Podcast
Questions and Answers
What primarily distinguishes a nation-state from other political entities?
What primarily distinguishes a nation-state from other political entities?
- A strong economy and cultural tourism
- A shared language and common religion
- A defined territory and a centralized government (correct)
- A military presence and international treaties
What role does a government play in relation to the state?
What role does a government play in relation to the state?
- It permanently owns the state's territory
- It is responsible for global diplomacy
- It controls the cultural identity of the nation
- It acts as a temporary holder of power (correct)
Which among the following best defines civil society?
Which among the following best defines civil society?
- It refers to the urban communities in a nation-state
- It is synonymous with the military and state governance
- It includes political organizations that operate under government control
- It consists of independent groups of civilians operating externally (correct)
Which of the following statements best describes a ‘nation’?
Which of the following statements best describes a ‘nation’?
In the context of the content, what do structures refer to?
In the context of the content, what do structures refer to?
What is the primary purpose of units in the context provided?
What is the primary purpose of units in the context provided?
What are key characteristics of a state?
What are key characteristics of a state?
How can patterns of behavior be described in the context of a nation or government?
How can patterns of behavior be described in the context of a nation or government?
What characterizes material or hard power?
What characterizes material or hard power?
Which of the following best describes soft power?
Which of the following best describes soft power?
What is meant by high politics?
What is meant by high politics?
Which term describes the dominance of one state over others?
Which term describes the dominance of one state over others?
A geopolitical shift often involves which of the following?
A geopolitical shift often involves which of the following?
What is the essence of the Westphalian system?
What is the essence of the Westphalian system?
What does voluntarism imply in the context of decision making?
What does voluntarism imply in the context of decision making?
What kind of politics does low politics involve?
What kind of politics does low politics involve?
What aspect of policymaking is emphasized by cognitive decision-making?
What aspect of policymaking is emphasized by cognitive decision-making?
Which of the following most accurately describes the influence of societal sources on foreign policy?
Which of the following most accurately describes the influence of societal sources on foreign policy?
How do Marxist approaches to international relations primarily view power dynamics?
How do Marxist approaches to international relations primarily view power dynamics?
What do feminist approaches to international relations primarily critique?
What do feminist approaches to international relations primarily critique?
What is the primary focus of critiques on dominant narratives in foreign policy?
What is the primary focus of critiques on dominant narratives in foreign policy?
What role do cognitive biases play in foreign policy decision-making?
What role do cognitive biases play in foreign policy decision-making?
In what way do domestic social factors influence foreign policy?
In what way do domestic social factors influence foreign policy?
Which aspect is NOT typically considered in cognitive decision-making in foreign policy?
Which aspect is NOT typically considered in cognitive decision-making in foreign policy?
What do structural factors refer to in the context of the structure-agency debate?
What do structural factors refer to in the context of the structure-agency debate?
In the actor-structure theory, what is emphasized as affecting the relationship between agents and structures?
In the actor-structure theory, what is emphasized as affecting the relationship between agents and structures?
What does the domestic peace theory claim about democracies?
What does the domestic peace theory claim about democracies?
What main question lies at the heart of the actor-structure debate?
What main question lies at the heart of the actor-structure debate?
How does Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) generally view the role of agency?
How does Foreign Policy Analysis (FPA) generally view the role of agency?
What is emphasized about micro influences in foreign policy analysis?
What is emphasized about micro influences in foreign policy analysis?
What does the 'billiard ball' view of international relations suggest?
What does the 'billiard ball' view of international relations suggest?
In a zero-sum game, what does one party's gain represent?
In a zero-sum game, what does one party's gain represent?
What does rational actor theory assume about state actors?
What does rational actor theory assume about state actors?
What is the concept of 'homo economicus' primarily associated with?
What is the concept of 'homo economicus' primarily associated with?
What is a defining characteristic of foreign policy in the context of the anarchical system?
What is a defining characteristic of foreign policy in the context of the anarchical system?
What is a significant limitation of viewing states as unified decision-makers?
What is a significant limitation of viewing states as unified decision-makers?
What critique is implied in moving beyond realism in foreign policy understanding?
What critique is implied in moving beyond realism in foreign policy understanding?
Flashcards are hidden until you start studying
Study Notes
Definitions and Key Concepts
- Individuals or collectives may act with conscious intentions, partially strategic in nature.
- Nation: A group sharing common identity, history, and density.
- Nation-state: Composed of two elements:
- Nation: Cultural, linguistic, ethnic, or historical traits leading to collective identity.
- State: Sovereign entity with defined territory, centralized governance, law enforcement authority, and ability to conduct foreign affairs.
Structures and Governance
- Structures: Comprise multiple factors influencing agents' choices and the nature of problems within diverse environments.
- Government: A temporary authority operating within the broader context of the state, which encompasses institutions and territory enabling governance.
Civil Society and Conceptual Units
- Civil Society: Independent civilian groups existing outside state control.
- Units: Conceptual tools to analyze space and time, especially relevant to the 21st century.
Power Dynamics
- Material/Hard Power: Power derived from tangible attributes and resources.
- Ideational/Soft Power: Power based on persuasion, influence, and the appeal of ideas or symbols.
Political Dynamics
- High Politics: Concerns serious state issues like military and economic stability that attract top-level decision-making attention.
- Low Politics: Non-contentious routine exchanges with limited public involvement.
Hegemony and Geopolitical Changes
- Hegemony: Dominance of one state or entity over others, significantly impacting global norms and systems.
- Geopolitical Shift: Major changes in international power dynamics or alliances altering state roles and global interactions.
International Relations Theories
- Westphalian System: Precepts of sovereignty preventing external intervention in a nation's affairs.
- Voluntarism: Theory emphasizing free will in policymaking, critiquing traditional narratives that marginalize postcolonial influences.
- Cognitive Decision-Making: Focuses on how perceptions, beliefs, and biases affect policymakers' responses to international challenges.
Societal Influence on Foreign Policy
- Societal Sources of Foreign Policy: Domestic social factors like public opinion and interest groups shaping foreign policy choices.
Critiques and Alternative Approaches
- Marxist Approaches: Interpret international relations through class struggle and economic exploitation.
- Feminist Approaches: Examine gendered dynamics within the international political landscape.
Foreign Policy Dynamics
- Black Box Concept: Emphasizes the importance of micro-level influences in foreign policy instead of viewing states as unified actors.
- Billiard Ball View: Describes the international system as independent states competing against one another.
- Zero-Sum Game: A scenario where one party’s gain is exactly balanced by another's loss, implying constant resources.
Rational Actor Framework
- Rational Actor Theory: Assumes state actors make decisions to maximize benefits while minimizing costs within an anarchic system.
- Homo Economicus: Concept of individuals as rational economic actors, aiming for maximum utility.
Structure-Agency Debate
- Focuses on the interplay between structural constraints of the international system and human agency.
- Actor-Structure Theory: Examines whether agents shape structures or vice versa, recognizing the interrelatedness of both.
Peace Theory in Democracies
- Domestic Peace Theory: Argues democratic nations are likely to promote peaceful foreign relations, specifically with fellow democracies.
- Actor-General Theory: Envisions a breakdown of the state into multiple actors influencing foreign policy decisions.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
