Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Winter 2025 > Pols 261 > Flashcards

Pols 261 Flashcards

(66 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are two possible definitions for international relations?

A

1) the diplomatic strategic relations of states, with the characteristic focus for international relations being on issues of war and peace, conflict and cooperation.

2) about cross border transactions of all kinds: political, economic, and social

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Why are sovereign states considered sovereign?

A

Because no higher body has the right to issue orders to them

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the conventional account of international relations stress?

A

The relationship between states is one of anarchy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What does anarchy mean in the context of international relations?

A

The absence of a formal system of government ( no supreme body which governs over national governments)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is considered the main concern of states?

A

Security

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Diplomacy is the:

A

Exercise of influence

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Who are key actors in state-centric international relations?

A

Diplomats and soldiers

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the radical approach to international relations called?

A

Structuralism or centre-periphery analysis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What does the structuralist approach to international relations emphasize?

A

The existence of global forces; a world structure with emphasis placed on national interests and classes.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Where is structuralism largely located?

A

Advanced industrial world

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is the goal of structuralism?

A

To dominate and exploit the rest of the world, usually by economic, political, and military means.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

From the neo-marxist viewpoint of structuralism, what kind of global system are we left with?

A

Rather than a world of states and national societies, we are left with a stratified global system in which class dominated class on the world stage.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Define explanatory theories

A

Try to explain why and under what circumstances something happens.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Define normative/prescriptive theories

A

Try to tell us what our attitude towards something should be

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Define structural power

A

The ability to shape issues in such a way that outcomes are restricted before they reach the point of decision

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Define pluralism

A

The diversity within a political body, which is seen to permit the peaceful coexistence of different interests, convictions, and lifestyles

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is politics? (Simple)

A

Who gets what, when, how

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Power

A

What we can do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Authority

A

What we will do

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

The world is made up of what?

A

States that are sovereign and have hard borders

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

States generally act in

A

Their national interest (WW2 mentality)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Complex interdependence

A
  • the world is globalized
  • build complex economic relationships with other states
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Civil society

A

About representing and seeking change in the name of those who might be marginalized

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Critical narrative

A
  • less about globalization and more about class
  • elites dictate structure for their own interests
  • use coercion and fear to maintain order
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Traditional narrative
- states, diplomats, soldiers - hard borders - national interest
26
Complex interdependence narrative
- globalization, MNC’s, civil society - thinning borders (from globalization) - global interests (trade, peace, security, etc.)
27
Critical narrative traits
- class, power, coercion - artificial borders - power-based interests
28
Concepts in global politics are
Social constructions
29
Sovereignty is…
The supreme authority in a clearly defined territory
30
Anarchy is…
The lack of overarching authority
31
What are the two options from the global system?
Anarchy or state hierarchy
32
Define complex interdependence
State are connected through various non-military issues and economic exchanges, making cooperation essential for solving conflicts
33
Define structuralism
Global politics defined by wealth and privilege
34
What are the three narratives of global politics?
Traditional, complex interdependence, critical
35
Define sovereignty
State are connected through various non-military issues and economic exchanges, making cooperation essential for solving conflicts
36
Define anarchy
The idea that the world lacks any supreme authority
37
Define structuration
The position that social action cannot be fully explained by the structure or agency theories alone
38
What is the purpose of theory in IR
To think deeply, understand, and explain the world we live in
39
Why is theory useful in IR?
To answer questions that don’t have clear answers
40
Explanatory questions
Why something happens
41
Normative questions
What should happen
42
Interpretive questions
Why did this happen at this time
43
What did power defined global order lead to
The concert of Europe
44
Clausewitz on war:
The extension of politics by other means
45
League of Nations
The first intergovernmental organization whose principle mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded by the Paris Peace Conference (10/01/1920) that ended WW1
46
Concert of Europe
Established a set of principles, rules, and practices that helped maintain balance between the major powers after the Napoleonic Wars
47
What are status quo theories?
Those which take the system as a given
48
What was founded in 1919 that was significant to IR
The League of Nations and the Woodrow Wilson Chair of IR
49
What did functional organizations prove?
That international problems could be overcome
50
Liberalism slogan
Rationality + freedom = progress
51
What was the first status quo theory
Liberalism
52
When did liberalism emerge?
After WW1, the barbarity of the war created an urge and an intent to tame global politics
53
What are three points of liberalism (as a status quo theory)?
- not subjects but citizens - built on normative expectations; governments should be legitimate - trying to treat everybody equally
54
What was liberalism built on?
The success of domestic politics
55
What are the three main variants of liberalism as a status quo theory?
Liberal internationalism, democratic peace theory, neo-liberal institutionalism
56
What is the core assumption of liberal internationalism as a status quo theory?
1. There is a national harmony of interests between people: we all want security, prosperity, and meaning. 2. Distorted by class hierarchy
57
What is liberal internationalism's solution?
1. Commerce: increases interdependence → increases costs of war. 2. Thins the line between 'us' and 'them' → harder to identify 'them' as the enemy.
58
59
How does liberal internationalism seek to tame anarchy?
Via norms, regimes, and soft law
60
What is soft law?
Quasi-legal instruments which do not have any legally binding force, or whose binding force is somewhat weaker than the binding force of traditional law.
61
What's the purpose of institutions in liberal internationalism?
Formal institutions regularise contact, formalize dispute settlement, and monitor behaviour.
62
What is a slogan for liberal internationalism?
Agency is possible
63
What are core assumptions of democratic peace theory?
① democracies don't usually go to war with each other ② closest thing to a scientific law un global politics ③ based on Kant’s perpetual peace
64
Why does democratic peace theory work?
→ democracy makes war more difficult (interdependence) → institutional checks and balances → the need to justify the blood of citizens → normative expectations of peaceful solutions → does not mean democracies are pacifists
65
What is democratic peace theory's solution?
→ increase democracy globally for security; support democratization → city on the hill vs. Intervention; act like a role model but don't intervene
66

Winter 2025 (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions