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International Theory > Midterm > Flashcards

Midterm Flashcards

(65 cards)

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1
Q

International System

A

All areas are divided into nation states.

Derived from European conception.

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2
Q

Eurocentrism

A

The international system is flawed in the sense that it started as a European conception. Sovereignty in itself is European.

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3
Q

Treaty of Westphalia

A

Ended the 30 Years War in 1648, established sovereignty

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4
Q

Sovereignty

A

Established independence from other world powers.

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5
Q

Sovereignty’s Empirical Conditions

A

TERP

Territory
Effective Rule
Recognition
Population

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6
Q

Sovereignty’s Juridical Condition

A

Equality

Autonomy

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7
Q

Equality

A

Equality in terms of the system, not capability

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8
Q

Autonomy

A

Does not have to answer to a higher authority

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9
Q

Recognition

A

Must be recognized by the other

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10
Q

Teleological Theory

A

Means to an end

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11
Q

Anarchy

A

There is no world government.

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12
Q

International Event

A

Action taken by an actor, directed at a target that crosses national boundaries.

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13
Q

System Level of Analysis

A

Patterns we observe in international events are due to the characteristics of the system.

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14
Q

State Level of Analysis

A

Patterns we observe are due to the characteristics in the nation-states

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15
Q

Individual Level of Analysis

A

Patterns we observe are from the characteristics of the individuals that perform them.

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16
Q

Neorealism / Structural Realism

A

Individual nation-states pursue power in order to survive. System creates the realist syllogism.

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17
Q

Constructivism

A

The system is built on rules, norms, and practices of those who participate in it.
Interests are not predefined.

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18
Q

Realism

A

The primary interest of the state is power.

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19
Q

Defensive Realism

A

Kenneth Waltz

Unwise for states to maximize power, and the system will punish them if they get too much

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20
Q

Offensive Realism

A

It makes good sense to maximize power. States should pursue hegemony if circumstances permit.

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21
Q

Liberalism

A

Liberalists believe that power comes through order of the system.

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22
Q

Neoliberalism

A

Neoliberalism is derived from the need for peace as a necessary condition for economic survival. Order emerges from nationstates with similar interests.

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23
Q

Rule Based Constructivism

A

Rules embedded in social relations define dominant systems

Chess example

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24
Q

Social Constructivism

A

Documents how history, culture, and social practices form identities that define interests.

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25
Norm Based Constructivism
International norms define appropriate behavior are created when a certain number of agents accept the norms.
26
Self Help System
States cannot rely on their own power to ensure survival | Can build alliances for more power. Can't reach out to the rest of the world unless their interests are in play.
27
Discipline
Special methodology, vocabulary, accepted abstractions
28
Historical Phase
1900-1914 Attempted to explain the present by understanding the past Onuf + Olson
29
Organizational Phase
Offered solutions in the form of structure, changed to make prevention happen
30
Utopianism in Organization
Unable to explain fascism during the organizational phase
31
Realist Phase
Reactionary to Utopians | Similar to realism where the primary interest is survival, and power is critical to any outcome
32
Kuhn's Stages of Science
Revolutionized how the view of science works "Scientists are people, and people get jealous" Provided rules for evaluating knowledge and validating findings.
33
Paradigm
A collection of agreed upon by a group of professionals.
34
Normative Theory
Attempts to explain or understand how IR should be or can be based on norms.
35
Positive Theory
Attempts to understand how IR works through posits, perspectives, or questions
36
Deontology
Kant | Class of moral decision making according to which some acts are wrong REGARDLESS of consequences.
37
Cosmopolitanism
Ethical perspective from which all individuals have equal moral standing, and obligations and allegiances are defined with reference to the universal category of human kind. We're all one <3
38
Consequentialism
The "right thing" to do is based purely on its end results. | "The road to hell is paved with good intentions"
39
Communitarianism
Obligations and allegiances as defined with reference to distinct and political communities.
40
Ontology
Branch of philosophy that studies the nature of being and existence. Comes in two variants, Positive and Interpretive.
41
Positive Ontology
Most explanations are based in institutional behavior, as all experiences are posited. Something to be examined, classified, and understood, like a biologist and a cell.
42
Interpretive Ontology
Views the system as a | social construction. Attempts to apply meaning. to a situation.
43
Epistemology
Investigation of origin, nature, methods, limits, and growth. Comes in both Positive and Interpretive.
44
Methodology
What is the best way to gain evidence about the world? Contains different approaches about different topics.
45
Critical Theory
A collection of thoughts about international relations that all have merit, and should be critically evaluated when possible
46
Thomas Hobbes' Leviathan
Humans are equal in capability and they have the same self interests.
47
E.H. Carr and the 20 Years Crisis
Critical of the Utopian phase of IR. Carr was a realist, which counteracted utopianism. Questioned why states did what they did.
48
Hans Morgenthau + Politics Among Nations
Created the classical realism syllogism, where National Interest = Survival. Survival = Power National Interest = Power One cannot judge another's acts based on morality.
49
Human Nature
Human nature is nasty and brutish, where people only act in their own self interest.
50
Morgenthau's Six Principles of Realism
Political relationships are rooted in human nature. Leaders act in interest defined as power. Interest defined as power is not easily determined, but survival is the minimum. Cannot judge a state on its actions. What seems immoral to one is moral to another. Moral aspirations cannot be identified with universal moral rules. Politics is autonomous from other endeavors.
51
Thucydides and The Melean Dialogues
Island of Melos invaded by Athens. Classical realism says that the Athenians are in the right, and did what they had to do. Might makes right.
52
Franco-Prussian War of 1870
Otto von Bismarck and the unification of German states
53
Balance of Power
Exists in anarchy. Elements are balanced because it is necessary for society to exist.
54
Balancing Behavior
Joining the "weaker" force to curb a potential hegemon. Their survival will be risked if they do not do so.
55
Bandwagoning Behavior
Supporting the stronger force to save your own skin. The more powerful you are, the more likely others are to ally to you.
56
Kenneth Waltz
Defensive Realism | States should not get greedy. The system will inherently punish them for too much power
57
Reductionist Theory
Theories will reduce the ideas and examine them at the individual level.
58
Systemic Theory
Theories will expand ideas and examine them at a systemic level.
59
Relative gain
Concern of having power over something.
60
Absolute gain
What states look at when thinking about their decisions / interests
61
Pacific Federlism
Kant | Expanded trade, International organization to facilitate these processes
62
Kantian Triangle
International organizations, democracy, and economic independence all fluctuate and interact with one another with peace in the center.
63
Perpetual Peace
Analogy to a graveyard The only time where peace is attainable forever is when you're dead. Addresses the trouble of dealing with international relations
64
Anarchy Problematique
What circumstances would cooperation be favored under anarchy? What strategies can states adopt to support cooperation?
65
Prisoner's Dilemma
Game Theory scenario | The optimal strategy

International Theory (2 decks)

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