INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS LATEST
realism - ANSWER-A broad intellectual tradition that explains international relations
mainly in terms of power
middle powers - ANSWER-States that rank somewhat below the great powers in terms
of their influence on world affairs (for example, Brazil and India)
rational actors - ANSWER-Actors conceived of as single entities that can "think" about
their actions coherently, make choices, identify their interests, and rank the interests in
terms of priority.
power transition theory - ANSWER-A theory that the largest wars result from challenges
to the top position in the status hierarchy, when a rising power is surpassing (or
threatening to surpass) the most powerful state.
idealism - ANSWER-An approach that emphasizes international law, morality, and
international organization, rather than power alone, as key influences on international
relations
hegemonic stability theory - ANSWER-The argument that regimes are most effective
when power in the international system is most concentrated.
Prisoners Dilemma - ANSWER-A situation modeled by game theory in which rational
actors pursuing their individual interests all achieve worse outcomes than they could
have by working together.
Warsaw Pact - ANSWER-A Soviet-led Eastern European military alliance founded in
1955 and disbanded in 1991. It opposed the NATO alliance
alliance cohesion - ANSWER-The ease with which the members hold together an
alliance; it tends to be high when national interests converge and when cooperation
among allies becomes institutionalized.
arms race - ANSWER-A reciprocal process in which two or more states build up military
capabilities in response to each other.
neorealism - ANSWER-A version of realist theory that emphasizes the influence on
state behavior of the system's structure, especially the international distribution of power
, Sovereighty - ANSWER-A state's right, at least in principle, to do whatever it wants
within its own territory; traditionally, sovereignty is the most important international
norm.
neoliberal - ANSWER-Shorthand for "neoliberal institutionalism," an approach that
stresses the importance of international institutions in reducing the inherent conflict that
realists assume in an international system; the reasoning is based on the core liberal
idea that seeking long-term mutual gains is often more rational than maximizing
individual short-term gains
interdependence - ANSWER-A political and economic situation in which two states are
simultaneously dependent on each other for their well-being. The degree of
interdependence is sometimes designated in terms of "sensitivity" or "vulnerability."
gender gap - ANSWER-Refers to polls showing women lower than men on average in
their support for military actions, as well as for various other issues and candidates.
positive peace - ANSWER-A peace that resolves the underlying reasons for war; not
just a cease-fire but a transformation of relationships, including elimination or reduction
of economic exploitation and political oppression.
constructivism - ANSWER-A movement in IR theory that examines how changing
international norms and actors' identities help shape the content of state interests.
Marxism - ANSWER-A branch of socialism that emphasizes exploitation and class
struggle and includes both communism and other approaches.
world government - ANSWER-A centralized world governing body with strong
enforcement powers.
difference feminism - ANSWER-A strand of feminism that believes gender differences
are not just socially constructed and that views women as inherently less warlike than
men (on average).
economic class - ANSWER-A categorization of individuals based on economic status.
collective security - ANSWER-The formation of a broad alliance of most major actors in
an international system for the purpose of jointly opposing aggression by any actor;
sometimes seen as presupposing the existence of a universal organization (such as the
United Nations) to which both the aggressor and its opponents belong
peace movements - ANSWER-Movements against specific wars or against war and
militarism in general, usually involving large numbers of people and forms of direct
action such as street protests
mediation - ANSWER-The use of a third party (or parties) in conflict resolution.
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE
SOLUTIONS LATEST
realism - ANSWER-A broad intellectual tradition that explains international relations
mainly in terms of power
middle powers - ANSWER-States that rank somewhat below the great powers in terms
of their influence on world affairs (for example, Brazil and India)
rational actors - ANSWER-Actors conceived of as single entities that can "think" about
their actions coherently, make choices, identify their interests, and rank the interests in
terms of priority.
power transition theory - ANSWER-A theory that the largest wars result from challenges
to the top position in the status hierarchy, when a rising power is surpassing (or
threatening to surpass) the most powerful state.
idealism - ANSWER-An approach that emphasizes international law, morality, and
international organization, rather than power alone, as key influences on international
relations
hegemonic stability theory - ANSWER-The argument that regimes are most effective
when power in the international system is most concentrated.
Prisoners Dilemma - ANSWER-A situation modeled by game theory in which rational
actors pursuing their individual interests all achieve worse outcomes than they could
have by working together.
Warsaw Pact - ANSWER-A Soviet-led Eastern European military alliance founded in
1955 and disbanded in 1991. It opposed the NATO alliance
alliance cohesion - ANSWER-The ease with which the members hold together an
alliance; it tends to be high when national interests converge and when cooperation
among allies becomes institutionalized.
arms race - ANSWER-A reciprocal process in which two or more states build up military
capabilities in response to each other.
neorealism - ANSWER-A version of realist theory that emphasizes the influence on
state behavior of the system's structure, especially the international distribution of power
, Sovereighty - ANSWER-A state's right, at least in principle, to do whatever it wants
within its own territory; traditionally, sovereignty is the most important international
norm.
neoliberal - ANSWER-Shorthand for "neoliberal institutionalism," an approach that
stresses the importance of international institutions in reducing the inherent conflict that
realists assume in an international system; the reasoning is based on the core liberal
idea that seeking long-term mutual gains is often more rational than maximizing
individual short-term gains
interdependence - ANSWER-A political and economic situation in which two states are
simultaneously dependent on each other for their well-being. The degree of
interdependence is sometimes designated in terms of "sensitivity" or "vulnerability."
gender gap - ANSWER-Refers to polls showing women lower than men on average in
their support for military actions, as well as for various other issues and candidates.
positive peace - ANSWER-A peace that resolves the underlying reasons for war; not
just a cease-fire but a transformation of relationships, including elimination or reduction
of economic exploitation and political oppression.
constructivism - ANSWER-A movement in IR theory that examines how changing
international norms and actors' identities help shape the content of state interests.
Marxism - ANSWER-A branch of socialism that emphasizes exploitation and class
struggle and includes both communism and other approaches.
world government - ANSWER-A centralized world governing body with strong
enforcement powers.
difference feminism - ANSWER-A strand of feminism that believes gender differences
are not just socially constructed and that views women as inherently less warlike than
men (on average).
economic class - ANSWER-A categorization of individuals based on economic status.
collective security - ANSWER-The formation of a broad alliance of most major actors in
an international system for the purpose of jointly opposing aggression by any actor;
sometimes seen as presupposing the existence of a universal organization (such as the
United Nations) to which both the aggressor and its opponents belong
peace movements - ANSWER-Movements against specific wars or against war and
militarism in general, usually involving large numbers of people and forms of direct
action such as street protests
mediation - ANSWER-The use of a third party (or parties) in conflict resolution.
