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Questions and Answers
What major reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev introduce in the mid-1980s?
What major reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev introduce in the mid-1980s?
According to Kenneth Waltz, what is the main goal of all states in the international system?
According to Kenneth Waltz, what is the main goal of all states in the international system?
What does Kenneth Waltz believe is irrelevant in determining state behavior?
What does Kenneth Waltz believe is irrelevant in determining state behavior?
What metaphor does Waltz use to explain states' interactions in the international system?
What metaphor does Waltz use to explain states' interactions in the international system?
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In a bipolar system, how are states affected according to Waltz's metaphor?
In a bipolar system, how are states affected according to Waltz's metaphor?
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What did the United States do between 1979 and 1985 in relation to the Soviet Union?
What did the United States do between 1979 and 1985 in relation to the Soviet Union?
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What is the primary focus of Kenneth Waltz's 'scientific' vision of international relations?
What is the primary focus of Kenneth Waltz's 'scientific' vision of international relations?
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What characterized the international system during the time of elevated tension between 1979 and 1985?
What characterized the international system during the time of elevated tension between 1979 and 1985?
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What does the differentiation principle suggest about states?
What does the differentiation principle suggest about states?
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According to Waltz, what characterizes state sovereignty?
According to Waltz, what characterizes state sovereignty?
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What does the distribution principle explain about states?
What does the distribution principle explain about states?
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How does Waltz view national interest in relation to state behavior?
How does Waltz view national interest in relation to state behavior?
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What role do great powers play in the international system according to Waltz?
What role do great powers play in the international system according to Waltz?
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What type of international system does Waltz consider to be more stable?
What type of international system does Waltz consider to be more stable?
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What is a typical means of international change in Waltz's theory?
What is a typical means of international change in Waltz's theory?
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What is always a possibility in an anarchical international system?
What is always a possibility in an anarchical international system?
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What is the main principle behind Waltz's theory regarding international politics?
What is the main principle behind Waltz's theory regarding international politics?
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How does Waltz's view of state actions differ from classical realism?
How does Waltz's view of state actions differ from classical realism?
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What does Waltz mean by the 'balance of power' in international relations?
What does Waltz mean by the 'balance of power' in international relations?
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In Waltz's theory, what role do structures play in determining state behavior?
In Waltz's theory, what role do structures play in determining state behavior?
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What is a fundamental characteristic of states, according to Waltz?
What is a fundamental characteristic of states, according to Waltz?
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What differentiates Waltz's third-image theory from first-image and second-image theories?
What differentiates Waltz's third-image theory from first-image and second-image theories?
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What does Waltz reject in his theoretical framework that classical realists support?
What does Waltz reject in his theoretical framework that classical realists support?
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Which aspect does Waltz believe is less important compared to the structure of the international system?
Which aspect does Waltz believe is less important compared to the structure of the international system?
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What is one of the ways states can pursue a policy of balance of power?
What is one of the ways states can pursue a policy of balance of power?
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What does the term 'hegemony' refer to in international relations?
What does the term 'hegemony' refer to in international relations?
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Which of the following best describes a regional hegemon?
Which of the following best describes a regional hegemon?
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What aspect of neoliberalism differentiates it from classical liberalism?
What aspect of neoliberalism differentiates it from classical liberalism?
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How does neoliberalism view international cooperation between states?
How does neoliberalism view international cooperation between states?
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Which role do international institutions play according to neoliberalism?
Which role do international institutions play according to neoliberalism?
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What distinguishes a global hegemon from a regional hegemon?
What distinguishes a global hegemon from a regional hegemon?
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Which of the following statements best reflects the balance of power theory?
Which of the following statements best reflects the balance of power theory?
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What is the primary aim of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regarding nuclear weapons?
What is the primary aim of the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) regarding nuclear weapons?
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Which of the following is NOT a principle established by the NPT?
Which of the following is NOT a principle established by the NPT?
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What was a significant outcome of the 1995 conference regarding the NPT?
What was a significant outcome of the 1995 conference regarding the NPT?
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Which organization oversees the implementation of the NPT?
Which organization oversees the implementation of the NPT?
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Which of the following states is known to have renounced the development of nuclear weapons?
Which of the following states is known to have renounced the development of nuclear weapons?
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What behavior does the NPT stigmatize according to the provided content?
What behavior does the NPT stigmatize according to the provided content?
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What argument did Joseph Grieco present in the context of the Neo-Neo debate?
What argument did Joseph Grieco present in the context of the Neo-Neo debate?
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What does the NPT ensure for its member states regarding civilian nuclear energy?
What does the NPT ensure for its member states regarding civilian nuclear energy?
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What is the primary focus of neo-liberal institutionalism regarding state cooperation?
What is the primary focus of neo-liberal institutionalism regarding state cooperation?
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What does the Pareto optimum refer to in the context of the prisoner's dilemma?
What does the Pareto optimum refer to in the context of the prisoner's dilemma?
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Why is reputation considered an important mechanism in neo-liberal institutionalism?
Why is reputation considered an important mechanism in neo-liberal institutionalism?
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Which term describes the behavior when a state decides to benefit individually at the expense of collective cooperation?
Which term describes the behavior when a state decides to benefit individually at the expense of collective cooperation?
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What is one reason states may be reluctant to cooperate according to neo-liberal institutionalism?
What is one reason states may be reluctant to cooperate according to neo-liberal institutionalism?
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How do neo-liberal institutionalists view the relationship between international institutions and state sovereignty?
How do neo-liberal institutionalists view the relationship between international institutions and state sovereignty?
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What does a non-zero-sum game imply in the context of international cooperation?
What does a non-zero-sum game imply in the context of international cooperation?
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Which of the following statements is true about cooperation in international relations, according to neo-liberalists?
Which of the following statements is true about cooperation in international relations, according to neo-liberalists?
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Study Notes
The Great Debates in IR
- Idealists versus realists (1930-1950): A period of debate between these two schools of thought.
- Traditionalists versus behavioralists (1940-1960): Another key debate, contrasting traditional methods with the more scientific approach of behavioralists.
- Classical theories versus Marxist theories and transnationalism (1970-1990): A focus on various competing theories and perspectives.
- Positivists vs post-positivists (1990-2012): Discussion on the scientific and philosophical foundations of international relations.
The Behaviorist Turn in IR
- Behavioralists used a more scientific approach, relying on data collection and empirical analysis to understand international relations.
- Traditionalists were criticized for not using scientific methods, favoring instead philosophical and historical approaches.
- Behavioralists aimed to collect and analyze data on international relations to explain patterns of behaviour.
- Their methods sought to measure, classify, generalize, and validate hypotheses about behaviour, in contrast to the more philosophical or historical approaches used in the traditional model.
- The behavioralist revolution, spanning 1940-60, influenced the social sciences by bringing quantitative and empirical methods to international relations.
Neo-Realism
- Neo-realism is a response to the Cold War, applying scientific methods to international relations.
- It differs from classical realism in its focus on the structure of the international system, rather than the motivations of individual actors, such as states.
- Neo-realists focused on the impact of anarchy on the behaviour of states: this is seen as the fundamental principle to analyzing the system.
- States are driven by the need for security, and thus, self-interests.
- States can cooperate when their security interests coincide; but cooperation often proves challenging given inherent conflicts of interest over security.
- Great powers play an important role in maintaining balance in the international system, and are thus, the most influential actors.
Neo-Liberal Institutionalism
- Neo-liberal institutionalism considers international cooperation as viable and sustainable.
- Cooperation can reduce conflicts and create mutually beneficial outcomes for all involved parties.
- International institutions and treaties play a crucial, facilitative role in establishing and maintaining cooperation.
- International cooperation is often a positive-sum game, meaning that cooperation can enhance the overall net benefits for all actors involved in the interaction.
Additional Key Concepts and Debates
- Balance of Power: A key concept in international relations, where states balance their power to prevent any one state from becoming too powerful
- Hegemony: A state's dominance or influence in a system, often through economic and military power, to determine the behaviours of other states within the system.
- Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT): An agreement among states to limit the spread of nuclear weapons, emphasizing the need for cooperation to prevent the proliferation of nuclear power.
- Prisoner's Dilemma: A game theory dilemma describing the possible tension between cooperation and self-interest, highlighting that cooperation is not always individually rational; particularly in the realm of international relations where states must rely on other actors to support their long-term interests, despite the risk that they may not always be trustworthy.
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Description
Explore the key debates in International Relations from idealism vs realism to positivism vs post-positivism. This quiz covers significant shifts in thought from the 1930s to the early 2010s. Test your knowledge on behavioralism and traditionalism in the context of these critical discussions.
