POLITICAL SCIENCE INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS COMPLETE SET EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The relationship between theory and reality in the study of international relations -
ANSWER-Theory contributes to the growth of international relations
General characteristics of international politics in the Westphalian system - ANSWER-
First noted that Europe was a system of MULTIPLE states
Sovereignty was the result of this system
The Napoleonic Wars and their effect on international relations - ANSWER-People
fought over who controlled hegemonic Europe which resulted in wars against the rising
hegemony (block hegemony; example of balance of power) wars ended and major
players sat down to discuss new world order; formation of people’s armies
Major characteristics of international relations during 19th century - ANSWER-1.
Balance of power- states form alliances to prevent anyone from becoming dominant
2. Nationalism- notion community with common characteristics should control itself
(drove countries to unifications)
3. Industrial Rev.- emergent of industrial states promoted quick urbanization and
mobilization
4. Imperialism- started looking for goods in other countries
5. The rise of key non-European actors (China and Japan)
International politics in the twentieth century—principal characteristics - ANSWER-1.
Rise/Fall of global ideologies; Fascism takes a rise, liberalism rises in Western (there's
a clash between the two)
2. Rise in the # of states
3. Switch from industrial rev to technologic age
4. Bipolarity
5. nuclear weapons
6. Rise of global economy
7. Democratization
The advent of the third Millennium—fundamental changes in international politics -
ANSWER-1. significant gaps betweens states
2. rise of ethnic and intra-nations conflict
3. increased violations of sovereignty
4. miniaturization and information revolutions
5. globalization and interdependence
Key issues in the international politics in the past, present, and future - ANSWER-...
, What is systems theory? - ANSWER-1. units that interact with each other based on a
set of rules in order to preserve its structure
2.units are states
3. Structure is determined by
-# major powers
-capability distribution among them
4. rules determine interactive behavior
The functions of systems - ANSWER-1. Account for long term processes such as
stability or change in politics
2. Focuses on structure
3. emphasis on major powers but also look at the relations between major and minor
powers and minor and minor powers
Structural versus micro-approaches to the study of international relations - ANSWER-1.
Top down theory
# of great powers and distribution of capabilities dictates the rules of the game which
dictate the relationship between (major to major, major to minor, and minor to minor)
which dictates international outcome thus resulting in systemic balance or imbalance
Types of structural approaches—realism, neorealism, Marxism and World Systems
approaches - ANSWER-1. realism believes states are anarchic (more in depth)
2. neorealism is modernized realism
Structural realism—How structure affects international processes - ANSWER-dictates
the behavior and relationship between states; the rules set up between effect how the
state interacts with other states; could potentially lead to an imbalance of power
Models of the international system - ANSWER-Balance of power used in IR to prevent
one hegemonic super power; five great powers and all relatively equal; bipolar
systems(tight and loose); multipolar systems; Unit-veto systems
Power transition as a systemic theory - ANSWER-Bipolar tight system; two states,
relatively equal in power, creates stability
Loose bipolar system; two states with sideline states that don't pick a side (when a new
state joins; competition between powers to try to influence state to join their coalition
Cold war-loose bipolar system because india, etc. formed non alignment movement
Unit-veto system; states have weapons and second strike capability, states are capable
of other states but cannot guarantee own survival; each state possesses veto over any
outcome; minimal contact of states; possible pressure for the formation of superpowers
Empirical evidence on systems and conflict - ANSWER-there is no empirical evidence
to prove that any of the systems is more efficient than the others
RELATIONS COMPLETE SET EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The relationship between theory and reality in the study of international relations -
ANSWER-Theory contributes to the growth of international relations
General characteristics of international politics in the Westphalian system - ANSWER-
First noted that Europe was a system of MULTIPLE states
Sovereignty was the result of this system
The Napoleonic Wars and their effect on international relations - ANSWER-People
fought over who controlled hegemonic Europe which resulted in wars against the rising
hegemony (block hegemony; example of balance of power) wars ended and major
players sat down to discuss new world order; formation of people’s armies
Major characteristics of international relations during 19th century - ANSWER-1.
Balance of power- states form alliances to prevent anyone from becoming dominant
2. Nationalism- notion community with common characteristics should control itself
(drove countries to unifications)
3. Industrial Rev.- emergent of industrial states promoted quick urbanization and
mobilization
4. Imperialism- started looking for goods in other countries
5. The rise of key non-European actors (China and Japan)
International politics in the twentieth century—principal characteristics - ANSWER-1.
Rise/Fall of global ideologies; Fascism takes a rise, liberalism rises in Western (there's
a clash between the two)
2. Rise in the # of states
3. Switch from industrial rev to technologic age
4. Bipolarity
5. nuclear weapons
6. Rise of global economy
7. Democratization
The advent of the third Millennium—fundamental changes in international politics -
ANSWER-1. significant gaps betweens states
2. rise of ethnic and intra-nations conflict
3. increased violations of sovereignty
4. miniaturization and information revolutions
5. globalization and interdependence
Key issues in the international politics in the past, present, and future - ANSWER-...
, What is systems theory? - ANSWER-1. units that interact with each other based on a
set of rules in order to preserve its structure
2.units are states
3. Structure is determined by
-# major powers
-capability distribution among them
4. rules determine interactive behavior
The functions of systems - ANSWER-1. Account for long term processes such as
stability or change in politics
2. Focuses on structure
3. emphasis on major powers but also look at the relations between major and minor
powers and minor and minor powers
Structural versus micro-approaches to the study of international relations - ANSWER-1.
Top down theory
# of great powers and distribution of capabilities dictates the rules of the game which
dictate the relationship between (major to major, major to minor, and minor to minor)
which dictates international outcome thus resulting in systemic balance or imbalance
Types of structural approaches—realism, neorealism, Marxism and World Systems
approaches - ANSWER-1. realism believes states are anarchic (more in depth)
2. neorealism is modernized realism
Structural realism—How structure affects international processes - ANSWER-dictates
the behavior and relationship between states; the rules set up between effect how the
state interacts with other states; could potentially lead to an imbalance of power
Models of the international system - ANSWER-Balance of power used in IR to prevent
one hegemonic super power; five great powers and all relatively equal; bipolar
systems(tight and loose); multipolar systems; Unit-veto systems
Power transition as a systemic theory - ANSWER-Bipolar tight system; two states,
relatively equal in power, creates stability
Loose bipolar system; two states with sideline states that don't pick a side (when a new
state joins; competition between powers to try to influence state to join their coalition
Cold war-loose bipolar system because india, etc. formed non alignment movement
Unit-veto system; states have weapons and second strike capability, states are capable
of other states but cannot guarantee own survival; each state possesses veto over any
outcome; minimal contact of states; possible pressure for the formation of superpowers
Empirical evidence on systems and conflict - ANSWER-there is no empirical evidence
to prove that any of the systems is more efficient than the others
