International Relations: Political Science
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Questions and Answers

Within the framework of the Friend-Enemy dialectic, how do political societies primarily characterize 'foreign' entities?

  • As economic partners, essential for mutual prosperity and growth.
  • As potential allies with shared long-term goals.
  • As cultural groups of interest, valuable in promoting international diversity.
  • As groups with differing objectives and values, inherently viewed as rivals. (correct)

According to the principles outlined, how does the 'Friend-Enemy dialectic' shape the internal dynamics of a political society?

  • It fosters a sense of homogeneity and unity among members, distinguishing them from perceived external threats. (correct)
  • It promotes internal competition among factions, each vying for dominance in shaping the society’s external relations.
  • It encourages open dialogue and acceptance of dissenting viewpoints to strengthen unity.
  • It necessitates strict adherence to international law and norms to mitigate external conflicts.

How does viewing international political relations primarily as 'relations among enemies' influence the perception of peace?

  • It is seen as an inherent and stable condition achieved through diplomacy and mutual understanding.
  • It is regarded as an exceptional and temporary state, contingent on power dynamics and national interests. (correct)
  • It is increasingly prioritized because of globalization, prompting states to cooperate over shared threats.
  • It is thought to be perpetually disrupted by non-state actors (e.g. terrorists, criminals) rather than states.

In the context provided, what fundamental assumption underlies the assertion that the 'state of war' is the natural condition of international relations?

<p>States are continually driven by the impulse to assert their dominance and interests over others. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Given the description of international politics as a 'struggle for power,' how might states strategically approach their foreign policy?

<p>By enhancing their national power and capabilities to exert influence and protect their interests. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately distinguishes between Political Philosophy and Political Science as branches of political knowledge?

<p>Political Philosophy represents the normative approach, concerned with 'what ought to be' using deductive methods, while Political Science is the positive approach, studying 'what is' using inductive and empirical methods. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

How does the 'Command – Obedience dialectic' manifest in the structure of societies, according to the text?

<p>It creates a division where some members have a predisposition to command, while others are inherently predisposed to obey, leading to political differentiation. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

If a researcher aims to study the 'essence of politics in human beings', which aspect of human nature would they primarily focus on?

<p>The conflicting desires to exert authority and to comply with established authority. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates 'political differentiation' as described in the text?

<p>A society divided into distinct groups of rulers and the ruled, each with differing roles and levels of authority. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the provided information, how do 'internal political phenomena' relate to the 'Command–Obedience dialectic'?

<p>They are expressions of the 'Command-Obedience dialectic' within a political society. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Fields of Knowledge

Study distinguished academically by focus and methods.

Political Philosophy

Uses deduction; concerned with "what ought to be".

Political Science

Uses inductive, empirical methods; concerned with "what is".

"Command – Obedience dialectic"

The desire to command and the predisposition to obey within individuals.

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Political Differentiation

Division into rulers/governors and the ruled/governed within a society.

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"We-They" Thinking

The automatic categorization of others into "us" (friends) and "them" (enemies) based on political society membership.

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Friend-Enemy Dialectic

Viewing members of one's own political society as friends, while viewing members of other political societies as enemies.

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International Political Phenomena

Political events and interactions that arise from the Friend-Enemy Dialectic, and the subject matter of international politics.

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Struggle for Power

The idea that the primary dynamic in international relations is states striving to impose their will and interests upon each other.

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International Relations as 'War of Every Man Against Every Man'

The perspective that the natural state of international relations is conflict, with peace being an exception.

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Study Notes

International Relations as a Field of Study

  • Academic fields are distinguished by their focus and methods.
  • Natural sciences study physical phenomena.
  • Social sciences study social phenomena, including social relations and interactions.
  • Fields of knowledge are classified by their methods, even within the same field.
  • Political knowledge has two branches: political philosophy and political science.

Political Philosophy

  • Political philosophy uses the deductive method.
  • It concerns "what ought to be" in political life.
  • Political philosophy represents a "normative" approach to studying politics.

Political Science

  • Political Science employs inductive, empirical, and experimental methods.
  • It concerns "what is" in political reality.
  • It represents a "positive" approach to studying politics.
  • Political Science focuses on the "Essence of politics in human beings".

Command – Obedience Dialectic

  • Humans have two wants: to command, and to obey.
  • The "Command – Obedience dialectic" is the essence of politics in human beings.
  • This dialect is expressed in social life through the division of society into governors and the governed.
  • The primary political phenomenon is "political differentiation" between rulers and ruled.
  • Social phenomena reflecting this dialect are known as "Internal political phenomena".

Friend-Enemy Dialectic

  • Political differentiation also arises between political societies.
  • Members of a political society see themselves as a group of friends.
  • They view other political societies as "enemies".
  • This leads to "we-they" thinking about foreign societies.
  • "We" are peaceful, while "they" are plotting harm.
  • This is the "Friend-Enemy dialectic" on an international level.
  • The "Friend-Enemy dialectic" considers members of the same society as friends, and those of other political societies as enemies.
  • "International political phenomena" reflect the "Friend-Enemy dialectic".

International Relations

  • International relations are perceived as “relations among enemies".
  • War is the natural state of international relations from a political view.
  • Thomas Hobbes wrote of a "war of every man against every man" in "Leviathan".
  • States seek to impose their will and interests on others based on their power.
  • Peace is an exceptional state in international relations.
  • Morgenthau described international politics as a struggle for power in "Politics among Nations".

Key Aspects of International Politics

  • National Interest, Power, and Conflict are relevant elements.
  • National interest is the objective.
  • Power is the means.
  • Conflict is the prevailing condition.
  • Politics involves interactions that cross national boundaries.
  • It includes interactions among international actors (States) intending to impose their will on others.
  • International is a set of relations with conflicting interests.
  • "Cooperation" can occur.
  • International relations alternate between conflict and harmony.
  • Nations safeguard their interests by influencing others.
  • Focus on why it's considered a struggle for power.

Power and International Politics

  • "Power" in social sciences is "man's control over the minds and actions of other men".
  • Nations pursue their interests through foreign policy.
  • Politics between nations is an interaction of foreign policies.
  • A distinction should be made between "International" and "National" politics.
  • International politics differs due to global environments.
  • National politics operates under political authority, but the global environment lacks authority.
  • The global environment is an "International Community", not a "Society", due to absence of political authority.
  • Violence is prohibited by law in domestic politics, yet allowed in international politics.
  • National politics exhibits order, regularity, and consistency, however, it is less than in international politics.
  • In the global system, the continued existence of actors (sovereign States) is the main goal, as they are under threat.

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Explore the academic fields, distinguishing focuses and methodologies. Political science uses inductive methods and focuses on "what is" in political reality, representing a positive approach. Humans have two wants: to command, and to obey.

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