International Relations Concepts Quiz

A theory that a country's resources influence its trade patterns. For example, a country with lots of oil is likely to export oil.

An economic theory suggesting that trade benefits owners of a country's abundant resources, while harming owners of scarce resources.

Government policies restricting trade through tariffs, quotas, or subsidies to protect domestic industries.

Exchange rates fixed to another currency or basket of currencies, providing stability but limiting control over monetary policy.

Exchange rates determined by supply and demand forces, offering greater monetary flexibility but potential volatility.

A country cannot simultaneously maintain a fixed exchange rate, free capital mobility, and independent monetary policy.

An economic theory where long-term exchange rates adjust to create equal prices for identical goods in different countries.

A strategy in repeated interactions where a party initially cooperates and then mimics the other party's actions in subsequent rounds. It encourages cooperation by rewarding it and punishing defection, leading to stable, mutually beneficial outcomes.

A process of negotiating over resources or policies, with each party making concessions based on the expected utility of the outcome. It often involves trade-offs and requires both sides to find an acceptable deal.

A good or service where the benefits of its use cannot be excluded to anyone, even those who don't contribute to its provision. This creates the free-rider problem where individuals or states may avoid the costs of action while still benefiting.

The challenges faced when coordinating action among different actors to achieve a common goal. Barriers include differing national interests, domestic political constraints, the free-rider problem, and the high costs of action.

A theory that asserts countries will export goods that utilize their abundant and cheap factors of production. Labor-rich countries export labor-intensive goods, while capital-rich countries export capital-intensive goods.

The concept of free trade, where countries specialize based on comparative advantage and exchange goods and services without barriers. It improves overall efficiency but can also lead to job losses in industries that cannot compete with foreign goods.

The idea that a leader's international negotiations are shaped by domestic political constraints. For example, a leader might need to get domestic approval for international agreements, which limits their flexibility in bargaining with other countries.

States often prefer war over potentially beneficial deals due to incomplete information, misperceptions, and commitment problems. Even if peace would benefit both sides, the inability to negotiate a fair deal can lead to conflict.

States may fear that the other side will break agreements and act aggressively after having secured a strategic advantage. This fear can lead to conflict, especially in disputes over territory.

States with unequal knowledge about each other's military strength or resolve might misjudge their chances of success. This can result in war, as one side might see an opportunity that doesn't actually exist.

An attack launched by a state to prevent an imminent threat from another state. This is often a preventative measure to eliminate a potential future danger.

A war initiated by a rising power seeking to challenge a declining state. This is often driven by power dynamics and ambition.

The collective action problem in the context of climate change refers to the difficulty in coordinating global action to address the issue. Individual countries or people might see their actions as having negligible impact, leading to free-riding and inaction.

Adaptation refers to adjusting to the effects of climate change, like building flood defenses, while mitigation focuses on reducing the causes of climate change, for example, reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Both approaches are crucial, but adaptation often gets more attention in the short term.

Difficult to know who is responsible for a cyber attack. This leads to confusion and potential overreactions.

Cyber activities can be misinterpreted. What appears hostile may just be reconnaissance, leading to mistrust.

Cyberattacks are cheap. This can lead to more nations developing offensive cyber capabilities, increasing the risk of conflict.

Wars are inherently inefficient, resulting in loss of lives, resources, and stability.

States may intentionally portray themselves as stronger or more committed than they are. This lack of transparency can lead to miscalculations and conflict.

Issues like territory with deep religious or cultural significance are difficult to negotiate and can lead to conflict.

States make strong commitments to make their threats more believable. Example: Publicly pledging military action to deter a potential aggressor. This can reduce the likelihood of conflict.

States may invest significant resources like deploying troops or building military bases to signal their commitment to follow through on threats.

States deliberately heighten tensions, creating risks of conflict, to demonstrate their resolve. This can push both sides to the brink of war.

Democratic leaders face consequences for not following through on their commitments due to transparent systems, scrutiny by the media, and accountability to their citizens.

A situation where a state's actions to improve its security make other states feel less safe, leading to a cycle of mistrust and potentially conflict.

In democracies, institutions like checks and balances can limit leaders' ability to reverse their commitments easily because they require significant political support.

Autocratic leaders have lower audience costs due to limited press freedom and lack of competitive elections, making them less accountable for their actions.

Leaders in democracies are often seen as more capable of tying their hands because their commitments are public and face significant scrutiny, increasing the cost of backing down.

Autocratic leaders may lack the effective tools to signal their resolve convincingly. Their ability to tie their hands may be weaker than that of democratic leaders.

It describes a situation where a country cannot achieve all three: exchange rate stability, independent monetary policy, and free capital movement. To prioritize one, a country must compromise on another.

Capital controls restrict the movement of money into and out of a country. These restrictions are used to address economic or political concerns.

High capital mobility means investors can easily move their money across borders. This can make it more difficult for a country to set its own interest rates.

Democracies tend to favor floating exchange rates, which allow them to adjust their monetary policy (e.g., interest rates) to respond to domestic needs.

Autocracies often prefer fixed exchange rates, which signal stability and attract investors. This approach can help maintain control.

Regime type influences the level of trust and credibility associated with a chosen exchange rate system.

China prioritizes exchange rate stability and policy control over free capital flow. This limits foreign investment, but gives China control over its currency.

The US allows its exchange rate to float, giving it flexibility to use monetary policy to address domestic challenges.