Midterm 1 International Politics NYU Questions and
Answers
Assumptions of Realism/Neorealism (4)
1. International Politics is anarchic.
2. States are rational, unitary actors. They are key to international politics.
3. Stats try to maximize their security above all else, and consider other factors
only after security is assured.
4. States try to increase their power so long as doing so does not place their
security at risk.
Hypotheses of Realism/Neorealism (3)
1. Bipolarity more stable than multipolarity.
2. War is avoided by balancing power.
3. Alliances are a way to balance power/protect security.
Strategic Perspective Principles (3)
1. Leaders care about themselves.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics.
3. Relations between nations and between leaders are driven by strategic
considerations.
,Rational Actor Preferences
1. Completeness: can compare alternatives.
2. Transitivity: if x>y>z, then x>z.
Power Transition Theory
Generally, the hegemon is going to be displaced by a great power
1. Status quo more nearly reflects interests of dominant state and great powers
2. Shaded area in Figure represents satisfied states
3. Small states much more often dissatisfied
How realistic is Balance of Power?
Realist claims that bipolarity promotes stability and that uncertainty provokes
instability, that states mimic each other, and that BOP fosters stability are logically
flawed and unsupported
How realistic is Power Transition Theory?
Power transition theory is more consistent with the historical facts
, Necessary vs Sufficient (2)
1. A necessary condition for "s" is something that has to be true for "s" to be
realized.
2. A sufficient condition for "s" is something that if true, guarantees "s" (ONE OF
MANY POSSIBLE SITUATIONS). All of the necessary conditions have to hold for "s"
to be true.
If A is a necessary condition for B, then is B a sufficient condition for A?
Yes
If A is a sufficient condition for B, then A is a necessary condition for B?
No
Three Principles of International Politics
The actions that leaders take to influence events in the international
arena are motivated by their personal welfare and, especially, by a desire
to stay in office. Leaders define the national interest to coincide with
their personal interests.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics. Every
foreign policy action is undertaken in the shadow of the domestic
political consequences the action is expected to produce. Therefore, if a
Answers
Assumptions of Realism/Neorealism (4)
1. International Politics is anarchic.
2. States are rational, unitary actors. They are key to international politics.
3. Stats try to maximize their security above all else, and consider other factors
only after security is assured.
4. States try to increase their power so long as doing so does not place their
security at risk.
Hypotheses of Realism/Neorealism (3)
1. Bipolarity more stable than multipolarity.
2. War is avoided by balancing power.
3. Alliances are a way to balance power/protect security.
Strategic Perspective Principles (3)
1. Leaders care about themselves.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics.
3. Relations between nations and between leaders are driven by strategic
considerations.
,Rational Actor Preferences
1. Completeness: can compare alternatives.
2. Transitivity: if x>y>z, then x>z.
Power Transition Theory
Generally, the hegemon is going to be displaced by a great power
1. Status quo more nearly reflects interests of dominant state and great powers
2. Shaded area in Figure represents satisfied states
3. Small states much more often dissatisfied
How realistic is Balance of Power?
Realist claims that bipolarity promotes stability and that uncertainty provokes
instability, that states mimic each other, and that BOP fosters stability are logically
flawed and unsupported
How realistic is Power Transition Theory?
Power transition theory is more consistent with the historical facts
, Necessary vs Sufficient (2)
1. A necessary condition for "s" is something that has to be true for "s" to be
realized.
2. A sufficient condition for "s" is something that if true, guarantees "s" (ONE OF
MANY POSSIBLE SITUATIONS). All of the necessary conditions have to hold for "s"
to be true.
If A is a necessary condition for B, then is B a sufficient condition for A?
Yes
If A is a sufficient condition for B, then A is a necessary condition for B?
No
Three Principles of International Politics
The actions that leaders take to influence events in the international
arena are motivated by their personal welfare and, especially, by a desire
to stay in office. Leaders define the national interest to coincide with
their personal interests.
2. International relations cannot be separated from domestic politics. Every
foreign policy action is undertaken in the shadow of the domestic
political consequences the action is expected to produce. Therefore, if a
