INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXAM
Q&A
Outcome of Security Dilemma - ANSWER-Decreases security of the first state, every
state worse off, insecurity
Realism History - ANSWER-1. World according to power 2. Thucydides & Hobbes 3.
Born from WWII 3. Hans Morgenthau
Mearsheimer - ANSWER-Offensive neo-realist 3rd image, said structure makes seek
offensive measures
Walt, Waltz, Jervis, Art - ANSWER-Defensive 3rd image
Keohane - ANSWER-3rd level neo-liberal
Doyle - ANSWER-2nd level DPT
Wendt - ANSWER-3rd image constructivist
1st level/image - ANSWER-Cost-benefit, human nature, something about individuals;
ex. Hitler caused war
2nd level/image - ANSWER-Political regime, DPT, based on type
3rd level/image - ANSWER-International system, power & structure
E.H. Carr - ANSWER-First realist, "Twenty Years Crisis", came out right before WWII
broke out
Hans Morgenthau - ANSWER-Human Nature Realism, "Politics Among Nations",
causes of WWII accounted for
Kenneth Waltz - ANSWER-Defensive Realism, "Theory of International Politics",
believes in structure of international system
Realism Assumptions - ANSWER-Anarchy, States primary unit of analysis, States are
rational actors, Survival is main goal, Morality plays no role, War is always going to
happen
Human Nature Realism (Classical Realism) - ANSWER-States have individuals who
have lust for power, want domination, states need lots of security for power
, Structural Realism (Defensive Realsim) - ANSWER-Structure of system, system is
driving force, defining of structure (polarity), polarity drives outcomes (Waltz)
Structural Realism (Offensive Realism) Assumptions - ANSWER-1. Anarchy 2. Survival
3. Rational actors 4. Offensive capability 5. Uncertainty of one another 6. States primary
unit of analysis
Structural (Offensive Realism) Consequences - ANSWER-Fear, Self-help (only depend
on itself), Power Maximization
Realist Strategies for Gaining Power - ANSWER-War, Blackmail (small powers), Bait &
Bleed, Bloodletting
Bait & Bleed - ANSWER-Trick two great powers into engaging in costly, bloody war
Bloodletting - ANSWER-A conflict is already occurring, you assure that war is as
damaging and costly to both sides as possible (US in WWII)
Realist Strategies for Checking Power - ANSWER-Balancing & Buck-Passing
Balancing - ANSWER-Ally with weaker side
Internally: Devote resources
Externally: Forming alliances
Buck-Passing - ANSWER-Want others to bear the burden of balancing, convince
another great power to balance (usually fails)
Realist Strategies for Conceding Power - ANSWER-Appeasement & Bandwagoning
Appeasement - ANSWER-Conciliate adversary rather than meet it head on
Bandwagoning - ANSWER-Ally yourself with stronger side if think balancing coalition
can't win, rarely occurs with great powers
Multipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-Most likely to result in conflict (1792-1939) Eve of
Napoleonic-Eve of WWII
Bipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-More stable, only one conflict possible, easy to
calculate power, no buck-passing (1945-1989 US & Russia)
Unipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-One great power (1990-Today US)
Power Transition Theory (Realism) - ANSWER-As power changes, likelihood of conflict
goes up
Q&A
Outcome of Security Dilemma - ANSWER-Decreases security of the first state, every
state worse off, insecurity
Realism History - ANSWER-1. World according to power 2. Thucydides & Hobbes 3.
Born from WWII 3. Hans Morgenthau
Mearsheimer - ANSWER-Offensive neo-realist 3rd image, said structure makes seek
offensive measures
Walt, Waltz, Jervis, Art - ANSWER-Defensive 3rd image
Keohane - ANSWER-3rd level neo-liberal
Doyle - ANSWER-2nd level DPT
Wendt - ANSWER-3rd image constructivist
1st level/image - ANSWER-Cost-benefit, human nature, something about individuals;
ex. Hitler caused war
2nd level/image - ANSWER-Political regime, DPT, based on type
3rd level/image - ANSWER-International system, power & structure
E.H. Carr - ANSWER-First realist, "Twenty Years Crisis", came out right before WWII
broke out
Hans Morgenthau - ANSWER-Human Nature Realism, "Politics Among Nations",
causes of WWII accounted for
Kenneth Waltz - ANSWER-Defensive Realism, "Theory of International Politics",
believes in structure of international system
Realism Assumptions - ANSWER-Anarchy, States primary unit of analysis, States are
rational actors, Survival is main goal, Morality plays no role, War is always going to
happen
Human Nature Realism (Classical Realism) - ANSWER-States have individuals who
have lust for power, want domination, states need lots of security for power
, Structural Realism (Defensive Realsim) - ANSWER-Structure of system, system is
driving force, defining of structure (polarity), polarity drives outcomes (Waltz)
Structural Realism (Offensive Realism) Assumptions - ANSWER-1. Anarchy 2. Survival
3. Rational actors 4. Offensive capability 5. Uncertainty of one another 6. States primary
unit of analysis
Structural (Offensive Realism) Consequences - ANSWER-Fear, Self-help (only depend
on itself), Power Maximization
Realist Strategies for Gaining Power - ANSWER-War, Blackmail (small powers), Bait &
Bleed, Bloodletting
Bait & Bleed - ANSWER-Trick two great powers into engaging in costly, bloody war
Bloodletting - ANSWER-A conflict is already occurring, you assure that war is as
damaging and costly to both sides as possible (US in WWII)
Realist Strategies for Checking Power - ANSWER-Balancing & Buck-Passing
Balancing - ANSWER-Ally with weaker side
Internally: Devote resources
Externally: Forming alliances
Buck-Passing - ANSWER-Want others to bear the burden of balancing, convince
another great power to balance (usually fails)
Realist Strategies for Conceding Power - ANSWER-Appeasement & Bandwagoning
Appeasement - ANSWER-Conciliate adversary rather than meet it head on
Bandwagoning - ANSWER-Ally yourself with stronger side if think balancing coalition
can't win, rarely occurs with great powers
Multipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-Most likely to result in conflict (1792-1939) Eve of
Napoleonic-Eve of WWII
Bipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-More stable, only one conflict possible, easy to
calculate power, no buck-passing (1945-1989 US & Russia)
Unipolarity (Realism) - ANSWER-One great power (1990-Today US)
Power Transition Theory (Realism) - ANSWER-As power changes, likelihood of conflict
goes up
