International Institutions and Norms Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of international institutions?

To sanction non-compliant states

To prescribe behavioral roles and shape expectations (correct)

To enforce international law strictly

To create formal treaty obligations

What do substantive norms primarily define?

The rights of states

The outcomes that should be achieved (correct)

The responsibilities of international organizations

How actors should interact

Which of the following is an example of a procedural norm?

National self-determination

Territorial integrity

Respect for human rights

Reciprocity (correct)

Which statement best describes international law?

It is universally recognized and binding on international actors. Signup and view all the answers

How do international regimes function?

By mixing rules and organizations to guide behavior Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following roles can international institutions prescribe?

Roles for both state and non-state actors Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between formal and informal international organizations?

Formal organizations adhere to established legal frameworks, whereas informal do not. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of international institutions?

They only involve states in decision-making. Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason states might mistrust each other?

States might be trying to exploit each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the relative gains problem?

States focus on how their gains compare to others' gains. Signup and view all the answers

Under anarchy, why is cooperation considered unlikely?

Relative gain becomes more important than absolute gain. Signup and view all the answers

What issue arises when self-interested actors seek to benefit from public goods?

There is an under-provision of public goods. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes common resources compared to public goods?

Common resources are rival and non-excludable. Signup and view all the answers

In Robert D. Putnam's concept of two-level games, which audiences must governments consider?

Domestic audiences and international audiences. Signup and view all the answers

What could make international cooperation difficult according to the concept of two-level games?

Domestic support may require unrealistic demands from other states. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of emphasizing relative gains in international relations?

Increased difficulty in achieving and maintaining cooperation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the process of localization involve?

Merging international rules with local beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What is contestation in the context of international rules?

Challenging the meaning and legitimacy of existing rules Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes norm robustness?

The level of agreement among actors regarding a norm Signup and view all the answers

What effect can contestation have on a norm's legitimacy?

Can both reinforce or undermine its legitimacy Signup and view all the answers

According to the realist approach, why are international rules seen as unreliable?

Because states cannot trust each other due to anarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of formal international governmental organizations (IGOs)?

They hold regular meetings and have a formal budget. Signup and view all the answers

What is one consequence of contestation on international rules?

It helps clarify the meaning of the rules Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding the adoption of international rules?

Adoption can happen even when local practices are significant Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes informal IGOs (FIGOs) from formal IGOs (IIGOs)?

FIGOs have rotating chairs and little or no secretariat. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the delegation of authority in IGOs is true?

FIGOs do not delegate authority to any international organization. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'grafting' imply in the process of localization?

Integrating elements of international rules with local traditions Signup and view all the answers

What are the implications of the autonomy of states in IIGOs compared to FIGOs?

IIGOs offer high autonomy while FIGOs provide none. Signup and view all the answers

In terms of costs, which statement best describes the differences between IIGOs and FIGOs?

IIGOs have low renegotiation costs while FIGOs have low set-up costs. Signup and view all the answers

Which factors lead states to prefer informal IGOs over formal IGOs?

Desire for lower sovereignty and ease of policy changes. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about the preferences of rising states in relation to FIGOs and IIGOs is accurate?

Rising states prefer IIGOs to enhance their power without restrictions. Signup and view all the answers

Which example represents a formal international governmental organization?

UN Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason states generally intend to comply with international law?

International law reflects states' interests Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is cited as a cause of non-compliance with international laws?

Ambiguity in the rules Signup and view all the answers

According to the incentives approach, what influences a state's compliance decision?

The likelihood that non-compliance will be observed Signup and view all the answers

In the domestic compliance game, how does the size of a constituency influence governmental choices?

Better-informed constituencies have more influence Signup and view all the answers

What is one argument regarding the relationship between a state's preferences and compliance?

Higher compliance is likely if rules align with state preferences Signup and view all the answers

How do processes of socialization impact states' compliance with international rules?

They help states adjust behavior to fit their role within international society Signup and view all the answers

What can improve state compliance according to the provided policy implications?

Making rules clearer and enhancing capacity Signup and view all the answers

What role do domestic constituencies play in international rule compliance?

They have varied preferences and degrees of influence Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of 'relative autonomy' suggest about IGOs?

IGOs can act independently but often promote capitalism. Signup and view all the answers

What are the potential agency gains from delegating authority to IGOs?

Increased credibility of commitments. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'agency slack' refer to in the context of IGOs?

The misalignment between IGO actions and member states' preferences. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a method that member states use to control IGOs?

Implementing monitoring and reporting requirements. Signup and view all the answers

What challenge do states face in controlling IGOs effectively?

Dissent and conflicts among member states. Signup and view all the answers

What are 'agency costs' in relation to IGOs?

The negative outcomes when IGOs act against states' interests. Signup and view all the answers

Which organization is noted for promoting debt sustainability and anti-poverty programs?

World Bank Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason for the existence of IGOs according to principal-agent theory?

To allow states to delegate decision-making authority. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

International Cooperation

International cooperation is crucial for addressing global issues.
Cooperation is the adjustment of state behavior to achieve shared objectives.
Cooperation can be necessary in situations with overlapping but not identical interests.
Cooperation is difficult due to transaction costs, security dilemmas, credible commitment issues, relative gains concerns, free-rider problems, and two-level games.
Transaction costs include information, decision-making, sovereignty, and enforcement costs.
The security dilemma arises from fear and insecurity, leading states to increase their defenses, even in a defensive posture, which ultimately fuels further insecurity.
Credible commitment problems occur when actors lack trust in each other's promises, making cooperation difficult.
States focus on relative gains (how their gains compare to others') hindering cooperation.
Free-rider problems arise when actors benefit from public goods without contributing.
Two-level games involve domestic and international actors, complicating negotiations.
Cooperation can be classified as minimal, thin, or thick, reflecting different degrees of state coordination.
Motivations for cooperation include shared threats, shared interests, and shared identities.
Shared threats include external military and internal political threats.
Shared interests include gains from trade and interdependence.
Shared identities include political values, moral values & religion, history, and culture.
Possible models of cooperation include hegemonic, decentralized, and institutionalized models.
Hegemonic cooperation depends on powerful states setting the stage for cooperation.
Decentralized cooperation occurs without a central authority.
Institutionalized cooperation is facilitated by joint institutions.

Dynamics of International Rules

International rules encompass international norms and international law.
Sources of international law include treaty law, customary law, and general principles of law.
Sources of international rules include rational pursuit of joint gains, imposition, persuasion, norm life cycle, localization, and contestation.
Rational pursuit involves states accepting rules to achieve cooperation.
Imposition involves powerful states dictating rules.
Persuasion is the act of convincing actors to accept rules.
International rules evolve through norm emergence, cascade, and internalization.
The localization of rules refers to the adaptation of int'l rules to local contexts.

Design of International Organizations

Intergovernmental organizations (IGOs) are organizations with states as members.
IGOs can serve as forums, instruments, and actors.
IGOs are shaped by power, shared interests, and shared normative aims, and past choices.
Power influences IGO design, with strong states likely to promote structures favorable to their interests.
Shared interests drive the creation of IGOs that facilitate mutually beneficial agreements.
Normative aims shape the design of IGOs, such as embedded liberalism post-WWII and neo-liberalism post-Cold War.
Past choices, such as previously agreed treaties and historical practices, shape an IGO's structure and capacity for change.
IGOs vary in terms of membership, function, formality, and decision-making processes.

Autonomy of Intergovernmental Organizations

IGO autonomy is the ability of an IGO to set its own goals and act independently of member state preferences.
IGOs can be seen as forums, instruments, or actors, all impacting their degree of autonomy.
The 'governor's dilemma' highlights the challenge of balancing control and autonomy in managing international organizations.
Different theories, including realist, Marxist, principal-agent, and organizational theories, offer various perspectives on the autonomy of IGOs.

Additional Topics

Multiple-choice question (MCQ) formats are used in exams to assess student understanding of concepts.
Key topics are covered and important figures are cited.

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Description

Test your understanding of international institutions and the norms that govern them in this comprehensive quiz. Explore key concepts such as procedural norms, international law, and the dynamics of cooperation among states. This quiz is essential for those studying international relations theory and policy.