Question 1

Realism has an optimistic view of human nature, viewing people as basically good, while liberalism views humans as selfish and power seeking.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

The different theories disagree on the role and importance of economic factors in international relations. Which of the following are correct portrayals of the theories' views?

Accepted Answer

A)  Only radicals think economics is important. 
B)  Realists think economic factors are behind most international conflict. 
C)  Liberals think economic interdependence is the sole cause of international cooperation. 
D)  Radicals think economic factors assume primary importance in shaping actions. 
E)  Realists think economics is completely unimportant.

Question 3

Despite their many differences, both realism and liberalism view people as rational actors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

What does constructivism bring to the study of international relations that other theoretical approaches do not? Given your answer, do you think constructivism can contribute significantly to our understanding of international relations? If so, support your answer by using constructivism to explain a particular international issue or event. If not, support your answer by demonstrating how constructivism fails to explain a particular international issue or event.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does constructivism bring to the study...

Question 5

The idea that institutions such as the League of Nations and the United Nations will significantly change international politics is a product of ________ thinking.

Accepted Answer

A)  Marxist 
B)  realist 
C)  constructivist 
D)  radical 
E)  liberal

Question 6

For constructivists, a key source of power is

Accepted Answer

A)  military capabilities. 
B)  ideas. 
C)  economic interdependence. 
D)  economic prowess. 
E)  a state's geographical positioning.

Question 7

A set of propositions and concepts that combine to explain phenomena by specifying the relationships among the propositions is

Accepted Answer

A)  a hypothesis. 
B)  a theory. 
C)  a level of analysis. 
D)  a variable. 
E)  a deduction.

Question 8

According to Marxist thinking, the structure of the global system is largely the byproduct of

Accepted Answer

A)  power balancing by states. 
B)  international cooperation. 
C)  international institutions. 
D)  collective security. 
E)  the expansion of certain economic forms into other areas of the world.

Question 9

The idea that aggression by one state would be countered by automatic and joint reaction by other states is known as

Accepted Answer

A)  bandwagoning. 
B)  balancing power. 
C)  collective security. 
D)  anarchy. 
E)  rollback.

Question 10

Neoliberal institutionalists believe that the likelihood of reciprocity in repeated interactions can foster cooperation among states.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Constructivists like Alexander Wendt argue that knowing the distribution of material capabilities in the international system is enough to predict whether two states will be friends or foes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Realists argue that states act in a unitary way in pursuit of their national interest, which is defined in terms of

Accepted Answer

A)  a desire to create international institutions to prevent war. 
B)  a desire to spread democracy. 
C)  a desire to cooperate with other states. 
D)  a desire to spread capitalism. 
E)  a desire to gain power.

Question 13

When the United States supported China and Pakistan to exert leverage over the Soviet Union and to offset India's growing power, respectively, this was an example of carrying out a policy based on the idea of ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  bandwagoning 
B)  rollback 
C)  collective security 
D)  preemptive war 
E)  power balancing

Question 14

Which theory argues that the amount of peace and war in the international system depends on the distribution of power in the system?

Accepted Answer

A)  neorealism 
B)  liberalism 
C)  dependency theory 
D)  radicalism 
E)  constructivism

Question 15

Which of the following is True of feminist theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  Feminist theorists all argue that women have been absent from international politics. 
B)  Feminist theorists argue that human nature is fixed and unalterable. 
C)  Some feminist theorists argue that women have been absent from international politics while others argue they have been key participants. 
D)  Feminist theorists argue that classical realism is the best theory to explain international relations. 
E)  Like other radical theorists, feminist theorists argue that the structure of the economic system is the key determinant of international relations.

Question 16

Radical theorists emphasize the fact that the meanings of objects and concepts are constructed through social interaction.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

One realist interpretation of the 2003 Iraq War is that

Accepted Answer

A)  the war was a result of cooperation in the international system. 
B)  the war was justified because it was in the U.S. national interest to achieve security and a stable oil supply. 
C)  the war was necessary because spreading democracy assures peace. 
D)  the United States could have been defeated by Iraq. 
E)  the main U.S. goal was to convert Muslims to Western culture.

Question 18

There are different realist arguments, some of which offer very different prescriptions for appropriate foreign policy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Libya's choice to abandon its efforts to acquire nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in order to hedge against potential aggression from the United States is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)  defensive realists' argument that states should balance against aggressors. 
B)  defensive realists' argument that defense postures can limit the levels of mistrust among states. 
C)  offensive realists' argument that smaller states are likely to form a balancing coalition against an aggressor. 
D)  offensive realists' argument that states should follow policies of restraint. 
E)  offensive realists' argument that periodically fighting a war can intimidate potential rivals into bandwagoning with it.

Question 20

Marxists and radicals view ________ as the main means of power in the world.

Accepted Answer

A)  military might 
B)  international cooperation 
C)  economic techniques 
D)  state bureaucracies 
E)  social norms

Exam 3: International Relations Theories

Realism has an optimistic view of human nature, viewing people as basically good, while liberalism views humans as selfish and power seeking.

The different theories disagree on the role and importance of economic factors in international relations. Which of the following are correct portrayals of the theories' views?

Despite their many differences, both realism and liberalism view people as rational actors.

The idea that institutions such as the League of Nations and the United Nations will significantly change international politics is a product of ________ thinking.

For constructivists, a key source of power is

A set of propositions and concepts that combine to explain phenomena by specifying the relationships among the propositions is

According to Marxist thinking, the structure of the global system is largely the byproduct of

The idea that aggression by one state would be countered by automatic and joint reaction by other states is known as

Neoliberal institutionalists believe that the likelihood of reciprocity in repeated interactions can foster cooperation among states.

Constructivists like Alexander Wendt argue that knowing the distribution of material capabilities in the international system is enough to predict whether two states will be friends or foes.

Realists argue that states act in a unitary way in pursuit of their national interest, which is defined in terms of

When the United States supported China and Pakistan to exert leverage over the Soviet Union and to offset India's growing power, respectively, this was an example of carrying out a policy based on the idea of ________.

Which theory argues that the amount of peace and war in the international system depends on the distribution of power in the system?

Which of the following is True of feminist theory?

Radical theorists emphasize the fact that the meanings of objects and concepts are constructed through social interaction.

One realist interpretation of the 2003 Iraq War is that

There are different realist arguments, some of which offer very different prescriptions for appropriate foreign policy.

Following the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, Libya's choice to abandon its efforts to acquire nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons in order to hedge against potential aggression from the United States is an example of

Marxists and radicals view ________ as the main means of power in the world.