INTRODUCTION TO THE SUBJECT OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDY
SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Dominance is complex, and not just a matter of brute force because it involves both
power and soft power. - ANSWER-Why is Dominance complex?
The Principle of Dominance underlies the great power system, in which a handful of
countries dictate the rules for all the others. - ANSWER-What does the Principle of
Dominance underlie?
A hegemon or a superpower stands atop great powers the dominant nation. One
example is Great Britain from the early 19th century to the 20th century. The United
Nations Security Council is another example, wherein the world's five strongest military
powers hold a veto (China, Russia, Great Britain, USA, and France). - ANSWER-What
is a hegemon? What is an example of a hegemon?
The Reciprocity Principle of International Relations solves the Collective Goods
Problem by rewarding behavior that contributes to the group and punishing behavior
that pursues self-interest at the expense of the group. It can be enforced without a
central authority and it makes individuals cooperate for the common good. - ANSWER-
What is the Principle of Reciprocity in International Relations?
The disadvantage of reciprocity as a solution to the collective goods problem is that it
can lead to a downward spiral as each side punishes what it believes to be negative
acts by the other. For example, environmental problems can prove to be divisive.
Economic sanctions could be imposed if there is disagreement. - ANSWER-What is the
disadvantage of the Principle of Reciprocity in International Relations?
In International Relations, reciprocity forms the basis of most of the norms (habits and
expectations) and institutions in the international system, For example, World Trade
Organization (WTO) agreements recognize reciprocity as the essential of cooperation. If
one country opens its markets to another's goods, the other opens its markets in return.
On the negative side, reciprocity fuels arms races as each side responds to the other's
buildup of weapons, But it also allows arms control agreements and other step-by-step
conflict resolution measures, as two sides match each other's actions in backing away
from the brink of war. - ANSWER-Why does the Principle of Reciprocity form the basis
of most of the norms (habits and expectations) and institutions in the international
system?
The identity principle involves identities of the participants as members of a certain
community. The identity principle pursues the interests of others in an identity
community. - ANSWER-What is the Principle of Identity in International Relations?
, If the principles of dominance and reciprocity act on the idea of achieving self-interest,
the principle of identity cares about the interests of others in that community enough to
sacrifice their own interests to benefit others. - ANSWER-How does the Principle of
Identity differ from the Dominance and Reciprocity Principles of International Relations?
The roots of the identity principle lie in the family, the extended family, and the kinship
group. - ANSWER-What is the origin of the Identity Principle of International Relations?
In International Relations, identity communities play an important role in overcoming
difficult collective goods problems, including the issue of who contributes to
development assistance, world health, and UN peacekeeping missions. - ANSWER-
Why is the Identity Principle important in International Relations?
The relatively large foreign aid contributions of Scandinavian counties, or the high
Canadian participation in peacekeeping, cannot be explained well by self-interest, but
arise from these countries' self-defined identities as members of the international
community. - ANSWER-What are some examples of the Identity Principle in
International Relations?
Non-state actors, such as non-governmental organizations or terrorist networks, also
rely on identity politics to a great extent. The increasing role of these actors - feminist
organizations, churches, jihadists, and multinational corporations, for example - have
brought the identity principle to greater prominence in International Relations theory in
recent years. - ANSWER-How does the Identity Principle of International Relations
apply to Non-state actors?
Order, Stability, Predictability - ANSWER-What are the advantages of the Dominance
Principle in International Relations?
Oppression, Resentment - ANSWER-What are the disadvantages of the Dominance
Principle in International Relations?
Incentives for Mutual Cooperation - ANSWER-What is the advantage of the Reciprocity
Principle of International Relations?
Downward Spirals; Complex Accounting - ANSWER-What are the disadvantages of the
Reciprocity Principle of International Relations?
Sacrifice for Group, Redefine Interests - ANSWER-What are the advantages of the
Identity Principle of International Relations?
Demonizing an out-group - ANSWER-What is the disadvantage of the Identity Principle
of International Relations?
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS STUDY
SET EXAM QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Dominance is complex, and not just a matter of brute force because it involves both
power and soft power. - ANSWER-Why is Dominance complex?
The Principle of Dominance underlies the great power system, in which a handful of
countries dictate the rules for all the others. - ANSWER-What does the Principle of
Dominance underlie?
A hegemon or a superpower stands atop great powers the dominant nation. One
example is Great Britain from the early 19th century to the 20th century. The United
Nations Security Council is another example, wherein the world's five strongest military
powers hold a veto (China, Russia, Great Britain, USA, and France). - ANSWER-What
is a hegemon? What is an example of a hegemon?
The Reciprocity Principle of International Relations solves the Collective Goods
Problem by rewarding behavior that contributes to the group and punishing behavior
that pursues self-interest at the expense of the group. It can be enforced without a
central authority and it makes individuals cooperate for the common good. - ANSWER-
What is the Principle of Reciprocity in International Relations?
The disadvantage of reciprocity as a solution to the collective goods problem is that it
can lead to a downward spiral as each side punishes what it believes to be negative
acts by the other. For example, environmental problems can prove to be divisive.
Economic sanctions could be imposed if there is disagreement. - ANSWER-What is the
disadvantage of the Principle of Reciprocity in International Relations?
In International Relations, reciprocity forms the basis of most of the norms (habits and
expectations) and institutions in the international system, For example, World Trade
Organization (WTO) agreements recognize reciprocity as the essential of cooperation. If
one country opens its markets to another's goods, the other opens its markets in return.
On the negative side, reciprocity fuels arms races as each side responds to the other's
buildup of weapons, But it also allows arms control agreements and other step-by-step
conflict resolution measures, as two sides match each other's actions in backing away
from the brink of war. - ANSWER-Why does the Principle of Reciprocity form the basis
of most of the norms (habits and expectations) and institutions in the international
system?
The identity principle involves identities of the participants as members of a certain
community. The identity principle pursues the interests of others in an identity
community. - ANSWER-What is the Principle of Identity in International Relations?
, If the principles of dominance and reciprocity act on the idea of achieving self-interest,
the principle of identity cares about the interests of others in that community enough to
sacrifice their own interests to benefit others. - ANSWER-How does the Principle of
Identity differ from the Dominance and Reciprocity Principles of International Relations?
The roots of the identity principle lie in the family, the extended family, and the kinship
group. - ANSWER-What is the origin of the Identity Principle of International Relations?
In International Relations, identity communities play an important role in overcoming
difficult collective goods problems, including the issue of who contributes to
development assistance, world health, and UN peacekeeping missions. - ANSWER-
Why is the Identity Principle important in International Relations?
The relatively large foreign aid contributions of Scandinavian counties, or the high
Canadian participation in peacekeeping, cannot be explained well by self-interest, but
arise from these countries' self-defined identities as members of the international
community. - ANSWER-What are some examples of the Identity Principle in
International Relations?
Non-state actors, such as non-governmental organizations or terrorist networks, also
rely on identity politics to a great extent. The increasing role of these actors - feminist
organizations, churches, jihadists, and multinational corporations, for example - have
brought the identity principle to greater prominence in International Relations theory in
recent years. - ANSWER-How does the Identity Principle of International Relations
apply to Non-state actors?
Order, Stability, Predictability - ANSWER-What are the advantages of the Dominance
Principle in International Relations?
Oppression, Resentment - ANSWER-What are the disadvantages of the Dominance
Principle in International Relations?
Incentives for Mutual Cooperation - ANSWER-What is the advantage of the Reciprocity
Principle of International Relations?
Downward Spirals; Complex Accounting - ANSWER-What are the disadvantages of the
Reciprocity Principle of International Relations?
Sacrifice for Group, Redefine Interests - ANSWER-What are the advantages of the
Identity Principle of International Relations?
Demonizing an out-group - ANSWER-What is the disadvantage of the Identity Principle
of International Relations?
