International Security & Strategic Studies | 200 Practice
Questions & Detailed Answers | Complete Course
Summary 2025–2026 | The Social Codex | A+ Graded
1. Which of the following best defines the concept of "international security" as understood in the field
of Strategic Studies?
A) The absence of all conflict between states
B) The study of the role and functions of military forces in international politics
C) The economic interdependence between nations
D) The promotion of human rights globally
Answer: B
Rationale: International Security, also known as Strategic Studies, is an established field within
International Relations that focuses specifically on the role and functions of military forces in
international politics. It is not simply the absence of conflict, but rather a systematic study of how states
use and prepare military power.
2. According to realist approaches to International Relations, what is the primary object of security?
A) The sovereignty of individual citizens
B) The sovereign state itself
C) International organizations
D) Economic prosperity
Answer: B
,Rationale: Virtually all realist approaches to International Relations regard the sovereign state itself as
the major object of security. Realism emphasizes that states are the primary actors in international
politics and that their survival and security are paramount.
3. The security dilemma, first coined by John H. Herz, refers to:
A) A situation where states cooperate to achieve mutual security
B) A situation where actions taken by a state to increase its own security cause reactions from other
states, leading to a decrease rather than an increase in the original state's security
C) A formal treaty arrangement between allies
D) The complete absence of military threats
Answer: B
Rationale: The security dilemma is a situation in which actions taken by a state to increase its own
security cause reactions from other states, which in turn lead to a decrease rather than an increase in
the original state's security. It is one of the most important theoretical ideas in international relations.
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the basic functions of management as applied to healthcare?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Diagnosing
C) Controlling
Answer: C
,5. Which of the following is a key feature of the security dilemma?
A) States can easily distinguish between offensive and defensive intentions
B) Military preparations by one state create uncertainty in the minds of other states
C) Security dilemmas only occur between allies
D) Security dilemmas are easily resolved through diplomacy
Answer: B
Rationale: The security dilemma exists when the military preparations and foreign policy behavior of
one state create an irresolvable uncertainty in the mind of another state as to whether those
preparations are for defensive purposes only or for offensive purposes.
6. Realism as a theory of international security emphasizes:
A) The power of international institutions to prevent war
B) The enduring logic of conflict among states
C) The importance of economic interdependence
D) The role of ideas in transforming the international system
Answer: B
Rationale: Realism emphasizes the enduring logic of conflict among states. It views international politics
as a struggle for power and security in an anarchic system where states must rely on their own
capabilities.
, 7. Liberalism in international security theory emphasizes:
A) The inevitability of war between states
B) Several ways to mitigate the likelihood of conflict
C) The primacy of military power
D) The irrelevance of international institutions
Answer: B
Rationale: Liberalism identifies several ways to mitigate the likelihood of conflict, including international
institutions, economic interdependence, and democratic peace.
8. Constructivism in international security highlights:
A) The material distribution of power
B) The power of ideas to transform the international system
C) The inevitability of the security dilemma
D) The primacy of economic factors
Answer: B
Rationale: Constructivism highlights the power of ideas to transform the international system. It
emphasizes that norms, rules, values, and expectations shape state behavior and security dynamics.
9. According to Carl von Clausewitz, war is:
A) An entirely military phenomenon
Questions & Detailed Answers | Complete Course
Summary 2025–2026 | The Social Codex | A+ Graded
1. Which of the following best defines the concept of "international security" as understood in the field
of Strategic Studies?
A) The absence of all conflict between states
B) The study of the role and functions of military forces in international politics
C) The economic interdependence between nations
D) The promotion of human rights globally
Answer: B
Rationale: International Security, also known as Strategic Studies, is an established field within
International Relations that focuses specifically on the role and functions of military forces in
international politics. It is not simply the absence of conflict, but rather a systematic study of how states
use and prepare military power.
2. According to realist approaches to International Relations, what is the primary object of security?
A) The sovereignty of individual citizens
B) The sovereign state itself
C) International organizations
D) Economic prosperity
Answer: B
,Rationale: Virtually all realist approaches to International Relations regard the sovereign state itself as
the major object of security. Realism emphasizes that states are the primary actors in international
politics and that their survival and security are paramount.
3. The security dilemma, first coined by John H. Herz, refers to:
A) A situation where states cooperate to achieve mutual security
B) A situation where actions taken by a state to increase its own security cause reactions from other
states, leading to a decrease rather than an increase in the original state's security
C) A formal treaty arrangement between allies
D) The complete absence of military threats
Answer: B
Rationale: The security dilemma is a situation in which actions taken by a state to increase its own
security cause reactions from other states, which in turn lead to a decrease rather than an increase in
the original state's security. It is one of the most important theoretical ideas in international relations.
4. Which of the following is NOT one of the basic functions of management as applied to healthcare?
A) Planning
B) Organizing
C) Diagnosing
C) Controlling
Answer: C
,5. Which of the following is a key feature of the security dilemma?
A) States can easily distinguish between offensive and defensive intentions
B) Military preparations by one state create uncertainty in the minds of other states
C) Security dilemmas only occur between allies
D) Security dilemmas are easily resolved through diplomacy
Answer: B
Rationale: The security dilemma exists when the military preparations and foreign policy behavior of
one state create an irresolvable uncertainty in the mind of another state as to whether those
preparations are for defensive purposes only or for offensive purposes.
6. Realism as a theory of international security emphasizes:
A) The power of international institutions to prevent war
B) The enduring logic of conflict among states
C) The importance of economic interdependence
D) The role of ideas in transforming the international system
Answer: B
Rationale: Realism emphasizes the enduring logic of conflict among states. It views international politics
as a struggle for power and security in an anarchic system where states must rely on their own
capabilities.
, 7. Liberalism in international security theory emphasizes:
A) The inevitability of war between states
B) Several ways to mitigate the likelihood of conflict
C) The primacy of military power
D) The irrelevance of international institutions
Answer: B
Rationale: Liberalism identifies several ways to mitigate the likelihood of conflict, including international
institutions, economic interdependence, and democratic peace.
8. Constructivism in international security highlights:
A) The material distribution of power
B) The power of ideas to transform the international system
C) The inevitability of the security dilemma
D) The primacy of economic factors
Answer: B
Rationale: Constructivism highlights the power of ideas to transform the international system. It
emphasizes that norms, rules, values, and expectations shape state behavior and security dynamics.
9. According to Carl von Clausewitz, war is:
A) An entirely military phenomenon
