Liberalism in International Relations
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Questions and Answers

What underlying belief does liberalism in international relations promote?

  • Cooperation between states is unlikely.
  • Conflict can be resolved peacefully. (correct)
  • Human beings are inherently aggressive.
  • War is an inevitable part of politics.

    • Which philosopher significantly contributed to the development of liberalism's ideas in the late eighteenth century?

  • Immanuel Kant (correct)
  • John Locke
  • Thomas Hobbes
  • Karl Marx

    • What was the main concern of Woodrow Wilson's Fourteen Points proposal?

  • Promote isolationism to avoid future wars.
  • Achieve collective security among nations. (correct)
  • Increase military cooperation among states.
  • Establish a balance of power in international relations.

    • What concept suggests that aggression against one state requires a collective response from all states?

    <p>Collective security</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which international body was established based on liberal ideals after the First World War?

    <p>The League of Nations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to liberalism, why are liberal states less prone to war?

    <p>Their citizens rarely desire conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a significant outcome of the League of Nations' collapse in 1939 for liberal theorists?

    <p>It brought into question the viability of liberal ideas.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the democratic peace theory assert?

    <p>Democracies do not go to war with one another.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What role do Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs) primarily fulfill?

    <p>They create, monitor and enforce international norms and rules among member states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What differentiates Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) from Intergovernmental Organizations (IGOs)?

    <p>NGOs are privately established and not controlled by nation-states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a prominent effect of Multinational Corporations (MNCs) on international politics?

    <p>They set the agenda for international politics and direct foreign policy.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How have National Liberation Movements (NLMs) contributed to international politics?

    <p>They actively advocate for political changes and representation on an international scale.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one of the primary goals of terrorist groups?

    <p>To publicize grievances and aspirations to the international community.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of international terrorism is noted in the context provided?

    <p>It is considered the most conspicuous and threatening form of low-intensity violence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What represents a significant role of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO)?

    <p>They have a key role in the Arab-Israeli conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characterizes non-profit organizations in the context mentioned?

    <p>They operate independently to serve the public interest.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a direct outcome of the French Revolution of 1789?

    <p>The recognition of individual rights for the first time</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which sentiment characterizes aggressive nationalism from the late nineteenth century?

    <p>Desire for imperial expansion</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What principle was established after World War I regarding self-determination?

    <p>It was acknowledged as a right for all nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following events occurred prior to the outbreak of World War I?

    <p>The French Revolution</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which ideology justified the actions of the German Nazis prior to and during World War II?

    <p>Pan-nationalism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major international phenomenon was significantly influenced by aggressive nationalism in the early 20th century?

    <p>Both World Wars</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was a key feature of the nationalist movements in Africa during the 20th century?

    <p>A push for emancipation from colonial powers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a relational context, how is power defined?

    <p>A's ability to make B do something it would not otherwise do</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a main focus of the constructivist approach in international relations?

    <p>The power of ideas and identities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Critical theories often challenge which underlying assumption in international relations?

    <p>The validity of state sovereignty</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which group is predominantly given a voice in critical theories?

    <p>Marginalized individuals and communities</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Marxist critical theorists argue that international bodies, such as the UN, primarily serve the interests of which group?

    <p>The business class</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do critical theorists propose regarding the state in the context of international relations?

    <p>The legitimacy of the state must be questioned</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key characteristic of critical theories compared to liberalism and constructivism?

    <p>Opposition to mainstream assumptions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to critical theories, the actions of organizations like the United Nations can be seen as?

    <p>Measures that legitimize state-led exploitation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the constructivist view highlight about the behavior of states in the international system?

    <p>It is influenced by states' identities and norms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does post-colonialism primarily focus on?

    <p>Inequality between nations or regions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do postcolonial theorists typically view the doctrine of human rights?

    <p>As an example of Western cultural imperialism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do post-colonialists argue about the representation of nations in the United Nations Security Council?

    <p>It lacks representation from African and Latin American countries</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What aspect of the Security Council is highlighted by post-colonialists as perpetuating indirect colonial exploitation?

    <p>The presence of former colonial powers and their veto rights</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is emphasized as an important contribution of post-colonial scholars in international relations?

    <p>Incorporating viewpoints from the Global South</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Marxists view the role of international organizations such as the United Nations?

    <p>They primarily serve the interests of the bourgeoisie.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does dependency theory suggest regarding wealthy and poorer countries?

    <p>Wealthier countries benefit at the expense of poorer countries due to historical exploitation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to constructivism, what shapes the identities and interests of states?

    <p>The interactions between agents and structures.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central tenet of Alexander Wendt's view on anarchy in international relations?

    <p>Anarchy is a construct based on how states perceive it.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What perspective do Marxists have on the capability of international organizations to assist oppressed groups?

    <p>They see these organizations as harmful to the interests of the proletariat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'core and periphery' refer to in a Marxist context?

    <p>The division of countries into influential wealthy states and exploited poorer states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do Marxists characterize the state in terms of its relationship to the bourgeoisie?

    <p>The state acts as a mask for the socio-economic elite's interests.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In constructivism, who are the primary agents that interact on the global stage?

    <p>Individuals such as politicians and diplomats.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Course Information

    • Course Title: Global Trends
    • University: Bahir Dar University
    • Department: Political Science and International Studies
    • Instructor: Begashaw M. (MA in Political Science)

    Key Concepts (Chapter One: Understanding International Relations)

    • Nation: A community of people with a shared identity and common social practices. Nations evolve organically from ethnic communities, revealed through myths, legends, and songs. They share a common language, religion, culture, and geographical area. A nation combined with a state is a nation-state.
    • Nation-state: Occurs when a nation has its own country and state.
    • Country: Geographical entity.
    • State: Political entity.
    • Nation, state, and country: Words frequently used interchangeably, but they are distinct. Nation is cultural, state is political, and country is geographical. The United Nations comprises states, not nations.

    Nationalism

    • Causes of nationalism: Inequality, injustice, lack of self-determination, lack of recognition as a distinct group, colonialism, chauvinism.
    • Impact of nationalism: Influencing force in international affairs, causing revolutions and wars; a factor in the collapse of empires, creation of new borders, and reshaping regimes. Examples include the break-up of Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union, the break-up of the Eastern Roman Empire, Austro-Hungarian Empire, WWI and WWII, and the French and American revolutions.
    • Types of nationalism: Liberal nationalism (with liberal sentiments) and aggressive nationalism (with aggressive sentiments). Aggressive nationalism has a strong sense of national determination and the desire for expansion, which manifested in the Scramble for Africa, pan-nationalism in Russia and Germany. Examples of aggressive nationalism: German Nazism and their depiction of the Aryan race.
    • Nationalism's role in world wars: Nationalism is seen as a major factor in the outbreak of both World Wars. For example, nationalist-inspired programs of imperial expansion by Germany, Japan, and Italy fueled the build-up to World War II.
    • Self-determination: The right to self-determination is acknowledged with the conclusion of WWI in 1918.

    Power

    • Relational definition: Power is the ability of actor A to get actor B to do something it wouldn't otherwise do. A's influence on B, irrespective of their willingness.
    • Material (capability) definition: A measure of power based on attributes that a state possesses, like military strength, Economic development, natural resources, population size and geographical location.
    • Sources of power: Military strength, economic development, natural resources, population size, and geographical location.

    Anarchy

    • Definition: Absence of a global government.
    • Implications: Decentralized power, lack of shared institutions, reliance on self-help and alliances.
    • International relations system: Decentralized power and self-help are characteristic of international politics.

    Sovereignty

    • Definition: The ultimate authority within a state's own decision-making process and upholding of law and order.
    • Implications: States determine their own form of government, economic systems, domestic and foreign policies, and all issues.
    • Internal sovereignty: A state's ultimate authority within its territory.
    • External sovereignty: A state's involvement in the international community.

    International Relations

    • Broadened scope: Traditionally focused on interactions between states but expanded to include multiple entities like international organizations, multinational corporations, societies, and citizens.
    • Relations involve: Interactions in politics, economics, culture, and other areas across national boundaries, affecting the world.
    • Definition (Prof. Charles Schleicher): Relations among nations, states, and peoples, including interactions between individuals and groups, and these interactions are part of everyday life.

    International Relations Field of Study

    • Peaceful interactions/conflicts: International relations involve both peaceful interactions and conflicts between different entities.
    • Interconnectedness: Interactions happen across territories, nations, and states in various parts of the world.
    • Important daily impact: Individual decisions affect global processes in a variety of ways.

    Levels of Analysis in International Relations

    • Level of analysis: A framework for understanding international relations using different levels like individual (states actions, leaders), State (domestic policy influencing foreign policy), system (international system influences interactions and the balance of power), providing unique interpretations.
    • Individual Level: Focuses on behaviors, motivations, beliefs, and perceptions of individuals impacting international relations. Examples: Leaders' personalities or perceptions affecting foreign policy decisions, psychological/emotional considerations.
    • State Level: Domestic factors influencing a state's foreign policy actions. Factors like state structure, characteristics, public opinion, economic standing, historical ties, and military capability are included.
    • System Level: International system's impact is the focus; the international system's structure, global circumstances, balance of power, polarity systems and global characteristics are considered.

    The Structure of International System

    • Polarity: Distribution of power among actors in the international system.
    • Unipolarity: One dominant state with the greatest political, economic, and military influence.
    • Bipolarity: Two dominant states with significant power, often in competition with each other.
    • Multipolarity: Multiple states with significant power, often competing and forming alliances. Examples: Unipolarity - Post-Cold War United States, Bipolarity - Cold War, Multipolarity – pre-World War I.

    Theories of International Relations

    • Liberalism: States are not the only actors, emphasizes cooperation, peacefulness of humans, and the value of international organizations in establishing peace, cooperation, and the desire for collective security through the League of Nations.
    • Realism: Focuses on the struggle for power among states in an anarchic system; states as rational actors prioritizing self-interest and security.
    • Critical Theories: Offer critiques of conventional approaches for their perceived shortcomings by bringing attention to issues overlooked by other theories, and their disregard for marginalization, oppression, and inequality. Critical Theories include Marxism, Post-colonialism.
    • Marxism: Focuses on class structures, power struggles, and the disparity of wealth between wealthy states and poor states in the international system.
    • Structuralism: Explores the distribution of power, inequality, and dependency within the global system.
    • Postcolonialism: Focuses on the lingering effects of colonialism and power imbalances between states, and it calls for a more diversified and equal global playing field.

    Terrorist Groups

    • Motivations: terrorism is often driven by political, economic, or social reasons
    • Impact: significantly impact international relations by fueling conflicts.

    Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

    • Role: MNCs influence states and shape international agendas.

    Actors in International Relations

    • State actors: States play a primary role.
    • Non-state actors: International governmental organizations (IGOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multinational corporations (MNCs) interact as important parts.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge on liberalism in international relations and its key concepts. This quiz covers foundational ideas, significant philosophers, and the implications of liberalism on global peace and organization. Discover how liberal theories shape our understanding of international politics.

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