REALISM IN INTERNATIONAL
RELATIONS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Principle 3: - ANSWER-Interest defined as power is an objective category which is
universally valid, but whose meaning can change
Description: Occasionally public interest will change; it is virtually impossible for a
lawmaker to sacrifice all self-interest for public interest.
Principle 4: - ANSWER-Universal moral principles cannot be applied to the actions of
states in the abstract.
Description: Survival of the state will always be prioritized before morality
Principle 5: - ANSWER-The moral laws that govern the universe are distinct for the
morals of any one nation
Description: God is not with any certain country; this belief led to endless war and chaos
Principle 6: - ANSWER-The difference between political realism and other schools is
real and profound
Description: This is just self advertising that political realism is the most effective tool of
study in IR
What is neorealism? - ANSWER-Neorealism, also called structural realism, state that
the one single factor that can explain international relations is structure that results from
power distribution. States do not seek power for power's sake, but more security within
the established structure of international order.
What is defensive realism? - ANSWER-main goal: maintain position of power and do
not let other states gain power. They often will either internally build their power or build
an alliance. These two strategies are called balancing.
What is offensive realism? - ANSWER-ultimate goal is to maximize their power to
ensure survival
What is internal balancing? - ANSWER-States build up their own resources, our
capabilities
What is external balancing? - ANSWER-from allies and join resources.
Hegemony - ANSWER-leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social
group over others.
, Realism Key Thinkers - ANSWER-Machiavelli, Thucydides, Grotius, Hobbes
Hobbes quote from Leviathan - ANSWER-"we must protect ourselves because life is
solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short"
When did realism dominate I.R theory? - ANSWER-post WWII
Is realism more normative or empirical? - ANSWER-empirical
Thucydides wrote: - ANSWER-"The strong do what they have the power to do, the weak
accept what they have to accept"
Balance of power (contested concept) states: - ANSWER-a) balance of power as a
situation, b) balance of power as a policy and c) balance of power as a system
Prominent focusses of realism: - ANSWER-geostrategic and military issues
Realists believe that: - ANSWER-peace in the world can be maintained only by balance
of power between most powerful states in international system.
What is multipolarity? - ANSWER-more than three powerful states at a time; like the
U.S, Russia and China
What is bipolarity? - ANSWER-two powerful states; like the Cold War
What is unipolarity? - ANSWER-one powerful state; like the U.S
What is an anarchical international system? - ANSWER-the absence of an overarching
power or state capable of controlling all other sovereign states in the international arena
Do realists believe that Anarchy accounts for the inherent insecurity of states? -
ANSWER-yes
If realists believe that the world is anarchical; what sort of system does this entail? -
ANSWER-a self-help system/ environment
Two periods of 20th century when realism was dominant? - ANSWER-During the cold
war and after WWII
What is 'idealism'?(labelled by classical realists) - ANSWER-the belief that promoted
international organisations such as the League of Nations and international law, is a
basic means to preserve peace in the world.
In 'idealism', 'harmony of interests' induce what? - ANSWER-cooperation and mutual
understanding between states
RELATIONS EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
Principle 3: - ANSWER-Interest defined as power is an objective category which is
universally valid, but whose meaning can change
Description: Occasionally public interest will change; it is virtually impossible for a
lawmaker to sacrifice all self-interest for public interest.
Principle 4: - ANSWER-Universal moral principles cannot be applied to the actions of
states in the abstract.
Description: Survival of the state will always be prioritized before morality
Principle 5: - ANSWER-The moral laws that govern the universe are distinct for the
morals of any one nation
Description: God is not with any certain country; this belief led to endless war and chaos
Principle 6: - ANSWER-The difference between political realism and other schools is
real and profound
Description: This is just self advertising that political realism is the most effective tool of
study in IR
What is neorealism? - ANSWER-Neorealism, also called structural realism, state that
the one single factor that can explain international relations is structure that results from
power distribution. States do not seek power for power's sake, but more security within
the established structure of international order.
What is defensive realism? - ANSWER-main goal: maintain position of power and do
not let other states gain power. They often will either internally build their power or build
an alliance. These two strategies are called balancing.
What is offensive realism? - ANSWER-ultimate goal is to maximize their power to
ensure survival
What is internal balancing? - ANSWER-States build up their own resources, our
capabilities
What is external balancing? - ANSWER-from allies and join resources.
Hegemony - ANSWER-leadership or dominance, especially by one country or social
group over others.
, Realism Key Thinkers - ANSWER-Machiavelli, Thucydides, Grotius, Hobbes
Hobbes quote from Leviathan - ANSWER-"we must protect ourselves because life is
solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short"
When did realism dominate I.R theory? - ANSWER-post WWII
Is realism more normative or empirical? - ANSWER-empirical
Thucydides wrote: - ANSWER-"The strong do what they have the power to do, the weak
accept what they have to accept"
Balance of power (contested concept) states: - ANSWER-a) balance of power as a
situation, b) balance of power as a policy and c) balance of power as a system
Prominent focusses of realism: - ANSWER-geostrategic and military issues
Realists believe that: - ANSWER-peace in the world can be maintained only by balance
of power between most powerful states in international system.
What is multipolarity? - ANSWER-more than three powerful states at a time; like the
U.S, Russia and China
What is bipolarity? - ANSWER-two powerful states; like the Cold War
What is unipolarity? - ANSWER-one powerful state; like the U.S
What is an anarchical international system? - ANSWER-the absence of an overarching
power or state capable of controlling all other sovereign states in the international arena
Do realists believe that Anarchy accounts for the inherent insecurity of states? -
ANSWER-yes
If realists believe that the world is anarchical; what sort of system does this entail? -
ANSWER-a self-help system/ environment
Two periods of 20th century when realism was dominant? - ANSWER-During the cold
war and after WWII
What is 'idealism'?(labelled by classical realists) - ANSWER-the belief that promoted
international organisations such as the League of Nations and international law, is a
basic means to preserve peace in the world.
In 'idealism', 'harmony of interests' induce what? - ANSWER-cooperation and mutual
understanding between states
