Poli 105 Top Predicted Questions and Anwers 2024

International Relationstheoretical studies of politics Social Science TheoryGeneral logical explanations of social phenomena IR TheoryExplanations that can be generally applied across cases: logical, with good, empirical evidence predictive A theory should:-Provide a casual explanation -Use empirical evidence -Make a general argument IR theory seeks to be...Parsimonious ParsimonyLeast amount of variance in the explanation of the outcome. The more you add the hard it is to falsify. Theoretical DegenerationTo add to the independent or add more independent variables. Hurts the strength of the explanation and parsimony. Levels of Analysis according to Kenneth Waltz (Man, the State, and War)1. Individual Level 2. State Level 3. Systematic or Structural Individual LevelGreat Man Theory Great Man TheoryCause is found in individuals or small groups based on their characteristics. THEY CAUSE Hitler, Saddam, Bush State LevelWhatever goes on in the state or is attributed to the state is casual. Considered unit level, not structure (but units within a structure) Systematic or Structural LevelStructure of any given stystem is what matters as an independent variable Goldstein's Third LevelDivided into the interstate and global levels Joseph Lepgold's Policy/Theory Debate1. IR is composed of many groups 2.Institutions support integration 3. Shared goals of these groups make better policies based on good assumptions. (Help the statesmen to help the state) 4. Some theories are more helpful ParadigmSet of practices that define a scientific discipline at any particular period Realism and where it came from-Emphasizes military and economic power over institutions or idea: differentiates states int he terms of powers, middle powers, small powers. -Came from practical reaction to idealism Who does power matter for?All realists Who does power matter for a lot?Classical Realists What are the measures of power for realists?-Material