IR test one

power that is tangible

hard power. the capability to coerce- military power

· What is IR and what are the actors in the international system?

how states communicates with each other. this can happen thru trade, organizations, and immigration. etc (the interaction of actors in international politics, including state and nonstate actors.) it is a struggle for power

▪ Assumptions of a realist is that

human nature is selfish States are the main actor and they are in self-interested Anarchy reigns supreme

realists see IR as a zero-sum game

if you are winning it must be bc im losing.

How to solve collective action problems

dominance, reciprocity, and identity.

levels of analysis: IV

global level. North-south gap, global telecommunications, info revolution.

a neorealist idea of managing anarchy

the distribution of power - helps prevent war, help explain behavior on the int system

levels of analysis: III

the individual level. great and crazy leaders, learning, citizen participation

central idea of realism

the root of war is human nature. humans are self serving and the powerful will always take advantage of the weak.

Structural Realism (Neorealism) and Main Assumptions

▪ Neorealism deals with organizing power distribution in the sense of polarity. ▪ Neorealism deals with a lack of world government that can enforce agreements and insure countries' security

Classical Realism definition

They see power as the main factor in IR, it will define your positions in IR

Complex Interdependence Theory

a result of growing ties , int actors become mutually dependent , now vulnerable to each others actions.

1. The lack of a central authority in the international system:

a. Anarchy

1. This theory suggests that national security is enhanced when military capability is distributed so that no one state is strong enough to dominate all others:

a. Balance of power theory

1. Country A starts invading resource rich regions of the world and quickly becomes the most dominant economic and military power in the world. Instead of challenging Country A's dominance, other countries decide to join with it in return for generous foreign aid and security guarantees. What approach have these countries pursued in response to Country A's rising power?

a. Bandwagoning

1. Hegemonic stability theory and balance of power theory have this in common:

a. Both focus on the distribution of power in the international system

1. A situation which a group of actors have a common interest but fail to collaborate due to their individual self-interests:

a. Collective action problem

1. Send me more military aid, or else I will open my borders and send a huge wave of migrants and refugees into your country" is an example of:

a. Compellence

what strategies do are used to stop rising powers?

buck passing: let another state pay the cost of balancing and you get the benefit. bandwagoning: join the rising power Balancing: Creating an alliance and stop one country from being too powerful

Security Dilemma (Realism)

A situation in which actions by a state intended to heighten its security, such as increasing its military strength or making alliances, can lead other states to respond with similar measures, producing increased tensions that create conflict, even when no side really desires it. This can lead to an arms race.

balance of power: two types

1. internal balance - develop your own military and economic power. 2. external balancing- ally w/ other powers against a rising power that could destabilize the system

Transnationalism

Connections between states and institutions help achieve/maintain peace.

1. Suppose that the world's leaders decided that there was nothing inevitable about conflict, distrust, and selfishness resulting from anarchy, and they succeeded in creating a new set of norms that led countries to put others' interests ahead of their own. This would be a clear support for:

a. Constructivism

1. Who would say "Anarchy is what states make of it"?

a. Constructivists

1. The theory that argues democracies do not go to war with other democracies:

a. Democratic Peace Theory

1. Rather than defending itself, a state may convince a potential attacker that the cost of the attack will be higher than any expected benefits, and therefore warfare is just not worth it:

a. Deterrence

1. Total population, urban population, iron and steel production, military expenditures, military personnel, all show a state's:

a. Hard power

1. Prisoner's dilemma shows that cooperation between states is almost impossible due to uncertainty and distrust. What can provide an escape route to the prisoner's dilemma?

a. Hegemon (dominance) b. Reciprocity (clear punishment for defection) c. Institutions (information rich environment)

1. The common assumption that unites Realists and Institutionalist theories:

a. IR is anarchic b. States are unitary actors

1. Suppose Country A attacked the resource rich Sapphire Island and you explained this action as follows: "Country A's president perceived a threat from Country B and calculated that if he didn't move now to take the island he would not have the resources to protect his country." This explanation focuses on which level of analysis?

a. Individual level

1. Here are the core assumptions of this IR paradigm: 1) Cooperation between states is possible despite conditions of anarchy, 2) Absolute gains are more important than relative gains, 3) Non-state actors play an effective role in IR:

a. Liberalism

1. A powerful country providing protection to other states in exchange for their cooperation:

a. Military influence, hard power

1. Student A argues that conflicts in the world are caused by the lack of a world government that can enforce agreements and insure countries' security. Student B disagrees, arguing that these conflicts are primarily due to the inherently selfish and power-hungry inclinations of the world leaders. These views reflect which two perspectives on international relations?

a. Neorealism (structural realists) b. Classical realism

1. The ability to influence an outcome that would not have otherwise occurred:

a. Power

1. After conquering Country B and killing many civilians, Country A argues that while these results were regrettable, the morality of this invasion was not a consideration. It was focusing solely on its economic interests, which made such an attack necessary. This attitude is guided by:

a. Realism

1. Of the more prominent theoretical approaches, this one is more concerned with hard power:

a. Realism

1. In an anarchic international system, states face a difficult choice between arming, which risks provoking a response from others, and not arming, which risks remaining vulnerable:

a. Security dilemma

1. The right of states to self-government, with political leaders determining the rules, laws, and processes within their territories with the recognition of other states:

a. Sovereignty

A country joins the Paris Climate Agreement, and their president explains this decision as follows: "The environmentalists in my country forced me to join the Paris Climate Agreement because they were striking, criticizing the lack of government regulations of industry, and demanding more environmentally friendly policies." This explanation focuses on which level of analysis?

a. State level

Robert Putnam's two-level games include

a. System level (foreign policy) b. State level (domestic policy)

1. The assumption that "Each dollar that America spends buying goods from China is a dollar that the country loses to China.":

a. Zero-sum game

classical realism assumptions 1

it is an archaic system- it is a self help world, the primary concern is survival.

knowledge is power

leverage, public opinion.

power is power

military, weapons, political, physical.

power distribution theories. all these determine state behavior.

multipolar system-less stable? equal power distribution. bipolar system- stable, cold war. unipolar system (hegemony) more stable? power transition theories- wars occur we=hen rising power challenges most powerful state in the system.

what does it mean when There is no central authority

o Neo-realist: Will lead to war o Neo-liberal: Information will lead to less war o Liberal: Interdependence will help us achieve peace

international powers are for the weak bc you should have enough power to protect your self

realist

how much power do u need to feel safe?

realist: yes

realism opinion on power

relative power matters much more than absolute power.

knowledge that is intangible

soft power.ability to get other states to want what you want without coercion or payment

State and state sovereignty

state - political entity with sovereignty over a certain territory sovereignty - ability of a state to have full control and autonomy within its territory and with recognition at the national level, domestic legitimacy, and mutual recognition

levels of analysis: II

state domestic level. nationalism, ethnic, gender, type of government, gender, economic sectors

classical realism assumptions 2

states are central actors- so they are able to control other actors if they want to.

classical realism assumptions 4

states are rational actors - they maximize unity and achieve national interest.

classical realism assumptions 3

states are unitary self serving actors

levels of analysis: I

system level. power balance. wars treaties IGOs, diplomacy.