Systems, Ideologies Flashcards
What are the three levels that drive world politics, according to systems analysis?
A. Economy, culture, and religion
B. System (nature of the world), state, and individual
C. State, technology, and ideology
D. Military power, alliances, and resources
B. System (nature of the world), state, and individual
What is the primary focus of systems theories in International Relations?
A. Examining only the behavior of non-state actors
B. Focusing on the structure of the international system to explain the behavior of its units
C. Understanding the historical events that led to major wars
D. Promoting economic collaboration between states
B. Focusing on the structure of the international system to explain the behavior of its units
What are the primary “units” in a system of states according to systems analysis?
A. Corporations
B. States
C. International organizations
D. Non-governmental organizations
B. States
What approach does systems analysis use to study world politics?
A. Bottom-up
B. Lateral
C. Top-down
D. Circular
C. Top-down
What assumption does systems analysis make about the behavior of actors within a system?
A. Behavior is completely random and unpredictable
B. There are behavioral tendencies that actor countries usually follow, making the system somewhat predictable
C. Actors follow religious beliefs exclusively
D. Only non-state actors influence the behavior of states
B. There are behavioral tendencies that actor countries usually follow, making the system somewhat predictable
What is the purpose of systems analysis in International Relations?
A. To identify and control specific individual actors
B. To understand the operation of the entire political system through conceptual frameworks and methodologies
C. To promote cultural interactions between different nations
D. To focus solely on economic factors
B. To understand the operation of the entire political system through conceptual frameworks and methodologies
What does systems analysis assume about the interactions within any given international system?
A. Interactions are completely random
B. The system operates in a somewhat predictable way
C. There is no structure or pattern to interactions
D. Systems change rapidly without any behavioral patterns
B. The system operates in a somewhat predictable way
What might a system of complete anarchy look like in international relations?
A. A system with highly structured alliances and international agreements
B. A system where there are no overarching authorities, and states act solely in their self-interest
C. A system dominated by a single global government
D. A system with complete economic cooperation and stability
B. A system where there are no overarching authorities, and states act solely in their self-interest
How does the system level of analysis differ from the individual level of analysis?
A. The system level focuses on specific leaders, while the individual level examines states collectively
B. The system level looks at global structures, while the individual level focuses on the personal actions and decisions of specific leaders
C. The system level examines only non-state actors, while the individual level focuses on military alliances
D. The system level is concerned with cultural exchanges, while the individual level studies economic trends
B. The system level looks at global structures, while the individual level focuses on the personal actions and decisions of specific leaders
What are “global political factors” in systems analysis?
A. Local cultural traditions that impact only one state
B. Economic policies of individual states
C. Factors that determine the pattern of interaction among actors in an international system
D. Domestic policies that influence only regional politics
C. Factors that determine the pattern of interaction among actors in an international system
What is the purpose of systems analysis in International Relations?
A. To study economic growth in developing countries
B. To create a global government for managing state relations
C. To provide conceptual frameworks and methodologies for understanding the operation of the political system
D. To focus solely on the personal actions of individual leaders
C. To provide conceptual frameworks and methodologies for understanding the operation of the political system
What tasks are typically carried out by the authority structure within a system?
A. It makes and enforces rules, allocates assets, and conducts other authoritative tasks
B. It focuses solely on cultural exchanges
C. It regulates personal relationships between leaders
D. It only controls the economic aspects of the system
A. It makes and enforces rules, allocates assets, and conducts other authoritative tasks
What is a key characteristic of most authority structures in systems?
A. They are always democratic
B. They are mostly hierarchical
C. They focus on horizontal alliances
D. They avoid rule-making
B. They are mostly hierarchical
Which of the following best describes a hierarchical authority structure?
A. Authority is centralized and follows a top-down model
B. Authority is spread equally among all actors
C. Authority shifts frequently between different organizations
D. Authority is based solely on economic power
A. Authority is centralized and follows a top-down model
What type of authority structure is exemplified by organizations like the WTO, NATO, and ASEAN?
A. Vertical authority structure
B. Economic authority structure
C. Horizontal authority structure
D. Military authority structure
C. Horizontal authority structure
What is the most fundamental element of the authority structure within the international system?
A. Military alliances
B. Economic sanctions
C. State sovereignty
D. Cultural exchanges
C. State sovereignty
What does it mean when we say the international system is “anarchical”?
A. It is highly regulated by a central organization
B. There is no overarching central authority regulating the actions of states
C. It is controlled by a small number of powerful states
D. It operates on a strict legal framework agreed upon by all states
B. There is no overarching central authority regulating the actions of states
Which historical system exemplified a hierarchical authority structure based on suzerain-vassal relationships?
A. The tributary system of Feudalism in medieval European societies
B. The League of Nations
C. The U.S. federal system
D. The UN Security Council
A. The tributary system of Feudalism in medieval European societies
What are the potential advantages and disadvantages of state sovereignty within an international system?
A. Sovereignty only leads to conflict and has no benefits
B. Sovereignty promotes theoretical equality among states but also enables unregulated competition based on national interests
C. Sovereignty always promotes peace between states
D. Sovereignty eliminates the need for alliances
B. Sovereignty promotes theoretical equality among states but also enables unregulated competition based on national interests
Which type of authority structure lacks a clear central authority, with power distributed across various actors?
A. Vertical authority structure
B. Anarchical authority structure
C. Totalitarian authority structure
D. Federal authority structure
B. Anarchical authority structure
What kind of global initiative is the OBOR/BRI and how is it perceived?
A. A regional military alliance
B. China’s infrastructure strategy
C. An educational exchange program for developing nations
D. A United Nations peacekeeping mission
B. China’s infrastructure strategy
What are the three general categories of system level actors in international relations?
A. National actors, individual actors, cultural actors
B. National actors, supranational actors, and transnational actors
C. Governmental, non-governmental, and private sector actors
D. Religious, cultural, and economic actors
B. National actors, supranational actors, and transnational actors
What are the primary national actors in world politics?
A. Non-governmental organizations
B. States, as territorially based political units
C. Supranational organizations
D. International corporations
B. States, as territorially based political units
What is the basis of a state’s role in international relations?
A. Its technological advancements
B. Its sovereignty and the political loyalty of its people
C. Its ability to form alliances with non-state actors
D. Its cultural influence
B. Its sovereignty and the political loyalty of its people