INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH ANSWERS #14
War - correct answer Violence carried out by the militaries of states, traditionally state
oriented, often declared, or at least endorsed by governments.
Clausewitz - correct answer His definition of war is politics by other means...war is the
last extension of the political act—rational, goal oriented. Prussian army officer.
Domestic Level of Analysis - correct answer Special characteristics of states, regime
type, greedy states, totalitarianism, democratic peace, democracies vs. Authoritarian
forms of government, what happens within the state matters-->to the external world,
nationalism, economics, etc.
Systemic or Structural Level of Analysis - correct answer Power transition/hegemonic
stability/dynamic differentials theories, security dilemma, cycles—economic, linear long-
term change in system, institutions, balance of power, normative structures (ideas).
Hegemonic War - correct answer World wars as a result of a change in the global or
systemic control. Ex: World War I.
Total War - correct answer Defeat enemy, take territory, capital, occupy.
Limited War - correct answer A war in which the weapons used, the nations or territory
involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way, in particular one in which
the use of nuclear weapons is avoided, limited or single objective in war. Ex: raids,
Vietnam.
Guerrilla War - correct answer Both a type of war and a weapon. It is a form of irregular
warfare in which a small group of combatants such as armed civilians or irregulars use
military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics,
and mobility to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military.
UN Definition of Terrorism - correct answer Criminal acts, including against civilians,
committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostages,
with the purpose to provoke a state of terror in the general public or in a group of
persons or particular persons, intimidate a population or compel a government or an
international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act.
Major Powers in WWI - correct answer Austria-Hungary, Germany, France, Russia, and
England.
Lesser Powers in WWI - correct answer Serbia, Belgium, Italy, and Ottoman Empire.
, Otto Von Bismarck - correct answer Minister-President of Prussia, Chancellor of
Germany, and Foreign Minister. He was a master of Diplomacy, forced Austria-Hungary
and France into several wars that ultimately benefited PRUSSIA. Used Conflict to get
Prussian GAINS. Ultimate manipulation: FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR, 1870-1871.
Outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War - correct answer 1) GERMANY BECOMES A
POWERFUL STATE (empire) led by Emperor/Kaiser William I. 2) A NEW BALANCE
OF POWER IN EUROPE, with strong Germany (most powerful) and weaker France
(they don't accept this). 3) GERMANY TAKES FRENCH PROVINCES OF ALSACE and
LORRAINE (against Bismarck's better judgment-really important) leads to French
revenge motive in foreign policy, consistent until WWI—REVENGE!
French Foreign Policy from 1871-1914 - correct answer Goal: DEFEAT GERMANY, get
back the Alsace and Lorraine, restore French gloire, or glory. Hyper nationalism in
France drives almost all policies.
Differences between IR Theory and FP - correct answer Role of the individual—they
make decisions, INDIVIDUALS MATTER (level of analysis). IR theory wants to predict
general outcomes, while foreign policy determines how and when specific outcomes will
take place. So, while foreign policy can be guided by theoretical ideas about realism,
liberalism, constructivism, etc. (i.e. You can have a realist foreign policy). HOW it is
made is more concerned with PROCESS and the individual and state level variables.
Foreign Policy - correct answer A strategy to achieve state interest, defined as a
RATIONAL PROCESS. It spells out goals and objectives, as well as tactics or methods.
3 Ways Decision-makers Diverge from Rationality - correct answer 1) Perception,
Misperception, Rational
2) Affect, or Affective Bias
3) Cognitive Bias: How you THINK
Organizational Process Model - correct answer Assumes goal and objectives are
already established
Makes decisions based on standard operating procedures (SOP's) that already exist
Competing SOP's can result in: 1) compromise of SOP's, or 2) one dominant SOP
But, this is most relevant to the vast majority of "low-level" decisions which usually leave
out the top level of decision making: i.e. Mid-level appointments within embassy
structures, ceremonial practices with other states in their countries, etc.
Government Bargaining Model - correct answer Notes that different agencies with
competing interests are involved in the decision making process, and they ultimately
bargain for outcomes. They are rational, but seek their own interest as the best means
to national interest. Examples include: State Department vs. Department of Defense
(DOD) or Afghanistan Specialist in State vs. Counter-terrorist specialist in State, etc.
Interest and bargaining are key. Outcome is bargain of interests of the agencies or
bureaucracies.
WITH ANSWERS #14
War - correct answer Violence carried out by the militaries of states, traditionally state
oriented, often declared, or at least endorsed by governments.
Clausewitz - correct answer His definition of war is politics by other means...war is the
last extension of the political act—rational, goal oriented. Prussian army officer.
Domestic Level of Analysis - correct answer Special characteristics of states, regime
type, greedy states, totalitarianism, democratic peace, democracies vs. Authoritarian
forms of government, what happens within the state matters-->to the external world,
nationalism, economics, etc.
Systemic or Structural Level of Analysis - correct answer Power transition/hegemonic
stability/dynamic differentials theories, security dilemma, cycles—economic, linear long-
term change in system, institutions, balance of power, normative structures (ideas).
Hegemonic War - correct answer World wars as a result of a change in the global or
systemic control. Ex: World War I.
Total War - correct answer Defeat enemy, take territory, capital, occupy.
Limited War - correct answer A war in which the weapons used, the nations or territory
involved, or the objectives pursued are restricted in some way, in particular one in which
the use of nuclear weapons is avoided, limited or single objective in war. Ex: raids,
Vietnam.
Guerrilla War - correct answer Both a type of war and a weapon. It is a form of irregular
warfare in which a small group of combatants such as armed civilians or irregulars use
military tactics including ambushes, sabotage, raids, petty warfare, hit-and-run tactics,
and mobility to fight a larger and less-mobile traditional military.
UN Definition of Terrorism - correct answer Criminal acts, including against civilians,
committed with the intent to cause death or serious bodily injury, or taking of hostages,
with the purpose to provoke a state of terror in the general public or in a group of
persons or particular persons, intimidate a population or compel a government or an
international organization to do or to abstain from doing any act.
Major Powers in WWI - correct answer Austria-Hungary, Germany, France, Russia, and
England.
Lesser Powers in WWI - correct answer Serbia, Belgium, Italy, and Ottoman Empire.
, Otto Von Bismarck - correct answer Minister-President of Prussia, Chancellor of
Germany, and Foreign Minister. He was a master of Diplomacy, forced Austria-Hungary
and France into several wars that ultimately benefited PRUSSIA. Used Conflict to get
Prussian GAINS. Ultimate manipulation: FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR, 1870-1871.
Outcomes of the Franco-Prussian War - correct answer 1) GERMANY BECOMES A
POWERFUL STATE (empire) led by Emperor/Kaiser William I. 2) A NEW BALANCE
OF POWER IN EUROPE, with strong Germany (most powerful) and weaker France
(they don't accept this). 3) GERMANY TAKES FRENCH PROVINCES OF ALSACE and
LORRAINE (against Bismarck's better judgment-really important) leads to French
revenge motive in foreign policy, consistent until WWI—REVENGE!
French Foreign Policy from 1871-1914 - correct answer Goal: DEFEAT GERMANY, get
back the Alsace and Lorraine, restore French gloire, or glory. Hyper nationalism in
France drives almost all policies.
Differences between IR Theory and FP - correct answer Role of the individual—they
make decisions, INDIVIDUALS MATTER (level of analysis). IR theory wants to predict
general outcomes, while foreign policy determines how and when specific outcomes will
take place. So, while foreign policy can be guided by theoretical ideas about realism,
liberalism, constructivism, etc. (i.e. You can have a realist foreign policy). HOW it is
made is more concerned with PROCESS and the individual and state level variables.
Foreign Policy - correct answer A strategy to achieve state interest, defined as a
RATIONAL PROCESS. It spells out goals and objectives, as well as tactics or methods.
3 Ways Decision-makers Diverge from Rationality - correct answer 1) Perception,
Misperception, Rational
2) Affect, or Affective Bias
3) Cognitive Bias: How you THINK
Organizational Process Model - correct answer Assumes goal and objectives are
already established
Makes decisions based on standard operating procedures (SOP's) that already exist
Competing SOP's can result in: 1) compromise of SOP's, or 2) one dominant SOP
But, this is most relevant to the vast majority of "low-level" decisions which usually leave
out the top level of decision making: i.e. Mid-level appointments within embassy
structures, ceremonial practices with other states in their countries, etc.
Government Bargaining Model - correct answer Notes that different agencies with
competing interests are involved in the decision making process, and they ultimately
bargain for outcomes. They are rational, but seek their own interest as the best means
to national interest. Examples include: State Department vs. Department of Defense
(DOD) or Afghanistan Specialist in State vs. Counter-terrorist specialist in State, etc.
Interest and bargaining are key. Outcome is bargain of interests of the agencies or
bureaucracies.
