IR Exam 1

Question 1

-Collective Interests v. self interests
How to Solve:
- Dominance
- Reciprocity
- Identity

Answer 1

Collective Goods Problem

Question 2

• an inhabited territorial entity controlled by a government that exercises sovereignty over its territory
• considered fundamental unit of the International political system

Answer 2

State

Question 3

an organization whose members are state governments
- Ex: United Nations, World Health Organizations, NATO, World Trade Organization, European Union

Answer 3

Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)

Question 4

a condition of supreme, independent political authority answerable to no higher authority

Answer 4

Sovereignty

Question 5

companies that have subsidiaries in multiple countries
- Ex: Walmart, China National Petroleum, State Grid

Answer 5

Multinational Corporations

Question 6

a transnational group or entity that interacts with states, MNCs, other NGOs, and IGOs
- Ex: Amnesty International, Medicine sans frontiere, Oxfam

Answer 6

International Nongovernmental Organizations (INGOs)

Question 7

private groups that illegitimately use force to achieve their goals
- Ex: ISIS, Hamas, Al Qaeda, FARC in Colombia

Answer 7

Illegally-armed NGOs

Question 8

concerns the perceptions, choices, and actions of individual human beings

Answer 8

Individual Level of Analysis

Question 9

concerns the aggregations of individuals within states that influence state actions in the international arena

Answer 9

State/National Level of Analysis

Question 10

concerns the influence of the international system upon outcomes

Answer 10

Systemic/International Level of Analysis

Question 11

the socio-economic and political disparity between the wealthier, developed countries primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere (“Global North”) and the poorer, developing countries largely situated in the Southern Hemisphere (“Global South”)

Answer 11

North-South Gap

Question 12

a period of geopolitical rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union that lasted from 1945 until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990 (communism v. capitalism)

Answer 12

Cold War

Question 13

• a military alliance between countries in Europe and North America. The organization was formed in 1949 to counter the Soviet Union’s expansion in Europe.
• is and was a security community from the beginning
• member states trusted each other not to use violence

Answer 13

NATO

Question 14

Human nature is based on greed, power, and security
- Ex: a country prioritizing its own security interests by building up its military in response to a perceived threat from a neighboring nation

Answer 14

Realism

Question 15

the tendency of states to view the defensive arming of adversaries as threatening, causing them to arm in response, so that all states’ security declines

Answer 15

Security Dilemma

Question 16

the distribution of power among states is the primary factor influencing their actions and interactions, leading to competition and a focus on self-preservation rather than cooperation

Answer 16

Neorealism

Question 17

the largest wars will 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

Answer 17

Power Transition Theory

Question 18

a political and philosophical belief in individual freedom, equality, democracy, and limited government intervention in personal lives and the economy. It values human rights, free speech, and the rule of law
- Ex: Freedom of Speech, Democracy, Human Rights

Answer 18

Liberalism

Question 19

• focuses on international
  institutions (such as IGOs and international law)

Answer 19

Institutional liberalism

Question 20

• focuses on economic
  interdependence and free trade

Answer 20

Commercial liberalism

Question 21

– focuses on spreading
democracies

Answer 21

Political liberalism

Question 22

the idea that people create their own understanding and knowledge of the world through experiences and reflection. It is often used in education, international relations, and philosophy
- Ex: Learning by Doing, Social norms, Child Development

Answer 22

Constructivism

Question 23

A scenario where cooperation provides the best outcome, but trust is required. If one person defects (chooses a safer but smaller reward), it forces the other to do the same
- Ex: Two hunters can work together to hunt a stag (big reward) or individually hunt rabbits (small reward). If one hunter chases a rabbit, the other is left without the stag and must also settle for a rabbit.

Answer 23

Stag Hunt

Question 24

A situation where two individuals must choose between cooperation and betrayal. The best overall outcome comes from cooperation, but the fear of being betrayed often leads both to act selfishly, resulting in a worse outcome for both.
- Ex: Two criminals are arrested. If both stay silent, they get a short sentence. If one betrays the other, the betrayer goes free, and the other gets a long sentence. If both betray, both get moderate sentences.

Answer 24

Prisoner’s Dilemma

Question 25

one involves the risk of betrayal leading to worse outcomes, while the other depends on mutual trust to achieve the best reward but can still benefit slightly from defecting — both highlight the tension between self-interest and cooperation

Answer 25

Prisoner's Dilemma v. Stag Hunt

Question 26

- A branch of socialism that emphasizes exploitation and class struggle and includes both communism and other approaches. - Focus is on economic class and the consolidation of wealth among individuals and states. - Ex: Communism

Answer 26

Marxism

Question 27

when there is no central authority or world government to enforce rules between countries. Each state acts in its own interest, leading to cooperation or conflict based on power and survival.

Answer 27

Anarchy

Question 28

when two powerful countries support opposing sides in a conflict instead of fighting each other directly. This allows them to compete for influence while avoiding direct war. - Ex: Vietnam War (1955–1975) – The U.S. aided South Vietnam, while the Soviet Union and China supported North Vietnam.

Answer 28

Proxy War

Question 29

when countries rely on each other economically, politically, or socially, making cooperation beneficial and conflict costly - Ex: Global Trade, Climate Agreements, European Union

Answer 29

Interdependence

Question 30

the strategy of preventing an enemy from taking unwanted actions, usually through the threat of severe consequences, such as military retaliation or economic sanctions.

Answer 30

Deterrence

Question 31

countries that benefit from the efforts or resources of others without contributing fairly to the costs or responsibilities (freeloaders)

Answer 31

Free Riders