GOV 312L Exam 1 Review Questions
with Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026
Updated.
What is the international system? What are the two main components of the international
system? - Answer - An international system is a complex, global aggregation of people,
organizations, ideas, etc. The system helps to structure political, economic, and social
connections. It creates a condition of strategic dependence among people and states.
- Actors + Structure = International System
Explain the differences between actors and structure in the international system. - Answer
Actors → individuals or groups that share a common purpose. They act, have interests,
identities, and resources. Examples: states, firms, international organizations, and nonstate
actors.
Structure → set of properties that connect and order actors. They allocate power and shape
interactions often by constraining or constituting. Example: laws, 2015 Iran Nuclear Accord
What does it mean to "think systemically?" - Answer Thinking systematically means that you
are examining how political, economic and social developments outside of the United States
shape the US and it's foreign policy.
What is structure? What are some examples of structure in the international system?
How can structure influence international outcomes? - Answer Structure → set of properties
that connect and order actors. They allocate power and shape interactions often by constraining
or constituting.
Structure constrains actors by preventing or encouraging certain behaviors, such as
international economic pressures, sanctions, or treaties.
How does structure in the international system constrain behaviors of international actors? -
Answer Structure constrains behavior of international actors by having a material or
ideational constraint that limits an actor's actions.
For example, the 2015 Iran Nuclear Accord reflects political goals and economic capabilities of
states, along with structural constraints. The US, China, France, Germany, UK and Russia
constraints limited Iran's access to large economies, which influenced their decision to agree to
the accord. Iran agreed to end its nuclear program in exchange for economic gain and an end to
the constraints/sanctions placed on them.
, How does structure constitute actors by influencing their identities and interests? Discuss some
examples. - Answer Structure constitutes actors through material or ideational constitutions
that change an actor's interests through following those rules.
Material: physical characteristics such as distribution of wealth & economic interests of rich and
poor states.
Ideational: European collective identity constitutes interest of political elites.
Example: physical presence of a gun has a different influence than the idea of the gun's power.
Define anarchy and describe its significance in international relations. - Answer Anarchy →
refers to the idea that there is no higher power over the "state-level actors".
Since authority is predominantly held by states, there is no supranational authority. There is no
greater power above the states that makes sure that they hold up to their agreements.
What is the prisoner's dilemma? - Answer Prisoner's Dilemma → used to illustrate political
challenges associated with sustaining cooperation under anarchy. Two-player stylized game of
strategic interaction defined by the distribution of actor preferences over four possible
outcomes
The equilibrium expectation is that players will frequently fail to reach a cooperative agreement
that leaves both players in a better situation.
What are the most prominent actors in the international system? How are they different? -
Answer They are differentiated by interests and capabilities.
States (US, Mexico), Great Powers (China, UK), Domestic Orgs (political parties, unions, chamber
of commerce), International Orgs (NATO, UN), Multinational Orgs (Apple, Toyota), Transnational
Activists & Nongov. Orgs (Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation), and Individuals (Obama, Trump, Putin).
What components of the international system contributed to the completion of the Iran nuclear
accord? - Answer Iran used their nuclear program as leverage on the US. The accord stated
that Iran had to stop their nuclear weapons program for 10 years, in exchange for relief of
sanctions/structural constraints from US, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the UK. (P5+1
states threatened Iran to follow with these constraints)
President Trump pulled out of this deal, which crippled Iran's economy.
with Guaranteed Pass Solutions 2026
Updated.
What is the international system? What are the two main components of the international
system? - Answer - An international system is a complex, global aggregation of people,
organizations, ideas, etc. The system helps to structure political, economic, and social
connections. It creates a condition of strategic dependence among people and states.
- Actors + Structure = International System
Explain the differences between actors and structure in the international system. - Answer
Actors → individuals or groups that share a common purpose. They act, have interests,
identities, and resources. Examples: states, firms, international organizations, and nonstate
actors.
Structure → set of properties that connect and order actors. They allocate power and shape
interactions often by constraining or constituting. Example: laws, 2015 Iran Nuclear Accord
What does it mean to "think systemically?" - Answer Thinking systematically means that you
are examining how political, economic and social developments outside of the United States
shape the US and it's foreign policy.
What is structure? What are some examples of structure in the international system?
How can structure influence international outcomes? - Answer Structure → set of properties
that connect and order actors. They allocate power and shape interactions often by constraining
or constituting.
Structure constrains actors by preventing or encouraging certain behaviors, such as
international economic pressures, sanctions, or treaties.
How does structure in the international system constrain behaviors of international actors? -
Answer Structure constrains behavior of international actors by having a material or
ideational constraint that limits an actor's actions.
For example, the 2015 Iran Nuclear Accord reflects political goals and economic capabilities of
states, along with structural constraints. The US, China, France, Germany, UK and Russia
constraints limited Iran's access to large economies, which influenced their decision to agree to
the accord. Iran agreed to end its nuclear program in exchange for economic gain and an end to
the constraints/sanctions placed on them.
, How does structure constitute actors by influencing their identities and interests? Discuss some
examples. - Answer Structure constitutes actors through material or ideational constitutions
that change an actor's interests through following those rules.
Material: physical characteristics such as distribution of wealth & economic interests of rich and
poor states.
Ideational: European collective identity constitutes interest of political elites.
Example: physical presence of a gun has a different influence than the idea of the gun's power.
Define anarchy and describe its significance in international relations. - Answer Anarchy →
refers to the idea that there is no higher power over the "state-level actors".
Since authority is predominantly held by states, there is no supranational authority. There is no
greater power above the states that makes sure that they hold up to their agreements.
What is the prisoner's dilemma? - Answer Prisoner's Dilemma → used to illustrate political
challenges associated with sustaining cooperation under anarchy. Two-player stylized game of
strategic interaction defined by the distribution of actor preferences over four possible
outcomes
The equilibrium expectation is that players will frequently fail to reach a cooperative agreement
that leaves both players in a better situation.
What are the most prominent actors in the international system? How are they different? -
Answer They are differentiated by interests and capabilities.
States (US, Mexico), Great Powers (China, UK), Domestic Orgs (political parties, unions, chamber
of commerce), International Orgs (NATO, UN), Multinational Orgs (Apple, Toyota), Transnational
Activists & Nongov. Orgs (Doctors Without Borders, Red Cross, Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation), and Individuals (Obama, Trump, Putin).
What components of the international system contributed to the completion of the Iran nuclear
accord? - Answer Iran used their nuclear program as leverage on the US. The accord stated
that Iran had to stop their nuclear weapons program for 10 years, in exchange for relief of
sanctions/structural constraints from US, China, France, Germany, Russia, and the UK. (P5+1
states threatened Iran to follow with these constraints)
President Trump pulled out of this deal, which crippled Iran's economy.
