POL250 Midterm Review

Which statement correctly describes an international regime? a) An international regime is a set of rules on which actors agree in regard to a particular issue area. b) An international regime can help solve gender gap problems by increasing transparency. c) An international regimed undermines the concept of sovereignty. d) An international regime deconstructs frameworks to coordinate states' actions.

a) An international regime is a set of rules on which actors agree in regard to a particular issue area.

How do dominance and reciprocity compare as solutions to collective goods problems? a) Dominance relies on a power hierarchy acting as a central authority, whereas reciprocity operates without any central authority. b) Dominance has advantages and disadvantages, whereas reciprocity has only advantages. c) Dominance forms the basis of most institutions in the international system, whereas reciprocity has limited applications. d) Dominance is the basis of cooperation in international relations, whereas reciprocity typically leads to conflict.

a) Dominance relies on a power hierarchy acting as a central authority, whereas reciprocity operates without any central authority.

____ is a necessary component of a state. a) Territory b) Civil society c) Presidency d) Democracy

a) Territory

Which is possibly a realist explanation for why states engage in balancing behavior? a) They do not trust each other due to the anarchic nature of the international system. b) They believe that a balance of power provides perpetual peace. c) They are trying to maintain instability in the international system. d) They believe that a balance of power ensures interstate cooperation.

a) They do not trust each other due to the archaic nature of the international system.

"Rally' round the flag" syndrome is exemplified by the sharp rise in public approval ratings received by President Bush due to the the commencing of war. a) True b) False

a) True

A current example of an international regime is the Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime. a) True b) False

a) True

According to neorealism, states exist within an anarchic international system and are functionally undifferentiated. a) True b) False

a) True

According to the balance-of-power theory, the balancer (hegemon and/or coalition of countries) will permit the defeated aggressor state to rejoin the international community (e.g. Germany after WWII). a) True b) False

a) True

Deterrence is defined as the threat to punish another actor if it takes a certain negative action. a) True b) False

a) True

Increased regional and international economic integration is a challenge to the explanatory power of realism/neorealism. * a) True b) False

a) True

Mutual Assured Destruction is an example of deterrence. a) True b) False

a) True

Promoting political, economic, and religious freedom is an example of the use of soft power. a) True b) False

a) True

Realists argue that WWII was the result of the failure of the policy of appeasement. * a) True b) False

a) True

Realists believe that states must engage in self-help in order to survive because of the lack of a central institution to deter aggression. * a) True b) False

a) True

The B-1 bomber was an excellent example of "gerrymandered subcontracting." a) True b) False

a) True

The belief that was of aggression are taboo is an example of a global norm. a) True b) False

a) True

Sovereignty is _______. a) a state government answering to no higher authority b) a goal of international organizations in world affairs c) the ability of one country to have influence over another d) the development of participatory institutions of social life

a) a state government answering to no higher authority

The collective goods problem is the challenge of providing something that benefits _______ members of a group regardless of the contribution of each member. * a) all the b) most of the c) half of the d) the moral

a) all the

The principle of sovereignty suggests states not meddle in the _____ and decision processes of other states. a) alliances b) maritime regimes c) internal affairs d) altruistic tendencies

a) alliances

The Cold War was an example of a ________ distribution of power a) bipolar b) multipolar c) unipolar

a) bipolar

The sequence of steps in the rational model of decision making is ____________. a) clarify goals, order goals by importance, list alternatives to achieve goals, investigate consequences of alternatives, and choose the course of action b) order goals by importance, list alternatives to achieve goals, clarify goals, investigate consequences of alternatives, and choose the course of action c) list alternatives to achieve goals, order goals by importance, investigate consequences of alternatives, clarify goals, and choose the course of action d) clarify goals, list alternatives, investigate consequences of alternatives, order goals by importance, and choose the course of action

a) clarify goals, order goals by importance, list alternatives to achieve goals, investigate consequences of alternatives, and choose the course of action

Bureaucratic politics is a _______ level of analysis explanation for the end of the Cold War. a) domestic b) global c) individual d) interstate e) state

a) domestic

Operation Opera is an example of the _____ principle. * a) dominance b) reciprocity c) identity

a) dominance

Theories derived from the realist perspective include a) neorealism, balance of power, and hegemonic stability power. b) hegemonic stability theory, collective security, and regime power. c) balance of power, structural realism, and dependency theory. d) dependency theory, hegemonic stability theory, and balance of power.

a) neorealism, balance of power, and hegemonic stability power.

The ability to get another actor to do what it would not otherwise have done or not to do what it would have done, is the definition of ______. a) power b) anarchy c) rationality d) realism

a) power

Collective security refers to ____________. a) the formation of a broad alliance to oppose aggression b) a set of rules on which actors agree in regard to a particular issue c) the proposition that democracies almost never fight wars against each other. d) a movement that examines how changing international norms shape the content of state interests

a) the formation of a broad alliance to oppose aggression

The current constellation of power in the international system could best be described as a ______ system. a) unipolar b) bipolar c) tripolar d) multipolar

a) unipolar

According to the hegemonic stability theory, relative gains are less important because of the military and economic power of the hegemon. a) True b) False

b) False

Economic power, as measured by Gross Domestic Product, is a subjective capability. a) True b) False

b) False

Evidence of vulnerability is changes in one country quickly producing costly changes in other countries. a) True b) False

b) False

Foreign aid is an example of the use of coercion to change the behavior of another country. * a) True b) False

b) False

Intense competition is an economic explanation for the claim that bipolarity is more likely to produce a stable international system than multi-polarity a) True b) False

b) False

Neorealists reject most of the key assumptions of realism. a) True b) False

b) False

Realists believe that states are the least important actors in international relations. a) True b) False

b) False

Realists claim that "If you want peace, do not prepare for war." * a) True b) False

b) False

The argument that a dominant state can enforce international rules, avoid collective goods problems, and encourage peace is known as the democratic stability theory. a) True b) False

b) False

The final step of the Rational Actor Model is to select the first option that meets the minimum acceptable standards. a) True b) False

b) False

________ are those who favor U.S. leadership and activism in world affairs. a) Moralists b) Internationalists c) Realists d) Unilateralists

b) Internationalists

The general idea that one or more states' power is being used to counter that of another state or group of states is called __________. a) compellence b) balance of power c) dominance d) containment

b) balance of power

Public opinion ________. * a) has greater force in authoritarian governments than in democracies b) has greater force in democracies than in authoritarian governments c) influences foreign policy decisions but is not influenced by them d) has more effect on foreign policy than on domestic policy in democracies

b) has greater force in democracies than in authoritarian governments

Modern realist theory developed in reaction to ________. a) the Cold War b) idealism c) Marxism d) constructivism

b) idealism

Citizens of a given ethnic background (e.g., Cuban-American) are among a number of ____ that might form to lobby governments on foreign policy. a) progagandists b) interest groups c) pollsters d) government leaders

b) interest groups

The most important feature of international relations according to a realist is ________. a) international law b) power c) absolute gains d) morality

b) power

Trade is an example of the ______ principle a) dominance b) reciprocity c) identity

b) reciprocity

Realists believe that hegemony ______. a) causes instability in the international system b) reduces anarchy and deters aggression in the international system c) enhances the sovereignty of less-powerful states d) tends to allow conflicts among middle powers or small states

b) reduces anarchy and deters aggression in the international system

The disadvantages of dominance as a solution to collective goods problems include a) a downward spiral as each side punishes what it believes to be negative acts by the other b) stability that comes at a cost of constant oppression of the lower-ranking members in the status hierarchy c) other groups being unlikely to challenge the top group's power position d) fueling arms races in which members respond to other members' buildup of weapons

b) stability that comes at a cost of constant oppression of the lower-ranking members in the status hierarchy

Because it is entirely a U.S. entity but also operates an International Trade Division to promote exports and foreign investment, the state of Ohio could be convestment, the Ohio could be considered a(n) ____ actor. a) governmental b) substate c) international d) transnational

b) substate

Each prisoner is most likely to receive a ______ sentence. a) one year b) ten year c) fifty year d) None of the above

b) ten year

A security dilemma occurs when __________. a) budget constraints do not allow for proper domestic security measures b) the actions taken by a state to ensure its own security threaten the security of other states c) governments are unable to decide on a comprehensive security strategy d) a state does not want to cooperate with another state but it is obliged to

b) the actions taken by a state to ensure its own security threaten the security of other states

With respect to power, _________. * a) it is not difficult to measure the power of another state accurately b) the relative power of a state is more important to realists than the absolute power of a state c) more powerful states will always defeat weaker states in a war d) if a state's own values become widely shared among other states, it is harder to exercise power over them

b) the relative power of a state is more important to realists than the absolute power of a state

________ is not a multi-national corporation. a) Toyota b) ExxonMobil c) Red Cross d) Wal-Mart

c) Red Cross

Why are collective goods easier to provide in small groups than in large groups? a) In a small group, the free riding of one member is harder to conceal. b) In a small group, the free riding of one member has a smaller impact on the overall collective good. c) Small groups tend to have a central authority to enforce rules on members. d) Small groups want to cooperate more than large groups.

c) Small groups tend to have a central authority to enforce rules on members.

Which statement regarding interest groups is correct? a) They have a nearly endless supply of funding. b) They are organized in order to influence the outcome in political issues. c) They are coalitions of people who share a common interest in the outcome of a neighborhood issue. d) They have a great deal of influence on foreign policy.

c) They are coalitions of people who share a common interest in the outcome of a neighborhood issue.

Some liberalists have argued that introducing communication the Prisoner's Dilemma in the form of a lawyer who can relay messages between both prisoners could change the payoff matrix in favor of cooperation. Applied to international relations, who or what could play the role of the "lawyer"? a) a local neighborhood organization b) a superpower such as the United States c) a regional organization such as the South Asian Association d) an individual such as a military officer

c) a regional organization such as the South Asian Association

International relations _________. a) involves only presidents, generals, and diplomats b) influences daily life only when war occurs c) concerns the relationships among the world's governments d) is largely concerned with bilateral relations between states

c) concerns the relationships among the world's governments

Levels of analysis offer ____ explanations for international events, such as the end of the Cold War. a) military b) uniform c) different d) individual

c) different

Working through international institutions to achieve foreign policy goals is the preference of ________. a) isolationists b) unilateralists c) multilateralists d) realists

c) multilateralists

According to international relations research, a unipolar power distribution appears to be best at maintaining _____. a) anarchy b) conflict c) peace d) diplomacy

c) peace

Thomas Hobbes belongs to the ______ school of thought. a) Marxist b) neo-conservative c) realist d) objectivist

c) realist

Thucydides is considered to belong to the ______ school of thought. a) Marxist b) neoconservative c) realist d) objectivist

c) realist

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has bestowed the Nobel Peace Prize on ___ UCLA alumni, while __ USC alumni have received this very prestigious award. a) one, two b) zero, one c) two, one d) one, zero

c) two, one

_______ are characteristics of globalization. * a) Economic integration b) Global communication and transportation networks c) Homogeneous global consumer culture d) All of the above

d) All of the above

How is the identity principle distinguished from the dominance and reciprocity principles? a) The identity principle relies on mutually beneficial arrangements, whereas the dominance and reciprocity principles rely on members sacrificing their own interests to benefit others. b) Contributions to development assistance or UN peacekeeping missions are better explained by the dominance and reciprocity principles than by the identity principle. c) The identity principle plays no role in preventing nuclear proliferation, whereas the dominance and reciprocity principles do play a role. d) The identity principle does not rely on self-interest, whereas the dominance and reciprocity principles rely on achieving individual self-interest.

d) The identity principle does not rely on self-interest, whereas the dominance and reciprocity principles rely on achieving individual self-interest.

________ are two intergovernmental organizations. a) Amnesty International and the Red Cross b) The WTO and the United Fruit Company c) OPEC and ISIS d) World Trade Organization and United Nations

d) World Trade Organization and United Nations

Trade increases wealth, cooperation, and ultimately peace is ________. a) a key belief of orthodox Marxism b) an explanation by Thomas Hobbes of how peace and cooperation are possible c) a theory developed to facilitate greater sovereignty d) an explanation by Immanuel Kant of how peace and cooperation are possible

d) an explanation by Immanuel Kant of how peace and cooperation are possible

The typical outcome in the Prisoner's Dilemma is that _____. a) neither prisoner confesses, thereby assuring the best outcome for both b) both prisoners confess, thereby assuring the best outcome for both c) one prisoner decides not to confess, believing he can do so later d) both prisoners confess, thereby assuring each is worse off than if they both did not confess

d) both prisoners confess, thereby assuring each is worse off than if they both did not confess

The Persian Gulf War against Iraq is considered an example of ________. a) deterrence b) preventive war c) preemptive war d) collective security

d) collective security

Norms is an example of an explanation derives from the _____ level of analysis. a) individual b) domestic c) interstate d) global

d) global

The Kennedy Administration selected the "________ __________" option in response to the deployment of ballistic missiles in Cuba. a) air attack b) diplomatic pressue c) military invasion d) naval blockade

d) naval blockade

The theory that focuses on the importance of the structure of the international system (distribution of capabilities), rather than on the internal makeup of individual states, is known as ________. a) neoliberal institutionalism b) the English school c) constructivism d) neorealism

d) neorealism

Anarchy in the international system refers to __________. a) complete chaos in which every actor is on its own b) the absence of structure and rules influencing state behavior c) the presence of disruptive states triggering interstate conflicts d) the absence of a central government that can enforce rules

d) the absence a central government that can enforce rules

Globalization is _______. a) not concerned with terrorism b) focused solely on economic development c) the management of territorial conflict d) the central trend in international relations today

d) the central trend in international relations today

The success of collective security depends on _________. a) the presence of a UN Security Council resolution b) a formal treaty that outlines the member commitments c) the aggressor being internationally isolated and therefore easy to oppose d) the level of commitment (e.g., universally imposed sanctions) and agreement on key terms (e.g., aggression) among member states

d) the level of commitment (e.g., universally imposed sanctions) and agreement on key terms (e.g., aggression) among member states

Compellence is defined as a) the threat to punish another actor if it takes a certain negative action. b) a series of negative sanctions of increasing severity. c) a reciprocal process in which states build up military capabilities. d) the use of force to make another actor take a particular action. e) a response in kind to the actions of another international player.

d) the use of force to make another take a particular action.

With respect to warfare, ___________. a) the long-term trend is that there are fewer wars with less people being killed b) the advances in technology lead us to fear annihilation of the world more than destruction of a city c) major wars will continue regardless of trends toward fewer wars d) today's most serious conflicts consist mainly of major battles with millions of deaths

d) today's most serious conflicts consist mainly of major battles with millions of deaths

_______ is a critique of the Rational Actor Model. * a) Altruistic behavior b) Bounded rationality c) Organizational rigidity d) A, B, and C e) A and B

e) A and B

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty attempts to limit proliferation among non-nuclear weapon states by * a) restricting the transfer of technology necessary for proliferation. b) increasing the cost of proliferation. c) sharing information about potential proliferators. d) A and B e) A, B, and C

e) A, B, and C