INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS THREE
LEVELS OF ANALYSIS FLASHCARDS
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
What is the System-level Analysis or third level of analysis? - ANSWER-Attempts to
explain international relations by focusing on the manner in which the structure of the
international system shapes or constrains the actions of states. It is the third image,
which across, over, or between countries known as international organizations. There
are external restraints or characteristics of the system.
What are transnational movements? - ANSWER-May involve nonprofits, organizations,
civil movements, etc. Transnational is not wholly distinct from international. It tends to
be more grassroots. Global terrorist organizations and epistemic communities, and
ethnic or religious groups that live in more than one country.
What is anarchy? - ANSWER-The absence of an international sovereign who is in
charge of international policy. In the international state, there is no higher authority that
has a monopoly of control over all the states in the world. There are partial efforts at a
monopoly through sanctions and international organizations.
What is vertical authority structure? - ANSWER-Subordinate units are substantially
regulated by higher levels of authority. Our systems are situated toward the horizontal
authority structure end of the continuum. There are few, if any, higher authorities in such
systems, and power is fragmented.
What is a Power Pole? - ANSWER-International systems have been defined in part by
how many powerful actors each as. Such an actor can be (1) a single country or empire,
(2) an alliance, or could be (3) a global IGO, such as the UN, or (4) a regional IGO, such
as the EU.
What is the Balance-of-Power Politics Theory? - ANSWER-(1) All states are power
seeking; (2) ultimately, a state or bloc will attempt to become hegemonic, that is,
dominate the system; and (3) other states will attempt to block that dominance by
increasing their own power and/or cooperating with other states in an anteihegemonic
effort.
What is a unipolar system? - ANSWER-One superpower that establishes and enforces
rule and dominates military and economic instruments. They settle disputes between
subordinate units, and resist attempts by subordinate units to achieve independence or
greater autonomy.
LEVELS OF ANALYSIS FLASHCARDS
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
ANSWERS
What is the System-level Analysis or third level of analysis? - ANSWER-Attempts to
explain international relations by focusing on the manner in which the structure of the
international system shapes or constrains the actions of states. It is the third image,
which across, over, or between countries known as international organizations. There
are external restraints or characteristics of the system.
What are transnational movements? - ANSWER-May involve nonprofits, organizations,
civil movements, etc. Transnational is not wholly distinct from international. It tends to
be more grassroots. Global terrorist organizations and epistemic communities, and
ethnic or religious groups that live in more than one country.
What is anarchy? - ANSWER-The absence of an international sovereign who is in
charge of international policy. In the international state, there is no higher authority that
has a monopoly of control over all the states in the world. There are partial efforts at a
monopoly through sanctions and international organizations.
What is vertical authority structure? - ANSWER-Subordinate units are substantially
regulated by higher levels of authority. Our systems are situated toward the horizontal
authority structure end of the continuum. There are few, if any, higher authorities in such
systems, and power is fragmented.
What is a Power Pole? - ANSWER-International systems have been defined in part by
how many powerful actors each as. Such an actor can be (1) a single country or empire,
(2) an alliance, or could be (3) a global IGO, such as the UN, or (4) a regional IGO, such
as the EU.
What is the Balance-of-Power Politics Theory? - ANSWER-(1) All states are power
seeking; (2) ultimately, a state or bloc will attempt to become hegemonic, that is,
dominate the system; and (3) other states will attempt to block that dominance by
increasing their own power and/or cooperating with other states in an anteihegemonic
effort.
What is a unipolar system? - ANSWER-One superpower that establishes and enforces
rule and dominates military and economic instruments. They settle disputes between
subordinate units, and resist attempts by subordinate units to achieve independence or
greater autonomy.
