International Relations: Idealism and Liberalism

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Questions and Answers

Which office is primarily concerned with human rights issues?

OCHA Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

UNODA Office for Disarmament Affairs

UNOG United Nations Office at Geneva

OHCHR Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (correct)

What entity does the IAEA report to?

General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council

Human Rights Council and the Security Council

Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the GA

Security Council and the General Assembly (correct)

Which department focuses on economic and social issues within the UN?

OIOS Office of Internal Oversight Services

DESA Department of Economic and Social Affairs (correct)

DGACM Department for General Assembly

DFS Department of Field Support

Which of the following offices does not have a reporting obligation to the General Assembly?

WTO Signup and view all the answers

Which office reports primarily to the General Assembly?

UNRWA Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a theory in understanding phenomena?

To provide a logical explanation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents the aspect of republican liberalism?

Promotion of democracy Signup and view all the answers

What significant event greatly influenced the establishment of the first Department of International Politics in 1919?

The formation of the League of Nations Signup and view all the answers

Which principle is not emphasized within institutional liberalism?

Military alliances Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following components is part of the structure of the League of Nations?

General Assembly Signup and view all the answers

How does economic liberalism approach international relations?

Through organized free trade Signup and view all the answers

What was a key purpose of Alfred Zimmern's position at the University College of Wales?

To research problems related to the League of Nations Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered a component of the United Nations system?

International Atomic Energy Agency Signup and view all the answers

What ideology emphasizes the role of democracy and education in international relations?

Wilsonian Idealism Signup and view all the answers

Which concept highlights optimism regarding the potential for peace in international relations?

Institutional Liberalism Signup and view all the answers

What was a major outcome of World War I that influenced international politics?

Initiation of the League of Nations Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'self-determination' refer to in the context of Wilsonism?

The right of people to choose their own governance Signup and view all the answers

Which notion is rejected by idealist theories in favor of peace and cooperation?

Realpolitik Signup and view all the answers

Who was the inaugural holder of the Woodrow Wilson Chair of International Politics?

Alfred Zimmern Signup and view all the answers

What is a central claim of the Democratic Peace Theory?

Liberal democracies do not engage in war with each other. Signup and view all the answers

How does the enlargement doctrine relate to democratic peace?

Exporting democracy is seen as a means to achieve peace. Signup and view all the answers

What perspective does Andrew Moravcsik take regarding national interest?

There is no notion of national interest in modern politics. Signup and view all the answers

What role do cultural and normative explanations play in understanding liberal democracies and peace?

They suggest cultural values contribute to peace among democracies. Signup and view all the answers

In what way can the Antarctic treaty system be viewed through the lens of idealism/liberalism?

It exemplifies cooperation and shared governance of resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is the status of the Trusteeship Council as of November 1, 1994?

It was dissolved after the last trust territory became independent. Signup and view all the answers

Which office is responsible for the special advisement on Africa?

OSAA Office of the Special Adviser on Africa Signup and view all the answers

What kind of organizations are specialized agencies in relation to the United Nations?

They function independently but coordinate with the UN. Signup and view all the answers

What does the abbreviation 'DPI' stand for in the context provided?

Department of Public Information Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT mentioned as part of the UN's operations regarding least developed countries and small island states?

Trusteeship Council Signup and view all the answers

What does the UNON stand for?

United Nations Office at Nairobi Signup and view all the answers

What was the last United Nations Trust Territory before the Trusteeship Council suspended operation?

Palau Signup and view all the answers

Which entity operates at the intergovernmental level related to the UN's structure?

ECOSOC Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Course Information

Course Title: International Relations
Course Code: BSPOL 1312
Academic Year: 2024/2025
Class: 2 - Idealism/Liberalism
Lecturer: Dr. Valentina Brogna (replacing Prof. Amandine Orsini)

What is a Theory?

A theory is a system of constructs (concepts) and propositions (relationships between those constructs).
It presents a logical, systematic, and coherent explanation of a phenomenon of interest within specific assumptions and boundary conditions.
Example cited: Bacharach 1989, cited in Bhattacherjee 2012, 25.

Theory Importance

Good theories help to discern the key factors in an event, separating signal from noise.
Theories structure observations, preventing overwhelming detail.
Effective observation relies on sifting through irrelevant information.
Theories provide valuable perspectives by simplifying complex events.

International Relations Debates

Chart shows different eras (1920s, 1940s, 1950s, 1970s, 1980s, 1990s) of international relations with associated theories like Realism, Idealism, Historicism, Liberalism, Neo-liberalism, and other perspectives.

World War I

Slides depict the period around World War I.
The content connects past historical events to present-day political thought and theories.

Idealism

A significant historical figure, Alfred Zimmern (1879-1957), is referenced.
Idealism is associated with the League of Nations and the principles of:
- general association of nations
- disarmament
- public diplomacy
- free trade
- self-determination
This concept has roots stretching back to the Treaty on War and Peace (1625) as well as ideas by Hugo Grotius (1583-1645).

Wilsonism

Developed by Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924).
Key Components include institutional liberalism, republican liberalism, and economic liberalism.

Institutional Liberalism

Emphasizes institutionalised dialogue and agreements.
Features figures like Hugo Grotius (1583-1645) & John Locke (1632-1704).

Republican Liberalism

Idealism is closely linked to democracy and education as core tenets.
Emphasizes the role of democratic states in creating peace.

Economic Liberalism

Emphasizes the importance of organized free trade, as exemplified by figures like Montesquieu (1689-1755).

The League of Nations

Focused on international cooperation after World War I.
Slides show information on the League of Nations structure and its activities during the 1920s.

United Nations Commission

Information on committees, member states, and other pertinent details from the League of Nations' successor are covered.

International Organisations (Examples)

UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)
International Labour Organization (ILO)
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
International Telecommunications Union (ITU)

Revisits to Liberalism

The content revisits republican liberalism, exploring democratic peace theory, new liberalism's focus on grouped interests, and other related topics.

Idealism/Utopianism

Focuses on the idea(l) of peace, institutions, and advice from philosophers.

Liberalism

Focuses on war and peace, with a focus on peace.
Discusses the concept of anarchy and its relation to civil societies and the role of states.

Readings

Important texts are referenced to support the topic of idealism and liberalism.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the theories of idealism and liberalism in international relations through this quiz. Engage with the core concepts and the importance of theoretical frameworks in discerning key factors in global events. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of International Relations.