International Relations Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is a significant effect of transparency in governance?

It increases the likelihood of conflict.

It decreases public trust.

It reduces informational asymmetries. (correct)

It limits public accountability.

What does the audience costs theory suggest about leaders' statements?

They can be seen as a commitment that must be honored. (correct)

They carry no risks in terms of public perception.

They are usually ignored by the public.

They are irrelevant to diplomatic negotiations.

Why do democracies tend not to engage in conflicts with one another?

They can communicate their resolve effectively. (correct)

They fear high audience costs.

They lack communication mechanisms.

They have a common enemy.

Which factor may contribute to variations among authoritarian regimes?

Leadership background and constraints. Signup and view all the answers

What might be a consequence of leaders bluffing according to the audience costs theory?

Reduced public trust in leaders. Signup and view all the answers

Who are typically considered the 'voters' in authoritarian regimes?

Regime insiders. Signup and view all the answers

What is often a risk for democratic leaders when issuing threats?

Public disagreement with the threats. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best categorizes a personalist leader?

Leaders who are primarily military-oriented and unconstrained. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of International Relations Theory?

To explain conflict and cooperation in an anarchic system Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to the national interests that can be either consistent or inconsistent?

Interests Signup and view all the answers

According to Hans Morgenthau, what is the significance of intentions in world politics?

Intentions don’t matter much in world politics Signup and view all the answers

What event is associated with the establishment of the concept of territorial sovereignty?

1648 Peace of Westphalia Signup and view all the answers

What principle was established by the Peace of Westphalia to prevent inter-state aggression?

Balance of power Signup and view all the answers

Which actors have been primarily focused on in international relations since the end of the Cold War?

Non-state actors Signup and view all the answers

What are institutions in the context of International Relations?

Sets of rules thought to facilitate cooperation Signup and view all the answers

What is the reason states are viewed as special compared to other actors in International Relations?

Sovereignty Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of public goods, as described in the content?

Everyone can enjoy them regardless of their contributions. Signup and view all the answers

What problem arises when individuals believe they are not pivotal in a group decision, such as voting?

Free rider problem. Signup and view all the answers

What type of incentive might encourage participation in collective action?

Coercion. Signup and view all the answers

What difference is suggested by the size of a group in relation to individual contributions?

Smaller groups have more noticeable contributions. Signup and view all the answers

Which version of the democratic peace theory lacks empirical support?

Monadic version. Signup and view all the answers

What best describes why democracies avoid fighting each other?

Common democratic norms of conflict resolution. Signup and view all the answers

How might democratic institutions influence bargaining processes?

Through increased transparency and communication. Signup and view all the answers

Why might democracies engage in conflicts with autocracies?

Democratic norms only apply to like-minded states. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of regime is more likely to consider the use of force as appropriate or beneficial?

Military regimes Signup and view all the answers

In the context of alliances, what is generally true about public agreements?

They provide a deterrent effect against potential aggressors. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose of alliances in international relations?

To allow weaker states to balance against stronger ones. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a formal alliance?

NATO Signup and view all the answers

What can increase the credibility of alliances between states?

Costly commitments and alignment of interests. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about alliances is generally true?

Approximately 75% of alliance commitments are honored. Signup and view all the answers

What assumption is often made regarding alliances and their effectiveness?

All allies will definitely join a war. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of alliance is characterized by the commitment to join a fight?

Offensive alliance Signup and view all the answers

What are some consequences of ending a conflict as mentioned in the content?

2500 battle deaths Signup and view all the answers

What is primarily identified as a driver of civil wars?

Political grievances Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the trend in types of wars post-Cold War?

Increased intrastate conflicts, fewer interstate wars Signup and view all the answers

What role does external intervention play in civil wars according to the content?

It often leads to the formation of proxy wars Signup and view all the answers

How does economic interconnectedness relate to civil wars?

It can draw in trading partners into the conflict Signup and view all the answers

Which factor is NOT stated as a cause of civil wars in the content?

Technological domination Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'transnational territorial claims' refer to in the context of civil wars?

Rebel groups claiming land across borders Signup and view all the answers

What could be the potential outcome of more ambitious peacekeeping operations (PKO) deployments?

Less conflict and a reduction in battle deaths Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Comparative Relations vs. International Relations

International Relations Theory: explains conflict and cooperation in a system without a central authority.
Focus can be on diplomatic history, quantitative data, or experiential insights.

Interest, Interactions and Institutions

Interest: States have national interests that may align or clash.
Interactions: World politics involves strategic decision-making.
Institutions: Sets of rules that help facilitate cooperation.
Hans Morgenthau believed that intentions are unimportant in world politics.

Key Actors in International Relations

States: Considered the primary actors.
Non-State Actors: Increasingly important after the Cold War.
International Organizations (IOs): Reliant on state funding.
Sovereignty: Defines states as unique entities, allowing them to control their territories.

Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Established the concept of territorial sovereignty within European nations.
Laid the groundwork for modern international relations.
Introduced the principle of maintaining a balance of power to prevent inter-state warfare.
Sovereignty allows states to control internal matters like taxation and conscription.

Free Rider Problem

Challenges cooperation when everyone benefits from a public good, regardless of individual contributions.
Individuals may be tempted to ‘free ride’ and avoid contributing.
Examples include national security and clean air.

Dealing with Collective Action

Coercion: Using force to incentivize participation.
Selective Incentives: Offering private goods to reward contributions.
Group size influences dynamics, with peer effects and costs playing a role.

Democratic Peace Theory

Monadic version: Democracies are generally more peaceful.
Dyadic version: Democracies do not go to war with each other.
Monadic version lacks empirical support.
Dyadic version is supported by evidence.

Explanations for Democratic Peace

Normative explanations: Democratic norms of conflict resolution are applied to international relations.
Institutional explanations: Democratic institutions facilitate transparency and accountability in decision-making.

Audience Cost Theory

Leaders face costs for failing to follow through on threats or commitments.
These costs are derived from potential negative repercussions on their public standing.
This theory suggests that democracies demonstrate greater resolve in their commitments.

Authoritarian Politics and Audience Costs

Authoritarian leaders are accountable to different audiences, including regime insiders.
Personalist dictators may not be as accountable as leaders in non-personalist regimes.
Civilian elites in autocracies are sensitive to costs of conflict, while military regimes may view them as beneficial.

Authoritarian Regimes and Conflicts

Military regimes and personalist regimes are more prone to conflict than machine regimes.
Junta, Boss, Strongman vs. Machine regimes are less conflictual.
Audience cost theory offers limited explanatory power in this context.

Alliances: What are they for?

Balance of Power: Weaker states can ally to counter stronger ones.
Deterrence: Strong states can pledge to defend weaker allies, making deterrence more credible.
Resource Pooling: Combining resources and capabilities for a collective defense.
Spoils of War: Joining alliances to benefit from the spoils of conflict.

Alliances and the Bargaining Range

Assumptions: Efficient collaboration and credible allies.
Credibility: The effectiveness of alliances depends on the commitment of allies.
Costly Commitments: States make sacrifices, such as economic interdependence, to increase the credibility of their alliances.
Consequences of Conflict: Loss of life, refugees, and potential increase in conflicts with the absence of peacekeepers.

Civil War and International Relations

Civil wars: Armed conflicts within a state exceeding a minimum threshold of severity.
Post-Cold War: While interstate war declined, intra-state conflict, including civil wars, has increased significantly.

Civil War and World Politics

Economic interconnectedness: Civil wars impact trading partners.
Transnational rebel groups: Operate across borders, seeking foreign support.
Bargaining framework applies to civil war: Governments vs. sub-state rebel groups.

Causes of Civil Wars

Political grievances: Discrimination, territorial disputes, resource competition, secessionist aspirations.

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Description

Explore the fundamental concepts of International Relations, including the dynamics of interest, interactions, and institutions among states and non-state actors. This quiz delves into the theories and historical milestones, like the Peace of Westphalia, that shape our understanding of world politics.