POLI 270 – Flashcard

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The agent-structure debate revolves, in part, around the role of individuals on the outcomes in International relations. a. True b. False
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True
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Normative claims can be subjected to empirical tests to prove their validity. a. True b. False
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False
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Having a set of intensively held values
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Allows personal beliefs to influence empirical inquiry
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Popper opposed an "open society" of scholars that embraces theoretical and methodological diversity. a. True b. False
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False
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To think theoretically one must
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Assume an underlying order to human affairs
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The "paradigm mentality" leads to research approaches that
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Are narrow and rigid
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The best way to encourage theoretical creativity and imagination is to
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Have several competing theories
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Systematic thinking about "International Relations" requires that we define the unit of analysis. a. True b. False
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True
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Thinking theoretically requires a willingness to sacrifice detail and embrace broad observations. a. True b. False
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True
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Positivism dominates what school of International Relations theory?
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Realism
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E.H. Carr maintains that the nature of politic is such that a. Priority should be given to power. b. priority must be given to morality c. political power follows moral authority d. None of the above
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d. None of the above
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Hedley Bull contends that
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Since the dawn of nation states, elements of international society have always been present
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That moral principles should/ought to guide politics is an ideal embraced by
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Immanuel Kant
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Kant argues that "reason instructs" and motivates us toward the goal of a world society of "perpetual peace" a. True b. False
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True
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The concept of sovereign states as the supreme, independent, and final authority in international politics is very typical of normative thinking. a. True b. False
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False
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Just War Theory is a
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Normative theory that defines the conduct of war
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Hugo Grotius argued that international law is based upon: a. natural law b. customary practices c. power politics d. international treaties e. all of the above except C f. all of the above except A
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all of the above except C
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A theory of international politics based on "value judgments" and "moral perspectives" is considered
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Normative Theory
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Divorcing norms from decisions we make about international relations may be difficult, but is possible according to normative theory. a. True b. False
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False
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"A prince therefore who desires to maintain himself must learn to be not always good, but to be so or not as necessity may require." This sage advice was given by Immanuel Kant. a. True b. False
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False
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The "English School" of International Relations Theory focused attention on
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the workings of an international society
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Grotius argues that international law governs nations' behavior
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In times of war and peace
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The "state" is generally assumed by realists to be
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a single rational actor
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Realism holds that international relations are fundamentally:
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an amoral issue.
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The Realist perspective originated with classical English authors such as Disraeli. a. True b. False
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False
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The "Security Dilemma" is a phenomenon rooted in the anarchic international system. a. True b. False
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True
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Thomas Hobbes argued that:
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"Where there is no common power, there is no law: where no law, no injustice."
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_____writes that "the strong do what they have the power to do and the weak accept what they have to accept."
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Thucydides
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According to Thomas Hobbes, war is an evil that can be prevented by improving human nature. a. True b. False
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False
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For realists, moral and ethical concerns are generally
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subordinated to considerations of power and interests.
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Realism emphasizes the constraints placed on international politics by a. human nature b. the absence of international government c. the primacy of power and security d. all of the above e. only B and C
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d. all of the above
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The "stag hunt" is Rousseau's illustration of
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the logic of international anarchy.
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Realist agree that "low politics" (trade, domestic concerns, etc) are on par with "high politics" (security, war, etc.) in determining state behavior. a. True b. False
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False
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"The Melian Dialogue" underlines considerations of
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power and interest in international politics
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For Classical Realists, fear is not a fundamental cause of war. a. True b. False
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False
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According to Rousseau, the underlying cause of conflict in international relations is
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the social context within which states exist
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For realists, anarchy drives states to seek security primarily by
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seeking relative power over other states.
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____ argued that imperialism inevitably emerged as a direct continuation in the development of monopoly capitalism.
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V.I. Lenin
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Lenin's theory of imperialism focused on
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Advanced capitalist states
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Marx's theory of revolution underestimated the power of
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Nationalism
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For economic structuralists, the proper starting point of analysis is:
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the international system
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Marxists (economic structuralists) assume that uneven development is the result of
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Structures of domination
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Marx assumed conflict (fault-line) within society was driven primarily by
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Mechanisms of exploitation controlled by a particular class.
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For Marx, the principle form of conflict in human history is
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Class struggle
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Marxism rejects Realism's tendency to analyze politics and the international state system in isolation and the lack of focus on the relationship global capitalism. a. True b. False
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True
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The capitalist world-system theory, like theories of realism, necessarily places the state at the center of analysis. a. True b. False
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False
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Dialectical Materialism is a theory developed by:
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Karl Marx
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Neorealism claims that states are structurally predisposed to behave in generally predictable patterns, but to understand specific behaviors we must look at
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the internal disposition of states
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A systems theory of IR relegates state-level issues to secondary importance in explaining the outcomes of state actions. a. True b. False
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True
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State behavior is characterized by rational self-interested behavior determined by the systemic constraints of the international system. This statement fairly represents the view of Neorealism. a. True b. False
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True
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A system is a mental image that helps us visualize international relations and explain
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Patterns and interactions of states
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The structure of the system influences state behavior, but does not determine the outcome. a. True b. False
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True
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Neorealism highlights its constraints by only focusing on the influence of
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distribution of power among states
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According to advocates of systemic theory, explaining international outcomes on the basis of state-level causes is an example of
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Reductionist theory
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The international "system" is independent of the wishes of states but ________ determine system-level outcomes.
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competition among states
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An "international system" is defined as:
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the phenomenon resulting from the interaction of actors
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According to advocates of systemic theory, explaining international outcomes on the basis of state-level causes is an example of
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Reductionist theory
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According to Neorealists, a theory of international relations that seeks explanation by looking at the human psyche is an example of:
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Reductionism
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A decision-makers' "perceptions" are considered a "systemic cause" in Neorealist theory of IR. a. True b. False
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False
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Politics conducted in a condition of anarchy makes
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states functionally similar
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The game of prisoners' dilemma is based on the assumption that states do act irrationally. a. True b. False
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False
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Waltz believes that it is not absolutely necessary to take into account
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The Domestic characteristics of states
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Balance-of-power theory does not explain outcomes in international politics in which the system is anarchic and states seek to survive. a. True b. False
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False
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Neorealism assumes that economic cooperation is sought by states in an anarchic world. a. True b. False
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False
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Neorealist assume that one of the important effects of anarchy is
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Even states content to live in peace are condemned to a relentless struggle for security.
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Balance-of-Power theory assumes that:
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balances are the natural and inevitable outcome of the struggle for power.
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Neorealism focuses attention on
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states' concerns about relative gains in power
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Waltz believes that taking into account which aspect(s) of structure is not necessary if the system is anarchic?
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the domestic characteristics of states
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The ordering principle in any given system can be which of the following? a. Anarchy b. Autarky c. Hierarchy d. All of the above e. A or C
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e. A or C
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Balance-of-Power is a theory used to explain the outcome of individual states' efforts to survive and enhance their power. a. True b. False
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True
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The "structure" of the system is determined by
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the attributes of the system
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The structure of a system is defined by a. its ordering principles b. the characteristics of actors in the system c. the distribution of capabilities across the system d. All of the above e. Only A
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All of the above
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The structure of the system operates as a cause of state behavior, but not the only one a. True b. False
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True
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That similar patterns of state behavior are observed in international politics is attributed to
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the structure of the system.
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To say that a state is sovereign is to say that
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a state can decide for itself its policies.
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The use of force and the threat of violence is what distinguish domestic politics and international politics. a. True b. False
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False
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When cooperation occurs in international politics, the primary concern(s) of states is/are a. relative gains in power. b. the impact on the balance of power. c. absolute gains in power. d. Only A and B e. A, B and C are all correct
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Only A and B
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A set of principles, norms, rules and procedure around which actors' expectations converge is an
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International regime
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For liberals, anarchy is mitigated by a. International Regimes b. State level economic reform c. International institutions d. All of the above e. Only A and C
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Only A and C
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Like realists, neoliberals assume that there is a logical link between the conditions of anarchy and war. a. True b. False
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False
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For liberals, states are less inclined to resort to international hostility if a. They share a common political and economic regime-type b. They engage in commercial rivalry with other states c. They would suffer from the interruption of free trade d. All of the above e. Only A and C
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Only A and C
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Economic self-interest is a disincentive for war when
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Trade creates mutual dependence
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Liberal Institutionalists believe that states are more concerned with maximizing absolute gains than ensuring relative gains. a. True b. False
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True
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Liberalism (Neofunctionalism) takes from game theory analysis of international politics a zero-sum perspective rather than a positive-sum perspective. a. True b. False
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False
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Liberals assume that international organizations can be independent actors in their own right. a. True b. False
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True
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Liberals generally take _______ of how states affect international relations and outcomes.
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An inside-out view
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From the perspective of liberalism, people are reasoning beings concerned with self-preservation and self-improvement and Liberals therefore assume that
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States can learn to secure international peace
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Robert Keohane argues that strong states with a long time horizon
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Can facilitate cooperation when dealing with a global collective goods problem
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Stephen Brooks argues that the key to understanding the relationship between international commerce and war is
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The globalization of production
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A liberal theory that explains how states collaborate to achieve common goals is
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Functionalism
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Voluntarism assumes that system structure takes precedence over agency. a. True b. False
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False
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Liberals believe that the moral aspirations of states will not be thwarted by the absence of an overarching global authority. a. True b. False
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True
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Post-structuralism focuses our attention on competing representations of history and rejects the idea of a "true" account of history written by the dominant power. a. True b. False
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True
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What do post-positivist theorists mean when they say that "theory is always for someone and for some purpose"?
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All theories are rooted in assumptions conditioned by human perspective
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Realists rely on static definitions of the "national interests" to explain state behavior, but Constructivists (like Finnemore) contend that state action is motivated more by
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Changing international norms
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Post-structuralists view state sovereignty as
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A questionable claim that the state is the primary and exclusive actor in IR
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Constructivists believe that positivist theory is a firm foundation upon which we can base our explanation of reality. a. True b. False
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False
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Post-structuralism embraces a. The Enlightenment's views of scientific progress b. The Behavioralists's "scientific method" c. Both A and B d. Neither A nor B
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Neither A nor B
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For Constructivists, actors/agents (people and states) are atomistic rational actors, not inherently social and a product of social relationships. a. True b. False
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False
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The fundamental orientation of Constructivism is theorizing about
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The normative and ideological impact on political actors
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Constructivists (like Wendt) believe that neorealism's assumptions about international anarchy are:
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Socially constructed and subjective
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According to constructivist theory, the security dilemma is an socially constructed feature of international relations, not an inherent aspect of anarchy. a. True b. False
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True
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According to constructivist theory, states and individuals are subject to structural determinism. a. True b. False
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False
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The end of the Cold War, and the "failure" of rationalist/positivitist IR theory (Neorealism and Neoliberalism) to predict and explain a fundamental change in the international system, motivated Constructivists to question these theories' assumptions about a. Anarchy b. Agent-structure relations c. The influence of ideas on state behavior d. All of the above e. Only A and B
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All of the above
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Constructivist theories of International Relations are:
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Post-structural approaches to theorizing about identity and interest
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Post-Structuralism takes issue with neorealist conceptions of the state as the primary unit of analysis by questioning (problematizing) the
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Origins of the state
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Constructivists have criticized "rationalists/positivists" for being wrongheaded or misguided about a. Ontological issues b. Methodological questions c. Normative assumptions d. All of the above e. Only C
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All of the above
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"Theory is always for someone and for some purpose" highlights the
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need to critically scrutinize all theory's ideological foundations
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A major goal to Critical Theory is to
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emancipate us from unjust social and economic structures
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A major focus of Critical Theorists is
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interpretation of observation
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Critical Theory a. embraces the assumptions of human objectivity b. emphasizes the subjectivity of human inquiry c. rejects the notion of value-free social science d. All of the above e. Only B and C
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Only B and C
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Phenomenology focuses on the interpretive understanding of human observation of the world around us. a. True b. False
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True
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The current world order is assumed by Critical Theorists to be
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not natural, necessary, or historically invariable
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Critical theorists reject as utopian concerns about a. universalizing certain moral and political principles b. reducing material inequality in the world c. respecting ethnic and cultural differences d. None of the above
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None of the above
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The built-in bias of Neorealism and Neoliberalism toward stability and maintaining the status quo is viewed by Critical Theorists as
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typical of a problem solving/technical approach to IR Theory
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Marxist ambitions of not just offering an alternative interpretation of the world but seeking to change the world are central to Critical Theory. a. True b. False
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True
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On the Voluntarism-Determinism continuum, Critical Theorists fall on the
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Voluntarist extreme
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Our assumptions about the essence of things in general is
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ontology
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Self-reflection and probing the origins of knowledge are rejected by Critical Theorists in favor of rational accounts of International Relations. a. True b. False
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False
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Critical Theorists are not concerned with exposing ideological claims presented as objective theoretical explanations. a. True b. False
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False
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For Critical Theorists, human observation and theory is subject to
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our inability to be completely independent of the world around us
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Many feminists prefer historical or interpretive understandings of gender roles rather than methodologies that claim that facts are neutral. a. True b. False
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True
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From a feminist perspectives
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states are just as likely to threaten human security as enhance it
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The theoretical assumption that gender identities are natural or "human nature" (not socially constructed) a. reproduces the status quo in existing international power relations b. threatens the foundations of positivist international relations theory c. is rejected by feminist International Relations theory d. All of the above e. Only A and C
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Only A and C
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Feminist perspectives on international organizations argue that
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these institutions reflect the norms and interests of hegemonic groups
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The realist rational, unitary power-maximizing state perspective
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marginalizes a gendered analysis
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Postmodern feminists, contrary to liberal and radical feminists, embrace the idea that women are a homogeneous group and embracing a uniform gendered perspective will undermine the "masculine" domination of IR. a. True b. False
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False
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Some feminists (radical feminists) argue that a. affirmative action will not solve the problem of gender in IR b. accounting for women's important role in IR will solve the problem c. the basic class/patriarchy structures in society must be changed d. All of the above e. Only A and C
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Only A and C
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Gender is a set of a
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social and culturally constructed identities
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Liberal or empirical feminists seek to bring in a gendered perspective by a. accounting for women's participation in international relations b. identifying ways to overcome barriers to women's under representation c. including women in national security/high politics circles d. All of the above
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All of the above
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From a feminist perspective, gender permeates social life, and has profound, but often unnoticed effects on international relations. a. True b. False
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True
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Feminists criticize international system beliefs that are masculine-biased as well as those that are gender-neutral. a. True b. False
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True
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For feminists, social relations are a key unit of analysis for explaining
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unequal power relations
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Mainstream structural theories of IR are embraced by some Feminist theories as adequate explanations of the human experience. a. True b. False
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False
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Feminists' concern about gender inequality are in line with the concerns ctitical theorists have about the notion of security. a. True b. False
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True
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