International Politics Test Bank
What is a problem that stems from using history to study contemporary state interactions? ANS:One's
theoretical orientation may determine one's interpretation of history
True or False: The behavioral approach to the study of international relations draws on the scientific
method ANS:True
Critiques of the behavioral approach argue that ANS:behaviorism focuses too much on data, and
different data may lead to different conclusions
the comparative method of analysis ANS:involves looking at both similarities and differences between
states
saying that the international system is characterized by "anarchy" means ANS:there is no international
authority
True or False: the postmodern approach to international relations calls for the inclusion of the
traditionally "voiceless" actors such as the women of the Greenham Common Peace Camp ANS:True
____________ posits that states define their interests in terms of power, while ________ argues that
states' interests are malleable and ever-changing ANS:realism; constructivism
posing foundational questions and seeking normative answers are characteristic of a ____________
approach to the study of international relations ANS:philosophical
which theoretical perspective posits that states generally cooperate? ANS:liberalism
which of the following is true of the relationship between philosophy and the study of international
relations? ANS:philosophy provides both substantive and methodological contributions to the study of
international relations
which of the following is true regarding the approaches to the study of international relations?
ANS:using a multi-method approach can help us answer key questions in international relations
philosophers help us understand international relations by ANS:highlighting relationships between
individuals and society as well as between societies
using the comparative method, Aristotle concluded that states rise and fall due to ANS:internal factors
Pinker and Dempsey drew different conclusions on whether contemporary relations is more peaceful
than it was in the past because ANS:they were exammining different data
,which theoretical perspective might draw the lesson that had the United States used all its military
might in Vietnam, the outcome may have been different? ANS:Realism
True or False: The goals of the United States in the Vietnam War and the 2003 Iraq War were the same,
making the analogy between them an accurate one ANS:False
The theoretical perspective most focused on the idea that human nature is basically good is
________________ ANS:liberalism
the comparative method of analysis.... ANS:involves looking at both similarities and differences
between states
Constructivism argues that the key structure of the international system are dependent on... ANS:ideas
True or False: all of the following actors affect international relations in important ways: heads of state,
central governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and individuals
ANS:true
theories are developed to help us ANS:describe, explain, and predict interactions
Thucydides concluded that the underlying cause of the Peloponnesian War was ANS:the changing
distribution of power between Athens and Sparta
which of the following studies is an example of the behavioral approach to the study of international
relations? ANS:the correlates of war project
realism posits that ____________ determines the structure of the international system ANS:the
distribution of power among states
the three most prominent theoretical approaches used to study international relations are
ANS:liberalism, realism, and constructivism
the behavioral revolution in American social sciences was spawned primarily by scholars' ANS:belief
that more scientific study of international relations would find underlying patterns of behavior
the ancient Greek historian Thucydides used diplomatic history to ANS:examine the causes of war
the objective of the Correlates of War project was to ANS:find patterns among a number of different
wars
Philosopher Thomas Hobbes described what he calls the "state of nature." What does this concept
illustrate? ANS:anarchy
when studying international relations, constructivists ANS:trace the impact of ideas and cultural factors
on shaping identities
, as an approach to the study of international relations, historical analysis ANS:provides useful
background to many contemporary issues
True or False The Correlates of War project in the behavioral tradition has proven all of its hypotheses
on the causes of war ANS:false
True or False philosophy has made both substantive and methodological contributions to the study of
international relations ANS:true
one reason political scientists develop theories is to ANS:understand the causes of events
the theory that addresses the ethical content of international affairs and explores what "should be" is
known as _________ theory ANS:normative
today's key issues can be easily understood without any reference to history ANS:false
why is competition between theories important? ANS:it helps us identify their strengths and
weaknesses
which theoretical perspective focuses on how social and cultural factors shape policy?
ANS:constructivism
which approach to the study of international relations involves suggesting hypotheses about patterned
interactions and empirically testing them? ANS:behavioralism
important questions of international relations today can be answered with exclusive reliance on the
behavioral approach ANS:false
which of the following is true of constructivists? ANS:they use discourse analysis to answer foundational
questions in the study of international relations
which of the following is true of behavioralism? ANS:it proposes that boht individuals and groups act in
patterned ways
International relations ANS:is the study of the behavior and interaction of actors
Which of the following methods are used in the behavioral approach to international relations? ANS:the
use of empirical methods
True or False: Realist and liberal theories argue that the key structures in the international system are
material, while constructivists argue that they are social and dependent on ideas ANS:True
What does Rosseau's story of the stage and the hare illustrate? ANS:that states follow their short-term
self intersts
The theory that addresses the ethical content of international affairs and explores what "should be" is
known as _________ theory ANS:normative
What is a problem that stems from using history to study contemporary state interactions? ANS:One's
theoretical orientation may determine one's interpretation of history
True or False: The behavioral approach to the study of international relations draws on the scientific
method ANS:True
Critiques of the behavioral approach argue that ANS:behaviorism focuses too much on data, and
different data may lead to different conclusions
the comparative method of analysis ANS:involves looking at both similarities and differences between
states
saying that the international system is characterized by "anarchy" means ANS:there is no international
authority
True or False: the postmodern approach to international relations calls for the inclusion of the
traditionally "voiceless" actors such as the women of the Greenham Common Peace Camp ANS:True
____________ posits that states define their interests in terms of power, while ________ argues that
states' interests are malleable and ever-changing ANS:realism; constructivism
posing foundational questions and seeking normative answers are characteristic of a ____________
approach to the study of international relations ANS:philosophical
which theoretical perspective posits that states generally cooperate? ANS:liberalism
which of the following is true of the relationship between philosophy and the study of international
relations? ANS:philosophy provides both substantive and methodological contributions to the study of
international relations
which of the following is true regarding the approaches to the study of international relations?
ANS:using a multi-method approach can help us answer key questions in international relations
philosophers help us understand international relations by ANS:highlighting relationships between
individuals and society as well as between societies
using the comparative method, Aristotle concluded that states rise and fall due to ANS:internal factors
Pinker and Dempsey drew different conclusions on whether contemporary relations is more peaceful
than it was in the past because ANS:they were exammining different data
,which theoretical perspective might draw the lesson that had the United States used all its military
might in Vietnam, the outcome may have been different? ANS:Realism
True or False: The goals of the United States in the Vietnam War and the 2003 Iraq War were the same,
making the analogy between them an accurate one ANS:False
The theoretical perspective most focused on the idea that human nature is basically good is
________________ ANS:liberalism
the comparative method of analysis.... ANS:involves looking at both similarities and differences
between states
Constructivism argues that the key structure of the international system are dependent on... ANS:ideas
True or False: all of the following actors affect international relations in important ways: heads of state,
central governments, non-governmental organizations, international organizations, and individuals
ANS:true
theories are developed to help us ANS:describe, explain, and predict interactions
Thucydides concluded that the underlying cause of the Peloponnesian War was ANS:the changing
distribution of power between Athens and Sparta
which of the following studies is an example of the behavioral approach to the study of international
relations? ANS:the correlates of war project
realism posits that ____________ determines the structure of the international system ANS:the
distribution of power among states
the three most prominent theoretical approaches used to study international relations are
ANS:liberalism, realism, and constructivism
the behavioral revolution in American social sciences was spawned primarily by scholars' ANS:belief
that more scientific study of international relations would find underlying patterns of behavior
the ancient Greek historian Thucydides used diplomatic history to ANS:examine the causes of war
the objective of the Correlates of War project was to ANS:find patterns among a number of different
wars
Philosopher Thomas Hobbes described what he calls the "state of nature." What does this concept
illustrate? ANS:anarchy
when studying international relations, constructivists ANS:trace the impact of ideas and cultural factors
on shaping identities
, as an approach to the study of international relations, historical analysis ANS:provides useful
background to many contemporary issues
True or False The Correlates of War project in the behavioral tradition has proven all of its hypotheses
on the causes of war ANS:false
True or False philosophy has made both substantive and methodological contributions to the study of
international relations ANS:true
one reason political scientists develop theories is to ANS:understand the causes of events
the theory that addresses the ethical content of international affairs and explores what "should be" is
known as _________ theory ANS:normative
today's key issues can be easily understood without any reference to history ANS:false
why is competition between theories important? ANS:it helps us identify their strengths and
weaknesses
which theoretical perspective focuses on how social and cultural factors shape policy?
ANS:constructivism
which approach to the study of international relations involves suggesting hypotheses about patterned
interactions and empirically testing them? ANS:behavioralism
important questions of international relations today can be answered with exclusive reliance on the
behavioral approach ANS:false
which of the following is true of constructivists? ANS:they use discourse analysis to answer foundational
questions in the study of international relations
which of the following is true of behavioralism? ANS:it proposes that boht individuals and groups act in
patterned ways
International relations ANS:is the study of the behavior and interaction of actors
Which of the following methods are used in the behavioral approach to international relations? ANS:the
use of empirical methods
True or False: Realist and liberal theories argue that the key structures in the international system are
material, while constructivists argue that they are social and dependent on ideas ANS:True
What does Rosseau's story of the stage and the hare illustrate? ANS:that states follow their short-term
self intersts
The theory that addresses the ethical content of international affairs and explores what "should be" is
known as _________ theory ANS:normative
