POWER, SOVEREIGNTY, AND
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
structural power - ANSWER-when a state’s influence the political ideas, structure, and
framework of global politics itself. Ideological struggle between capital and communist
models of economic development; Arab Spring
relational power - ANSWER-when a state has a relationship with another state and use
this relationship to influence the other state to change its behavior. Three types: threats
and rewards, controlling the agenda, and establishing preferences
cyber power - ANSWER-the Internet has empowered new groups both at a state and
individual level. Organizations such as Wikileaks have challenged state security, and
private individuals have launched cyber-attacks against governments and MNEs
realist approach to power - ANSWER-largely hard power politics; states are lock in
competition with each other. States want to protect its national security against threats
from other states in an anarchic world order. States are key actors
defensive realism - ANSWER-states attempt to defend themselves against external
threats
offensive realism - ANSWER-states attempt to expand their power
liberal approach to power - ANSWER-soft power, co-operation, and a rule based
international order are the most effective and safest way of using power. States are
more powerful when they work together, join IGOs, and abide by international law.
Power is distributed amongst a wide range of groups and processes.
Montevideo Convention - ANSWER-Sovereign states should have: (1) a permanent
population; (2) a defined territory and borders; (3) effective government; (4) the capacity
and legitimacy to enter into relations with other states
realist approach to sovereignty - ANSWER-sovereignty is an absolute, inviolable
principle in global politics. Limits the use of force by other states to intrude on the basis
of humanitarian actions
liberal approach to sovereignty - ANSWER-
unipolarity - ANSWER-International system where there is one preeminent state
, multipolarity - ANSWER-International system in which there are three or more power
centers
hegemonic stability theory - ANSWER-A dominate military and economic power is
necessary to ensure stability and prosperity in a liberal world economy
balance of power - ANSWER-a condition in which no one state predominates over
others, creates general equilibrium and crub hegemonic ambitions; affirms realist power
politics; liberals believe it to cause anarchy in the international system
hegemon - ANSWER-a leading or paramount power
security dilemma - ANSWER-a condition in which actions taken by one actor to improve
national security are interpreted as aggressive by other actors, provoking military
counter-moves
bipolarity - ANSWER-international system that revolves around two powers
billiard ball model of global politics - ANSWER-the states are billiard balls that collide
with one another. Sovereignty is the hard impenetrable outer shell of the ball which
enables it to withstand the impact of the collision. Not all balls are the same size, which
is why international politics gives attention to the interests and behavior of 'great
powers'. This model has come under pressure due to growing interdependence
(Mearsheimer)
cobweb model of global politics - ANSWER-as a result of complex interdependence and
the severity of global issues, a web of state relationships have occurred, in which states
are forced to co-operate (Keohane and Nye)
colonialism - ANSWER-the process of a state seeking to establish or maintain control
over other territories or peoples; often with the aim of promoting an economic benefit to
the colonizing power
communism - ANSWER-Marx, Engels; political system in which property is publicly
owned and each person works and is paid according to their needs and abilities
compellence - ANSWER-a tactic or strategy designed to force an adversary to make
concessions against its will through war or the threat of aggression
constitutive theory of statehood - ANSWER-a theory that states are only states because
they are recognized as such by other states
constructism - ANSWER-a theory that emphasises the socially constructed nature of
international relations
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS
structural power - ANSWER-when a state’s influence the political ideas, structure, and
framework of global politics itself. Ideological struggle between capital and communist
models of economic development; Arab Spring
relational power - ANSWER-when a state has a relationship with another state and use
this relationship to influence the other state to change its behavior. Three types: threats
and rewards, controlling the agenda, and establishing preferences
cyber power - ANSWER-the Internet has empowered new groups both at a state and
individual level. Organizations such as Wikileaks have challenged state security, and
private individuals have launched cyber-attacks against governments and MNEs
realist approach to power - ANSWER-largely hard power politics; states are lock in
competition with each other. States want to protect its national security against threats
from other states in an anarchic world order. States are key actors
defensive realism - ANSWER-states attempt to defend themselves against external
threats
offensive realism - ANSWER-states attempt to expand their power
liberal approach to power - ANSWER-soft power, co-operation, and a rule based
international order are the most effective and safest way of using power. States are
more powerful when they work together, join IGOs, and abide by international law.
Power is distributed amongst a wide range of groups and processes.
Montevideo Convention - ANSWER-Sovereign states should have: (1) a permanent
population; (2) a defined territory and borders; (3) effective government; (4) the capacity
and legitimacy to enter into relations with other states
realist approach to sovereignty - ANSWER-sovereignty is an absolute, inviolable
principle in global politics. Limits the use of force by other states to intrude on the basis
of humanitarian actions
liberal approach to sovereignty - ANSWER-
unipolarity - ANSWER-International system where there is one preeminent state
, multipolarity - ANSWER-International system in which there are three or more power
centers
hegemonic stability theory - ANSWER-A dominate military and economic power is
necessary to ensure stability and prosperity in a liberal world economy
balance of power - ANSWER-a condition in which no one state predominates over
others, creates general equilibrium and crub hegemonic ambitions; affirms realist power
politics; liberals believe it to cause anarchy in the international system
hegemon - ANSWER-a leading or paramount power
security dilemma - ANSWER-a condition in which actions taken by one actor to improve
national security are interpreted as aggressive by other actors, provoking military
counter-moves
bipolarity - ANSWER-international system that revolves around two powers
billiard ball model of global politics - ANSWER-the states are billiard balls that collide
with one another. Sovereignty is the hard impenetrable outer shell of the ball which
enables it to withstand the impact of the collision. Not all balls are the same size, which
is why international politics gives attention to the interests and behavior of 'great
powers'. This model has come under pressure due to growing interdependence
(Mearsheimer)
cobweb model of global politics - ANSWER-as a result of complex interdependence and
the severity of global issues, a web of state relationships have occurred, in which states
are forced to co-operate (Keohane and Nye)
colonialism - ANSWER-the process of a state seeking to establish or maintain control
over other territories or peoples; often with the aim of promoting an economic benefit to
the colonizing power
communism - ANSWER-Marx, Engels; political system in which property is publicly
owned and each person works and is paid according to their needs and abilities
compellence - ANSWER-a tactic or strategy designed to force an adversary to make
concessions against its will through war or the threat of aggression
constitutive theory of statehood - ANSWER-a theory that states are only states because
they are recognized as such by other states
constructism - ANSWER-a theory that emphasises the socially constructed nature of
international relations
