Midterm #1

Question 1

What is a theory in the context of social sciences?

Answer 1

A statement of relationship between two factors (how does x cause y?)

Question 2

What are perspectives in relation to theories?

Answer 2

Sets of theories that highlight similar sets of factors to explain events

Question 3

What is a dependent variable (DV)?

Answer 3

What we are trying to explain variation in

Question 4

What is an explanatory variable (EV)?

Answer 4

The factor whose variation we think leads to variation in the dependent variable

Question 5

What does behaviorism propose?

Answer 5

Individuals alone and in groups behave according to certain patterns that can be described, explained, and predicted

Question 6

What are the three purposes of theories?

Answer 6

• Descriptions
• Explanation
• Prediction

Question 7

What defines the international system according to realism?

Answer 7

Anarchy (no hierarchical system)

Question 8

What are the four criteria to be a state?

Answer 8

• Defined territory
• Permanent population
• Government
• Capacity to enter relations with other states

Question 9

What do international institutions consist of?

Answer 9

• International laws
• Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs)

Question 10

What is the key explanatory variable for realism?

Answer 10

Various aspects of state power

Question 11

What does liberalism emphasize as a key explanatory variable?

Answer 11

Interdependence and institutions

Question 12

What are the key explanatory variables in constructivism?

Answer 12

Ideas, identities, and norms

Question 13

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 13

Falsifiable statements positing a particular relationship among two or more variables

Question 14

What type of data involves qualitative analysis?

Answer 14

Comparing human rights violations in different types of states

Question 15

What type of data involves quantitative analysis?

Answer 15

Statistical analysis of a large number of countries

Question 16

What is the definition of national security?

Answer 16

The ability of a state to protect its interests, secrets, and citizens from threats

Question 17

What is the difference between interstate and intrastate wars?

Answer 17

• Interstate: violence between two or more states
• Intrastate: violence within a state

Question 18

What is unconventional warfare?

Answer 18

Warfare where effects are not limited in space and time, often involving chemical or nuclear weapons

Question 19

What is the strategy of guerrilla warfare?

Answer 19

Hiding among civilians and using hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, and sabotage

Question 20

What are the implications of realism regarding state behavior?

Answer 20

States cooperate with concerns over relative gains and fear of cheating

Question 21

What is the concept of ‘soft power’?

Answer 21

The possibility of persuading based on the legitimacy of ideas or norms

Question 22

Fill in the blank: The three economic problems in Marxism are __________, __________, and __________.

Answer 22

[Overproduction of goods and services, Underconsumption by workers, Over Savings by the upper classes]

Question 23

What is the main focus of dependency theory?

Answer 23

Explaining underdevelopment as a consequence of the expansion of dominant states

Question 24

True or False: Realism assumes that states are unitary actors.

Answer 24

True

Question 25

What does the concept of 'social construction' imply in constructivism?

Answer 25

Meanings and identities are socially constructed through interaction

Question 26

What are the two types of balancing in realist theory?

Answer 26

* Internal Balancing * External Balancing

Question 27

What is the significance of the 'security dilemma' in realism?

Answer 27

The actions taken by a state to increase its own security can lead to increased insecurity for others

Question 28

What type of war involves multiple countries on one side or the other?

Answer 28

Internationalized intrastate war

Question 29

What is guerilla warfare?

Answer 29

A strategy where guerillas hide among civilians and use hit-and-run tactics, ambushes, sabotages, and raids against stronger military opponents.

Question 30

How does guerilla warfare reverse the conventional relationship between soldiers and civilians?

Answer 30

In conventional warfare, soldiers risk their lives; in guerilla warfare, civilians risk their lives to protect the guerillas.

Question 31

According to realism, what is a primary cause of war?

Answer 31

Anarchy leads to war because no authority exists to prevent it.

Question 32

What does power transition theory argue?

Answer 32

Power transitions can cause war as rising power states seek to solidify their position, while currently powerful states may initiate preemptive wars.

Question 33

What is the logic of power balancing?

Answer 33

States evaluate the costs and benefits of aggressive policies; without balance, stronger states may attack weaker ones.

Question 34

What is deterrence in the context of preventing war?

Answer 34

Deterrence is the manipulation of fear to prevent unwanted actions through credible threats of force.

Question 35

What is the democratic peace theory?

Answer 35

Democracies rarely go to war with each other due to shared norms of compromise and cooperation, and transparent decision-making processes.

Question 36

What is commercial peace theory?

Answer 36

States that are more interdependent are less likely to go to war because war disrupts trade and incurs costs.

Question 37

What is the idea behind collective security?

Answer 37

Unlawful aggression will be met by united action from many states, discouraging potential aggressors.

Question 38

What are the requirements of jus in bello?

Answer 38

* Noncombatant immunity * Proportionality of means and ends * Avoidance of human suffering * Prohibition of particularly heinous weapons.

Question 39

What is the significance of identities in constructivism regarding causes of war?

Answer 39

Identities such as 'restrained' vs. 'aggressive' can influence foreign policy and contribute to conflict.

Question 40

What is the role of socialization in constructivist approaches to preventing war?

Answer 40

As identities change, state behavior can change; states previously in conflict can start to cooperate.

Question 41

What is the 'Law of War'?

Answer 41

A set of guidelines that includes jus ad bellum and jus in bello, governing the legality and conduct of war.

Question 42

Fill in the blank: War is illegal under the _______.

Answer 42

[UN Charter]

Question 43

True or False: The security dilemma is completely resolved by collective security.

Answer 43

False

Question 44

What are the main problems identified in the realist argument for cooperation?

Answer 44

* Focus on relative gains * Security dilemma * Cheating concerns.

Question 45

What is the Prisoner's Dilemma?

Answer 45

A scenario where two individuals, acting in their own self-interest, end up worse off than if they had cooperated.

Question 46

What do neoliberalists argue regarding cooperation in an anarchic system?

Answer 46

Self-interest often points to cooperation; repeated interactions allow for reciprocity.

Question 47

What is the Kantian Triangle of Peace?

Answer 47

A theory explaining cooperation through democracy, economic interdependence, and international institutions.

Question 48

How do identities foster cooperation in constructivism?

Answer 48

Shared identities among democracies foster norms of nonviolent and compromise-oriented resolutions to disputes.

Question 49

What is the role of international institutions in promoting cooperation?

Answer 49

* Reduce transaction costs * Facilitate negotiation of cooperative agreements * Help states make credible commitments.

Question 50

What is the assumption of rational decision-making in deterrence theory?

Answer 50

Decision makers want to avoid war when anticipated costs of aggression exceed expected gains.

Question 51

What is the effect of nuclear weapons on state behavior regarding war?

Answer 51

They pose an unacceptable risk of mutual destruction, discouraging states from initiating war against nuclear states.

Question 52

What are the two conditions under which war is permissible according to the UN Charter?

Answer 52

* Acting in self-defense * UNSC approval.