1
POLI 105 EXAM 2 IR VCU Questions with Answers
(100% Correct Answers)
What is the definition of war? Answer: Politics by other means (as
defined by Clausewitz
- rational
goal oreinted
individual level of analysis for war Answer: rationality (as a cause);
irrationality, role of education, experience, mentality of leaders
domestic level of analysis for war Answer: special characteristics of
state; regime type; greedy states; democratic peace; democracies vs
authoritarian; nationalism; economics
systemic/ structural level of analysis for war Answer: power transition ;
security dilemma; role of systemic changes in technology
hegemonic Answer: change in the global or systemic control (ex:
Germany unification as a rise in power in Europe)
Total war Answer: defeat enemy, take territory, capital, occupy
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,2
Reasons for using a nuclear weapon in japan Answer: to end ww2
First Nuclear Arms Race was between who? Answer: USA & Germany
what did ww1 look like in august 1914? Answer: - A-H, Germany, France,
Russia, & England were major superpowers. - Ottoman empire, Serbia,
& Belgium are lesser actors.
- all powers are in a tight balance & any attempt to gain territory will
diectly impede on territory of ht other.
- there's a causal potential in the balance of power
Civil War definition Answer: - control of the state government. - Have 2
goals: irredentism or territorial control, secession
Guerilla Answer: both a type of war & a weapon
Terrorism Answer: used instead of war
terrorism defined Answer: - defined post 9/11 attacks, the UNSC
resolution only applied to al qaeda & taliban.
- US Security council in oct 2004 defines terrorism
What is terrorism? Answer: it is rational: a means to an end
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, 3
difference between terrorism & interstate war Answer: in terrorism,
actors are non state
- designed to inflict tERROR, target civilians
- often not related to goal at all & are merely to demonstrate intention/
capability
- achieving political goals is less likely
- others do not negotiate
- terrorists cannot return to normal life & will always be branded as
terrorists
why ww1 is overdetermined Answer: many many credible studies that
have determined the cause add each seems fit. Parsimony though
comes into play & we need to know WHICH cause is the best. but there
are so many good ones.
Franco-Prussian War has three key outcomes Answer: - A NEW
BALANCE OF POWER IN EUROPE, strong Germany, weak France
- (unification) GERMANY BECOMES A POWERFUL STATE (empire) led
by Emperor/Kaiser William
© 2025 All rights reserved
POLI 105 EXAM 2 IR VCU Questions with Answers
(100% Correct Answers)
What is the definition of war? Answer: Politics by other means (as
defined by Clausewitz
- rational
goal oreinted
individual level of analysis for war Answer: rationality (as a cause);
irrationality, role of education, experience, mentality of leaders
domestic level of analysis for war Answer: special characteristics of
state; regime type; greedy states; democratic peace; democracies vs
authoritarian; nationalism; economics
systemic/ structural level of analysis for war Answer: power transition ;
security dilemma; role of systemic changes in technology
hegemonic Answer: change in the global or systemic control (ex:
Germany unification as a rise in power in Europe)
Total war Answer: defeat enemy, take territory, capital, occupy
© 2025 All rights reserved
,2
Reasons for using a nuclear weapon in japan Answer: to end ww2
First Nuclear Arms Race was between who? Answer: USA & Germany
what did ww1 look like in august 1914? Answer: - A-H, Germany, France,
Russia, & England were major superpowers. - Ottoman empire, Serbia,
& Belgium are lesser actors.
- all powers are in a tight balance & any attempt to gain territory will
diectly impede on territory of ht other.
- there's a causal potential in the balance of power
Civil War definition Answer: - control of the state government. - Have 2
goals: irredentism or territorial control, secession
Guerilla Answer: both a type of war & a weapon
Terrorism Answer: used instead of war
terrorism defined Answer: - defined post 9/11 attacks, the UNSC
resolution only applied to al qaeda & taliban.
- US Security council in oct 2004 defines terrorism
What is terrorism? Answer: it is rational: a means to an end
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3
difference between terrorism & interstate war Answer: in terrorism,
actors are non state
- designed to inflict tERROR, target civilians
- often not related to goal at all & are merely to demonstrate intention/
capability
- achieving political goals is less likely
- others do not negotiate
- terrorists cannot return to normal life & will always be branded as
terrorists
why ww1 is overdetermined Answer: many many credible studies that
have determined the cause add each seems fit. Parsimony though
comes into play & we need to know WHICH cause is the best. but there
are so many good ones.
Franco-Prussian War has three key outcomes Answer: - A NEW
BALANCE OF POWER IN EUROPE, strong Germany, weak France
- (unification) GERMANY BECOMES A POWERFUL STATE (empire) led
by Emperor/Kaiser William
© 2025 All rights reserved
