International Relations Theories Class 11
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Questions and Answers

What is a key belief of critical theories in International Relations?

  • Knowledge in social sciences can be objective.
  • Scientific knowledge can be completely neutral.
  • All knowledge is influenced by cultural and ideological biases. (correct)
  • Analysts should focus solely on positive outcomes.
  • Which of the following figures is associated with the advocacy of ecocentrism?

  • Barry Buzan
  • John Doe
  • Ann Tickner
  • Robyn Eckersley (correct)
  • What aspect does post-positivism challenge in the study of International Relations?

  • The role of non-state actors.
  • The importance of feminist perspectives.
  • The applicability of ecological theories.
  • The objectivity of scientific knowledge. (correct)
  • Which of the following is a trend of environmental ethics contrasting with ecocentrism?

    <p>Anthropocentrism (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which movement seeks to grant more rights to nature?

    <p>Earth First! (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do green democrats believe enhances liberal democracy?

    <p>The modern environmental movement (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which perspective argues that scholars may never fully understand social relations?

    <p>Radical approaches (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized by critical approaches in the study of International Relations?

    <p>The need to address neglected issues (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a primary goal of green democrats?

    <p>To defend supplementary rights such as environmental rights. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Bary Buzan critique about traditional theories in International Relations?

    <p>They promote states as the only legitimate security agents. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What concept is central to the Copenhagen School's approach to security?

    <p>Human security. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to the content, what do radical approaches like post-modernism argue?

    <p>Scholars influence the outcomes of international relations. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a new legal principle proposed by green democrats?

    <p>The precautionary principle. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does Bary Buzan mean by 'insecurity politics'?

    <p>The idea that states sometimes create their own security problems. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a criticism of state-centric security approaches as noted in the content?

    <p>They fail to address non-state actors. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the Aarhus Convention (1998) promote?

    <p>Transboundary environmental procedural rights. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary belief of positivist methodology in International Relations?

    <p>Objective knowledge can be achieved through empirical research. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How does post-positivist methodology differ from positivist methodology?

    <p>Post-positivism acknowledges the uniqueness of human beings. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do critical theorists reject about positivism?

    <p>The notion of value-free social science. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key focus of feminist approaches in International Relations?

    <p>Analyzing the position of women within a gender hierarchy. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of critical theory?

    <p>Promoting liberation from oppressive structures. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement reflects a core assumption of post-positivism?

    <p>Humans construct and interpret their own realities. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what way is critical theory similar to idealism?

    <p>Both advocate for progressive social change. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What main aspects does feminist theory critique within International Relations?

    <p>The gendered nature of power dynamics. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Ecocentrism

    A philosophical approach that gives equal or even greater value to the natural world as compared to human interests.

    Post-positivism

    A perspective that acknowledges the inherent biases and limitations in all knowledge, including that of international relations.

    Human Security

    A concept that expands the traditional notion of security to encompass the well-being of individuals, regardless of their national identity, including their protection from threats like poverty, disease, and environmental degradation.

    Feminism in International Relations

    A critical approach within International Relations that examines how gender roles, norms, and power structures influence international relations.

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    Ecocentrism

    A branch of environmental ethics that prioritizes the well-being of the natural world over human interests, often advocating for greater rights for nature.

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    Green Democracy

    A set of political theories that advocate for democratic reforms to address environmental challenges, emphasizing the role of citizens in shaping environmental policies and governance.

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    Critical Theories of International Relations

    A concept that challenges the objectivity of knowledge, arguing that all knowledge is influenced by social, cultural, and political factors.

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    Critical Approaches

    A theoretical approach that emphasizes the significance of context, perspective, and power dynamics in understanding international relations.

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    Positivist Methodology

    A methodology in International Relations that uses a scientific approach to study social and political phenomena. It aims to find objective knowledge by testing empirical propositions.

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    Post-positivist Methodology

    A methodology in International Relations that acknowledges the distinctive human factor in shaping the world. It emphasizes the subjective interpretation of reality and the importance of social construction.

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    Critical Theory in IR

    An approach to International Relations influenced by Marxist thought. It critiques the assumptions of positivism and aims to uncover and dismantle power structures that sustain inequality.

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    Feminism in IR

    A post-positivist approach that analyzes the impact of gender and its role in shaping international politics and economics.

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    Positivism

    A scientific method that focuses on observing and analyzing facts to understand social phenomena.

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    Critical Theory

    A critical approach to IR that challenges existing power structures and seeks to create a more just and equitable world.

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    Feminist IR

    A field of study in IR that examines the role of gender in international politics and economics, highlighting the disparities and inequalities.

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    Precautionary Principle

    The idea that in the face of potential environmental harm, the burden of proof lies with the activity's proponents, not the opponents. It prioritizes taking preemptive action to prevent harm, even without absolute scientific certainty.

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    Copenhagen School of International Relations

    A school of thought in International Relations that emphasizes the social construction of security threats and the role of identity in shaping international relations.

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    Post-modernism in International Relations

    A theoretical approach that critiques existing theories and methods in International Relations, arguing that they often perpetuate existing power structures. It seeks to deconstruct traditional assumptions and expose hidden biases.

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    Reification of the State

    The process of treating abstract ideas, like the state, as if they were concrete entities. In security studies, it refers to the tendency to view states as the sole legitimate security actors.

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    Realism

    A branch of International Relations focused on the role of states in international relations, prioritizing national interests and power dynamics. It often emphasizes the importance of military power and balance of power.

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    Liberalism

    A branch of International Relations that emphasizes the role of cooperation, international institutions, and the spread of democracy in promoting peace and stability.

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    Study Notes

    International Relations Theories

    • Class 11: Examines whether international relations theory is impartial.
    • Key Figures: Barry Buzan, Ann Tickner, Robyn Eckersley
    • Concepts: Ecocentrism, Post-positivism, Human Security, Feminism in international relations
    • Preamble:
      • Introduces ecocentrism and feminism.
      • Presents a critical understanding of security.
    • Critical Approaches:
      • Argue that knowledge in social sciences is never truly neutral: influenced by culture, philosophy, ethics, and ideology.
      • Contrast this with positivist approaches, which aim for objective study.
      • Criticize existing international relations theory for overlooking important issues. Radical approaches, like postmodernism, argue that knowledge is impossible to obtain about social relations because scholars are part of the social world they are studying.
    • Ecocentrism:
      • A part of environmental ethics.
      • Other trends include anthropocentrism.
      • Supported by non-state actors who advocate for more rights for nature (e.g. Earth First!, Voluntary Human Extinction Program).
      • Increasingly considered by states as a solution to ecological crises.
    • Feminism in IR:
      • Underscores the underrepresentation of women in international relations.
      • Focuses on the importance of a gender perspective.
      • Aims to highlight the inferior position of women in international relations.
    • Human Security:
      • A new definition of security focused on individuals instead of states (proposed by Buzan, Wæver and de Wilde)
      • Recognizes the social aspect of security.
    • Applying Critical Theory in International Relations:
      • Critiques posit that existing theories are flawed because they ignore the social aspects of global issues.

    Feminist Perspectives in International Relations

    • Few Women: The presence of women in the field of International Relations is limited.
    • Compulsory Reading: Students are advised to consult relevant readings for understanding feminist interpretations.
    • State-centric Understanding: Existing theories frequently overemphasize the role of states as security actors in international relations, promoting the idea that states are primary agents of security. This perspective is challenged.
    • Copenhagen School: Buzan (Copenhagen school) criticizes Realist and Liberal theories for oversimplifying the role of states in security. He argues that states perpetuate, rather than resolve, insecurity in the world.

    Positivist Methodology

    • Scientific Approach: Positivist methodology in International Relations borrows from behavioralism and aims for a scientific approach to understanding the social and political world.
    • Objective Knowledge: Holds that objective knowledge of the social and political world is possible through careful testing of empirical propositions.
    • Methodology in IR: Emphasizes careful testing of empirical theories of international relations, similar to other scientific endeavors.

    Post-Positivist Methodology

    • Human Beings: Post-positivism acknowledges the distinctiveness of human beings in international relations.
    • Shared Reality: Human beings interact and construct the world in which they live.
    • Social Science and Natural Science: Post-positivism distinguishes social science from natural science.

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    Description

    This quiz explores the diverse theories and critical approaches in International Relations, emphasizing ecocentrism, feminism, and the role of knowledge in social sciences. Students will engage with key figures and concepts that challenge traditional views and seek a deeper understanding of security. Prepare to reflect on the implications of these theories in contemporary international relations.

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