1|Page
POLI 105 Exam 1 VCU Study
Guide – International Relations
Terms & Theories
Prepare for POLI 105 Exam 1 at VCU with this focused
study guide covering Introduction to International
Relations. Includes key terms like realism, liberalism,
constructivism, sovereignty, anarchy, security dilemma,
collective action problems, and the Treaty of Westphalia.
Concise definitions and core concepts organized for
efficient review. Ideal for VCU students taking POLI 105.
Covers Unit 1 material and major IR theories
1. Which theoretical perspective argues that international institutions can help
states overcome the security dilemma and achieve cooperation?
A. Realism
B. Liberalism
C. Marxism
D. Nationalism
B. Liberalism
Liberalism holds that international institutions, trade, and shared norms can reduce the
likelihood of conflict by increasing transparency, creating repeated interactions, and
raising the costs of defection. Realism (A) is skeptical of institutions because it assumes
states are primarily concerned with relative power and survival. Marxism (C) focuses on
,2|Page
class struggle and economic exploitation rather than institutional cooperation.
Nationalism (D) is not a core IR paradigm in this context.
2. The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is significant in IR because it:
A. Ended World War I
B. Established the principle of state sovereignty
C. Created the United Nations
D. Formalized the Bretton Woods system
B. Established the principle of state sovereignty
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and is widely cited as the origin
of the modern state system, in which states possess supreme authority over their
territory and domestic affairs. World War I ended with the Treaty of Versailles (A). The
UN was created in 1945 (C). Bretton Woods was a 1944 economic conference (D).
3. A state builds up its military to feel safer. Its neighbor perceives this as a
threat and also arms itself. This spiral is best described as:
A. Free riding
B. Logrolling
C. The security dilemma
D. Absolute gains
C. The security dilemma
The security dilemma occurs when defensive actions by one state are perceived as
offensive by another, triggering arms races even when neither side wants conflict. Free
riding (A) refers to benefiting from a collective good without contributing. Logrolling (B)
is vote trading. Absolute gains (D) refers to mutual benefit in cooperation.
,3|Page
4. Neorealists and neoliberals disagree primarily over whether states focus on:
A. Absolute gains vs. relative gains
B. Democracy vs. autocracy
C. Ideology vs. religion
D. Trade vs. war
A. Absolute gains vs. relative gains
Neorealists argue states worry about relative gains—how much they gain compared to
others—because unequal gains can become future power advantages. Neoliberals
argue states can accept absolute gains, meaning both sides benefit even if one benefits
more, which makes cooperation possible.
Would you like me to generate 20–30 questions in this format covering the full range
of POLI 105 Unit 1 topics? That would be a strong, original study set without
reproducing any actual exam content.
finish
Here is a continuation set of original multiple choice questions covering the standard
POLI 105 Unit 1 topics. These are study aids built from the core concepts you listed,
not actual exam items.
5. In the statement "Democracy causes peace," what is the dependent variable?
A. Democracy
B. Peace
, 4|Page
C. Causation
D. The state
B. Peace
The dependent variable is the outcome being explained. Here, peace is what the theory
is trying to account for, while democracy is the independent variable doing the
explaining. Causation (C) describes the relationship itself, not the variable. The state (D)
is a unit of analysis, not the outcome.
6. Which theorist tradition argues that "ideas all the way down" best describes
world politics?
A. Neorealism
B. Neoliberalism
C. Constructivism
D. Marxism
C. Constructivism
Constructivism holds that reality is socially constructed and that ideas, identities, and
norms shape state behavior, making generalized law-like explanations difficult.
Neorealism (A) and neoliberalism (B) are rationalist theories that treat material
structure and interests as primary. Marxism (D) focuses on material class relations, not
ideas.
7. A theory that explains a great deal with very few variables is said to be:
A. Degenerate
B. Parsimonious
POLI 105 Exam 1 VCU Study
Guide – International Relations
Terms & Theories
Prepare for POLI 105 Exam 1 at VCU with this focused
study guide covering Introduction to International
Relations. Includes key terms like realism, liberalism,
constructivism, sovereignty, anarchy, security dilemma,
collective action problems, and the Treaty of Westphalia.
Concise definitions and core concepts organized for
efficient review. Ideal for VCU students taking POLI 105.
Covers Unit 1 material and major IR theories
1. Which theoretical perspective argues that international institutions can help
states overcome the security dilemma and achieve cooperation?
A. Realism
B. Liberalism
C. Marxism
D. Nationalism
B. Liberalism
Liberalism holds that international institutions, trade, and shared norms can reduce the
likelihood of conflict by increasing transparency, creating repeated interactions, and
raising the costs of defection. Realism (A) is skeptical of institutions because it assumes
states are primarily concerned with relative power and survival. Marxism (C) focuses on
,2|Page
class struggle and economic exploitation rather than institutional cooperation.
Nationalism (D) is not a core IR paradigm in this context.
2. The Treaty of Westphalia (1648) is significant in IR because it:
A. Ended World War I
B. Established the principle of state sovereignty
C. Created the United Nations
D. Formalized the Bretton Woods system
B. Established the principle of state sovereignty
The Peace of Westphalia ended the Thirty Years' War and is widely cited as the origin
of the modern state system, in which states possess supreme authority over their
territory and domestic affairs. World War I ended with the Treaty of Versailles (A). The
UN was created in 1945 (C). Bretton Woods was a 1944 economic conference (D).
3. A state builds up its military to feel safer. Its neighbor perceives this as a
threat and also arms itself. This spiral is best described as:
A. Free riding
B. Logrolling
C. The security dilemma
D. Absolute gains
C. The security dilemma
The security dilemma occurs when defensive actions by one state are perceived as
offensive by another, triggering arms races even when neither side wants conflict. Free
riding (A) refers to benefiting from a collective good without contributing. Logrolling (B)
is vote trading. Absolute gains (D) refers to mutual benefit in cooperation.
,3|Page
4. Neorealists and neoliberals disagree primarily over whether states focus on:
A. Absolute gains vs. relative gains
B. Democracy vs. autocracy
C. Ideology vs. religion
D. Trade vs. war
A. Absolute gains vs. relative gains
Neorealists argue states worry about relative gains—how much they gain compared to
others—because unequal gains can become future power advantages. Neoliberals
argue states can accept absolute gains, meaning both sides benefit even if one benefits
more, which makes cooperation possible.
Would you like me to generate 20–30 questions in this format covering the full range
of POLI 105 Unit 1 topics? That would be a strong, original study set without
reproducing any actual exam content.
finish
Here is a continuation set of original multiple choice questions covering the standard
POLI 105 Unit 1 topics. These are study aids built from the core concepts you listed,
not actual exam items.
5. In the statement "Democracy causes peace," what is the dependent variable?
A. Democracy
B. Peace
, 4|Page
C. Causation
D. The state
B. Peace
The dependent variable is the outcome being explained. Here, peace is what the theory
is trying to account for, while democracy is the independent variable doing the
explaining. Causation (C) describes the relationship itself, not the variable. The state (D)
is a unit of analysis, not the outcome.
6. Which theorist tradition argues that "ideas all the way down" best describes
world politics?
A. Neorealism
B. Neoliberalism
C. Constructivism
D. Marxism
C. Constructivism
Constructivism holds that reality is socially constructed and that ideas, identities, and
norms shape state behavior, making generalized law-like explanations difficult.
Neorealism (A) and neoliberalism (B) are rationalist theories that treat material
structure and interests as primary. Marxism (D) focuses on material class relations, not
ideas.
7. A theory that explains a great deal with very few variables is said to be:
A. Degenerate
B. Parsimonious
