IR 002: Lecture 8

Question 1

What are the four functions of military power?

Answer 1

-Defensive
-Deterrent
-Compellent
-Swaggering

Question 2

What is the definition of Defensive as one of the four functions of military power

Answer 2

-Ward of an attack
-Minimize damage if attacked

Question 3

What is the definition of Deterrent as one of the four functions of military power

Answer 3

-Discourage an adversary from doing something
-Threat of retaliation

Question 4

What is the definition of Compellent as one of the four functions of military power

Answer 4

-To stop an adversary from doing something
-To make it do something it did not want to do in the first place

Question 5

What is the definition of Swaggering as one of the four functions of military power

Answer 5

-Displaying military might
-Stir national pride
-Enhance credibility

Question 6

What is defensive realisim

Answer 6

-As long as states worry for their survival they will have aggressive behavior
-Once states have ensured their survival they will no longer be aggressive (want a status quo)

Question 7

What is offensive realism

Answer 7

-The world is extremely dangerous
-The goal of a state is to maximize their relative power at the expense of other states
-States will not do stupid things but will take advantage of any opportunities to attack

Question 8

What were the main ideas of “The Rise and fall of Realism”?

Answer 8

-Declining hegemon may wage a preventive war
-The rising challenger could start a preventive war

Question 9

What critiques against realism?

Answer 9

-Underestimates the possibility of cooperation
-Underestimates non-state actors
-Does not measure power well (only considers material assets and coercion)
-Underestimate global challenges
-Realism leads to immoral behavior

Question 10

What are some of the defenses against the critiques against realism?

Answer 10

-Cooperation is possible but harder to achieve and difficult to maintain
-Non state actors matter but they don not hold the same amount of power as the sates
-Power is multidimensional but military power and coercion are fundamental
-Globalization heightens insecurity and conflict
-Realism describes the world as it is and the need for survival justifies immoral acts (long term progress justifies short term sacrifices)