POSC 2601 MIDTERM QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Anarchy - ANSWERAnti-authoritarian political philosophy that reject hierarchies
deemed unjust and advocates their replacement with self-managed, self-governed
societies based on voluntary, cooperative institutions.
Security Dilemma - ANSWERA situation in which actions taken by a state to
increase its own security cause reactions from other states.
Democracy - ANSWERThe doctrine that the entire population of a nation, rather than
a small elite or single monarch, should control government.
Purpose - ANSWERThe goals that actors pursue, including the notion of "national
interest." Whether actors see themselves as having shared or competing goals is a
central concern.
International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) - ANSWEROrganizations whose
membership consists of three or more nation-states. (the United Nations, NATO,
etc.)
Collective Action Problem - ANSWERA situation in which the members of a group
would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is
better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
Failure to solve the access to justice problem.
Sovereignty - ANSWERSupreme power or authority.
Levels of Analysis - ANSWERThe unit (individual, state, or systemic) that a theory
focuses on in its general explanation.
Individual - ANSWERLocates the cause of events in individual leaders or the
immediate circle of decision makers within a particular country.
Domestic - ANSWERLocates cause in the character of the domestic system of
specific states.
Systemic - ANSWERExplains outcomes from a system wide level that includes all
states.
Rational Choice Theory - ANSWERTheory that bases explanations of decisions on
the assumption that decision makers have clear goals, calculate the costs of various
course of action, and pick the policy that will best serve their goals.
State - ANSWERAn entity defined by a specific territory within which a single
government has authority; or the government and political system of a country.
, "Realist" Theory - ANSWER"Survival of the fittest" or conflict over cooperation.
States are seen as unitary rational actors (use of military acceptable).
Nation - ANSWERA politically organized body of people under a single government
"Liberalist" Theory - ANSWERCooperation between nations and not conflict. (Must
be accomplished by creating international institutions).
Nation-State - ANSWERAn ethnic group usually with a shared language, history, and
homeland (a geographical region which they claim exclusive rights to)
(Germany, Japan, France, Poland)
Liberalism - ANSWER-Individuals
-States: are rational, but no unitary (domestic politics matters)
-Institutions, Democracy, and Interdependence
-Absolute Gains
-Prosperity and Persuasion
-Enlightened Self-Interest
-National Interest and the Greater Good
Differences between Nation and State - ANSWERNation:
-Ethnic groups of people
State:
-Defined Territory
-Permanent Population
-Effective Government
-Enter relations with other states
-Sovereignty
Interdependence - ANSWERA relationship between countries in which they rely on
one another for resources, goods, or services.
Power - ANSWERThe ability of an actor to achieve its goals. Exactly what
constitutes power and how to measure it are vexing problems in international
relations.
National Interest - ANSWERA foreign policy goal that is objectively valuable for the
overall well-being of the state. The concept is important in realist theory and in
foreign policy discussions, but some dispute that there is any single national interest.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) - ANSWERA broad category of diverse
organizations, including groups similar to domestic interest groups but with
transnational concerns and organizational structures, and groups that focus not on
influencing government, but on conducting activities in different countries. (Red
Cross, WWF, OxFam, etc.)
ANSWERS(RATED A+)
Anarchy - ANSWERAnti-authoritarian political philosophy that reject hierarchies
deemed unjust and advocates their replacement with self-managed, self-governed
societies based on voluntary, cooperative institutions.
Security Dilemma - ANSWERA situation in which actions taken by a state to
increase its own security cause reactions from other states.
Democracy - ANSWERThe doctrine that the entire population of a nation, rather than
a small elite or single monarch, should control government.
Purpose - ANSWERThe goals that actors pursue, including the notion of "national
interest." Whether actors see themselves as having shared or competing goals is a
central concern.
International Governmental Organizations (IGOs) - ANSWEROrganizations whose
membership consists of three or more nation-states. (the United Nations, NATO,
etc.)
Collective Action Problem - ANSWERA situation in which the members of a group
would benefit by working together to produce some outcome, but each individual is
better off refusing to cooperate and reaping benefits from those who do the work.
Failure to solve the access to justice problem.
Sovereignty - ANSWERSupreme power or authority.
Levels of Analysis - ANSWERThe unit (individual, state, or systemic) that a theory
focuses on in its general explanation.
Individual - ANSWERLocates the cause of events in individual leaders or the
immediate circle of decision makers within a particular country.
Domestic - ANSWERLocates cause in the character of the domestic system of
specific states.
Systemic - ANSWERExplains outcomes from a system wide level that includes all
states.
Rational Choice Theory - ANSWERTheory that bases explanations of decisions on
the assumption that decision makers have clear goals, calculate the costs of various
course of action, and pick the policy that will best serve their goals.
State - ANSWERAn entity defined by a specific territory within which a single
government has authority; or the government and political system of a country.
, "Realist" Theory - ANSWER"Survival of the fittest" or conflict over cooperation.
States are seen as unitary rational actors (use of military acceptable).
Nation - ANSWERA politically organized body of people under a single government
"Liberalist" Theory - ANSWERCooperation between nations and not conflict. (Must
be accomplished by creating international institutions).
Nation-State - ANSWERAn ethnic group usually with a shared language, history, and
homeland (a geographical region which they claim exclusive rights to)
(Germany, Japan, France, Poland)
Liberalism - ANSWER-Individuals
-States: are rational, but no unitary (domestic politics matters)
-Institutions, Democracy, and Interdependence
-Absolute Gains
-Prosperity and Persuasion
-Enlightened Self-Interest
-National Interest and the Greater Good
Differences between Nation and State - ANSWERNation:
-Ethnic groups of people
State:
-Defined Territory
-Permanent Population
-Effective Government
-Enter relations with other states
-Sovereignty
Interdependence - ANSWERA relationship between countries in which they rely on
one another for resources, goods, or services.
Power - ANSWERThe ability of an actor to achieve its goals. Exactly what
constitutes power and how to measure it are vexing problems in international
relations.
National Interest - ANSWERA foreign policy goal that is objectively valuable for the
overall well-being of the state. The concept is important in realist theory and in
foreign policy discussions, but some dispute that there is any single national interest.
Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) - ANSWERA broad category of diverse
organizations, including groups similar to domestic interest groups but with
transnational concerns and organizational structures, and groups that focus not on
influencing government, but on conducting activities in different countries. (Red
Cross, WWF, OxFam, etc.)
