Chapter 3

Question 1

What do realists believe?

Answer 1

They believe one must always negotiate from strength and be prepared to act with force or the threat of force when dealing with rogue states or terrorist networks who don’t intend to follow international rules

Question 2

What 3 assumptions is realism based off of?

Answer 2

• States are the only actors in international relations that matter
• A policymakers primary responsibility is to create, maintain, and increase national power - the means available to a state to secure its national interest at all cost
• No central authority stands above the state

Question 3

What are the 3 S’s?

Answer 3

Survival, statism, self help

Question 4

Statism

Answer 4

The state is the main actor, and sovereignty is its distinguishing trait

Question 5

Survival

Answer 5

• The main goals of the state is to survive

- A nationals survival is the first and ultimate responsibility

Question 6

Self-help

Answer 6

• States must rely on their own power resources to ensure their survival in an anarchic world
• In a realist theory, states cannot assume other states will come to their defence even if they’re allies

Question 7

Liberalism

Answer 7

Argues for human rights, parliamentary democracy, and free trade while maintaining that all such goals must begin within a state

Question 8

Constructivism

Answer 8

Argues that our actions and words make society, and society in turn shapes our actions and words

Question 9

What do constructivists ask?

Answer 9

They ask us to consider how images, ideas and values shape our world view and construction of reality

Question 10

What do constructivists believe?

Answer 10

They believe ideas, beliefs and values are important because they influence the identities and interests of states and the eventual selection of policies and strategies that transform the world