Study questions Flashcards
(33 cards)
What is the realist approach to outer space?
Realists view space as a strategic domain where powerful countries compete for dominance, just like on Earth. They believe military power in space is crucial for national security. One realist thinker, Everett Dolman, argues the U.S. should control space and leave behind old treaties that limit its power.
What areas of outer space are thought key for countries?
Orbits, especially low Earth orbit and geostationary orbit (used for satellites)
Launch pads on Earth (close to the equator for efficiency)
Space stations, which serve both scientific and military uses
These areas are valuable for communication, surveillance, defense, and global influence.
What is the realist opinion on militarization of space?
Realists generally support the militarization of space. They think space must be controlled to protect national interests, even using military satellites or defense systems. Treaties are seen as weak limits that powerful states should move beyond if needed.
What are the core features of a liberal outlook on outer space?
Liberals emphasize cooperation, peaceful use, and shared benefits. They believe space should unite countries through science and diplomacy, not divide them. They support international rules to avoid conflict and encourage joint projects like the International Space Station.
Why is a federal approach better than hegemony in outer space?
A federal approach means shared power and cooperation. It prevents one country from dominating and helps build fair global rules. The idea is that no single state should control space—it should be a common good, managed together.
What is the liberal institutionalist view on the 1967 Outer Space Treaty (OST)?
Liberal institutionalists support the OST because it promotes:
Peaceful use of space
No national ownership
Cooperation among countries
They see it as a foundation for managing space fairly and avoiding conflicts.
What are the principles in the 1963 UN Declaration on Outer Space?
This non-binding declaration included key ideas like:
Space is free for all to explore and use
It must be used for peaceful purposes
Countries are responsible for their space actions
These ideas later became part of the 1967 OST.
What is the legal regime of the Outer Space Treaty (OST) of 1967?
The OST is the main international space law treaty. It sets basic rules for how states and companies can operate in space, focusing on peace, cooperation, and no territorial claims.
What are the core principles of the OST?
No national ownership of celestial bodies (like the Moon)
Peaceful use only—no weapons of mass destruction in space
Equal access for all countries
Countries are responsible for both government and private activities
Help astronauts in trouble (they’re seen as “envoys of mankind”)
What topics are increasingly regulated by national governments in outer space?
Governments now make laws to manage:
Private space companies
Satellite launches
Insurance and safety
Environmental protection
Space mining and debris management
These laws fill gaps not fully covered by international treaties.
How did regionalization show up in space cooperation?
Countries have started forming regional partnerships:
European Space Agency (ESA)
China–Brazil space programs
Argentina–China collaborations
These efforts let smaller or developing countries share costs and technology, and increase their role in space without going it alone.
What are the main differences between soft power and hard power, and how do they influence others differently?
Soft power - is about attracting others and getting them to want what you want. It works through trust, admiration, and shared values.
Hard power - is about forcing or paying others to do what you want—using military threats, pressure, or money.
So, soft power changes people’s minds; hard power changes their actions.
Why is it a mistake to confuse soft power with cultural resources or non-military tools?
people often mix up tools (like culture or media) with power itself. Just having culture or films doesn’t mean a country has soft power.
What really matters is how others feel about those things—do they admire, trust, or feel connected to the country? That’s what creates real soft power.
What are the three key “power currencies” , for soft power, and how does each one work?
Benignity: Acting kind and helpful (like giving aid) builds trust and goodwill.
Brilliance: Being successful and competent (like having good schools or tech) makes others admire you.
Beauty: Representing values or ideals (like freedom or fairness) makes others identify with you.
How can states use specific tools—like education programs or foreign aid—to generate soft power, and why do these tools succeed?
Countries can offer scholarships, help in disasters, or support global issues. These actions show kindness, success, or shared values.
They work because people see the country as generous, smart, or good, and this creates positive feelings and trust, which leads to influence.
soft power often works through myths, and how can success or values be turned into influential narratives?
Soft power spreads through stories or images that make a country look peaceful, advanced, or moral. These stories—called myths—shape how people see a country.
When others believe the myth, they are more likely to support, admire, or follow that country, even if the full truth is more complex.
What is the core of geopolitics?
Geopolitics studies how real-world limits—like geography, economy, power, and history—shape what is possible in politics. It’s about understanding why certain political actions succeed or fail, based on material and psychological constraints.
What is the difference between “classic” geopolitics and modern one?
Classic geopolitics focused mainly on geography (like borders, sea routes, and land).
Modern geopolitics includes many other factors—like economics, ideology, history, alliances, technology, and even psychology.
Modern analysts see power as shaped by multiple interacting forces, not geography alone.
What principle/force speaks against one political power determining political events?
Political actions are shaped by many competing forces, like interests of other states, economic shifts, public opinion, and unpredictable events.
This disproves conspiracy thinking—no one person or group can control everything, because every “political will” is changed when it meets other forces.
Even superpowers like the U.S. cannot fully shape the world alone.
What are the differences between obvious, hidden or unconscious interests of political actors?
Obvious - Openly stated goals A company asks for tariffs to protect its products
Hidden - Disguised behind moral or ideological claims A business says it’s about safety, but really wants profit
Unconscious - People don’t realize the real reasons for their behavior. Voters fear change but blame foreigners or institutions
How does geopolitics resemble medical diagnosis?
Just like a doctor studies symptoms to find out what’s really wrong, geopolitical analysts examine reality without emotional bias.
They don’t pretend the world is perfect—they look at how it really works so better political decisions can be made. The goal is understanding, not judgment.
Explain the four layers of cyberspace:
—–Physical Infrastructure—–
Cables, satellites, servers, real, material hardware.
——Logical Infrastructure —-
Protocols, routing systems, IP addresses—how the internet functions.
—–Applications—-
Software and platforms—Google, Facebook, email systems.
—– Cognitive Layer—–
Human activity online , opinions, disinformation, and digital communication.
How do states return or take control over cyberspace? Why?
States take control by:
Building cyber defense forces
Creating laws to regulate platforms and data
Developing national strategies for cybersecurity and surveillance
They do this to protect national security, fight cybercrime, and maintain control in a domain that was once borderless.
What kind of security threats come from cyberspace or are worsened by it?
Cyberattacks (on banks, infrastructure, defense)
Cyber espionage (stealing secrets or spying)
Disinformation campaigns (e.g., fake news)
Cybercrime (fraud, identity theft)
These threats are often fast, hard to trace, and cross borders.
