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)?
individuals, not states
What do Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) cover?
usually focus on one issue
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
usually a charity or non-profit
What do Inter-governmental Organizations (IGOs) cover?
different issue areas
What are the 4 benefits of Institutions?
1- have longevity and perpetuate themselves (it’s very hard to dismantle an international institution)
2- provide a forum for issues (give states a place to meet and discuss)
3- serve the interests of weaker nations (give weaker nations a voice)
4- reduce transaction costs (rules of doing business, rules set up once and you don’t have to repeat them)
Make sure institutions do not suffer from ____ ____.
Democratic Deficit
What happens in a Democratic Deficit?
not all states have an equal voice
What type of international institution is the United Nations?
Inter-governmental Organization (IGO)
When was the United Nations created?
1945, after WWII
What was the forerunner to the UN?
League of Nations
How many founding members did the UN have?
51
How many members does the UN have now?
193
How many founding members did the League of Nations have?
42
What were the 3 principles of the UN’s initial charter?
1- Every state is an equal member, has an equal vote (regardless of size, military, etc)
2- States cannot violate sovereignty. (no one would interfere in another’s domestic affairs. You can only intervene when the security of several states is at risk.
3- The UN initially was only created to deal with security issues/conflict and prevent war. (has expanded to talking about human and economic security)
What is the largest UN body? How many members does it have?
The General Assembly
193
What types of issues does the General Assembly discuss?
natural disaster, economics, human trafficking, drug trafficking, etc. (anything not related to security/traditional conflict)
What decisions is the General Assembly responsible for?
UN budget
who can join the UN
who gets kicked out of the UN
What majority of the vote must be won to pass important decisions in the General Assembly?
2/3
What majority of the vote must be won to pass anything of lesser importance in the General Assembly?
simple majority, 51%
Are resolutions or treaties passed by the UN binding?
no, they’re voluntary
What is the point of the UN?
to set international norms, guidelines
What sort of punishments can states suffer for not following guidelines set by the UN?
credibility hurt, harm to their international reputation
The Block of Developing States exists within the ___ ___.
General Assembly
The Block of Developing States is also known as the _____.
G-77; the Global South
How did the G-77 earn its name?
there were 77 founding members
How many members does the G-77 have now?
132
The G-77 makes up ___ of the members of the General Assembly.
2/3
The G-77 is a ____ block.
voting
What council within the UN discuss security matters?
The Security Council
How many members does the Security Council have?
15
What does the Security Council do?
establish peace-keeping ops, establish international sanctions, authorize military action/intervention into a state
What is the P-5?
the permanent 5 members of the Security Council
Who makes up the P-5?
US, UK, Russia, China, France
What is the E-10?
10 rotating members of the Security Council that are elected by the General Assembly and serve 2 year terms
How many votes does it take to pass something in the Security Council?
9
What unique power does the P-5 have?
veto power
What do the members of the P-5 have in common?
WWII allies
What UN body suffers from a Democratic Deficit?
the Security Council
international sanction
punishment for a state that doesn’t follow the rules
