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Questions and Answers
What does Morgenthau identify as the fundamental driving force behind human political behavior?
What does Morgenthau identify as the fundamental driving force behind human political behavior?
What is the ultimate political environment that Morgenthau sees as necessary for security?
What is the ultimate political environment that Morgenthau sees as necessary for security?
Which of the following principles of political realism posits that politics is governed by laws rooted in human nature?
Which of the following principles of political realism posits that politics is governed by laws rooted in human nature?
How does Morgenthau describe the state of international relations according to classical realism?
How does Morgenthau describe the state of international relations according to classical realism?
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What is the term Morgenthau uses to describe the human pursuit of power?
What is the term Morgenthau uses to describe the human pursuit of power?
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Which philosophers significantly influenced Morgenthau's views on political realism?
Which philosophers significantly influenced Morgenthau's views on political realism?
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What does Morgenthau suggest is necessary for a state to maintain its interests?
What does Morgenthau suggest is necessary for a state to maintain its interests?
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According to Morgenthau, which characteristic best describes human nature in relation to politics?
According to Morgenthau, which characteristic best describes human nature in relation to politics?
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What do realists primarily focus on in international relations?
What do realists primarily focus on in international relations?
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Which term is often associated with military security and strategic issues in realism?
Which term is often associated with military security and strategic issues in realism?
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What is a key concept for realists regarding the power of states?
What is a key concept for realists regarding the power of states?
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How do structural realists, or neorealists, view the distribution of power?
How do structural realists, or neorealists, view the distribution of power?
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What was the primary effect of the First World War on international thought?
What was the primary effect of the First World War on international thought?
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Which of the following best describes 'The Great Debates' in International Relations theory?
Which of the following best describes 'The Great Debates' in International Relations theory?
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According to realism, what is the 'struggle for power' considered to be?
According to realism, what is the 'struggle for power' considered to be?
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What does the image of a unified, rational state represent in realism?
What does the image of a unified, rational state represent in realism?
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Which two theories are contrasted in the first of 'The Great Debates'?
Which two theories are contrasted in the first of 'The Great Debates'?
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What distinguishes 'radical' realists within the realist framework?
What distinguishes 'radical' realists within the realist framework?
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What characterized the initial emergence of the International Relations discipline in 1919?
What characterized the initial emergence of the International Relations discipline in 1919?
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In realism, the terms 'high politics' and 'low politics' typically refer to what?
In realism, the terms 'high politics' and 'low politics' typically refer to what?
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What was a significant challenge faced by the League of Nations in the 1930s?
What was a significant challenge faced by the League of Nations in the 1930s?
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Which event was NOT cited as an outcome during the 1930s?
Which event was NOT cited as an outcome during the 1930s?
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Which aspect of international relations did international historians express skepticism towards?
Which aspect of international relations did international historians express skepticism towards?
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Which claim can be made regarding the consensus among scholars in the field of International Relations?
Which claim can be made regarding the consensus among scholars in the field of International Relations?
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What does classical realism primarily attribute conflictual behavior in international politics to?
What does classical realism primarily attribute conflictual behavior in international politics to?
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According to classical realists, how is interest defined in the realm of international politics?
According to classical realists, how is interest defined in the realm of international politics?
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What is a key belief of classical realists regarding the nature of politics?
What is a key belief of classical realists regarding the nature of politics?
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What does Morgenthau suggest about the struggle for power?
What does Morgenthau suggest about the struggle for power?
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How does classical realism view the success of alliances and balances of power?
How does classical realism view the success of alliances and balances of power?
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What aspect of human nature does classical realism emphasize in the context of international relations?
What aspect of human nature does classical realism emphasize in the context of international relations?
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How do classical realists view the concept of interests in international politics?
How do classical realists view the concept of interests in international politics?
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What historical perspective does classical realism share with ancient thinkers like Thucydides?
What historical perspective does classical realism share with ancient thinkers like Thucydides?
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What does hierarchy imply about the relationships among parts of a system?
What does hierarchy imply about the relationships among parts of a system?
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In an anarchic order, what must every unit do?
In an anarchic order, what must every unit do?
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What characterizes differences between states in international politics?
What characterizes differences between states in international politics?
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What is the central conclusion of structural realism regarding state behavior in anarchy?
What is the central conclusion of structural realism regarding state behavior in anarchy?
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What do ‘bandwagoners’ try to achieve in hierarchical political orders?
What do ‘bandwagoners’ try to achieve in hierarchical political orders?
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What does the Prisoners' Dilemma illustrate about anarchy and cooperation?
What does the Prisoners' Dilemma illustrate about anarchy and cooperation?
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Why might weak states prefer balancing over bandwagoning?
Why might weak states prefer balancing over bandwagoning?
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How do great powers tend to manage their security in an anarchic environment?
How do great powers tend to manage their security in an anarchic environment?
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What is the primary focus of neoclassical realism in international relations?
What is the primary focus of neoclassical realism in international relations?
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Which theorist's concepts are primarily referenced in the 'balance of interests' theory within neoclassical realism?
Which theorist's concepts are primarily referenced in the 'balance of interests' theory within neoclassical realism?
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How do neoclassical realists differentiate between states?
How do neoclassical realists differentiate between states?
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What aspect of state motivation do neoclassical realists emphasize in contrast to classical realism?
What aspect of state motivation do neoclassical realists emphasize in contrast to classical realism?
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What is one critique neoclassical realism addresses regarding neorealism?
What is one critique neoclassical realism addresses regarding neorealism?
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What do neoclassical realists refer to as the 'domestic transmission belt'?
What do neoclassical realists refer to as the 'domestic transmission belt'?
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According to neoclassical realism, states decide on their foreign policies based on which factors?
According to neoclassical realism, states decide on their foreign policies based on which factors?
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What foundational assumption does neoclassical realism share with other forms of realism?
What foundational assumption does neoclassical realism share with other forms of realism?
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Study Notes
Theories of International Relations
- IR scholars seek to understand why international events occur as they do.
- Questions like "Why did a certain war break out?" and "Why are some countries richer than others?" are central to the study.
Answering "Why" Questions
- One approach involves tracing immediate, short-term sequences of events and decisions leading to a specific outcome.
- A second approach seeks broader, more general explanations and longer-term causes.
Understanding IR
- Comprehensive understanding requires both descriptive and theoretical knowledge.
- Describing events alone isn't enough; generalizing and drawing lessons from experiences is vital.
- Theories must be applicable to the complex real world.
Theoretical Disagreements
- IR scholars don't agree on a single set of theories or concepts.
- Traditional theories, while influential, are often challenged by critics, particularly those focusing on power politics ("realism").
- Many disagreements exist within and between realist and non-realist theories about "why" questions.
Prominent Theories
- Liberalism and neo-institutional liberalism
- Realism and neorealism
- Radical perspectives (rooted in Marxism)
- Constructivism
Theorizing
- Theorizing fits individual events and cases into larger patterns to make generalizations about global politics.
- International Relations specialists often ask, "Of what is this an instance?"
- Theory simplifies reality by focusing on factors deemed important by theorists.
Theory
- A set of hypotheses explaining the interaction between variables.
- Used to describe, explain, or predict phenomena.
- Can be used for engineering positive changes.
Types of Theory
- Empirical Theory: Deals with what is, based on observable facts (e.g., history books, documents).
- Normative Theory: Deals with what ought to be, based on values, logic, and beliefs, frequently concerning morality.
Theory Purposes
- Prediction: Forecasting events based on general principles.
- Explanation: Identifying causes of events.
- Prescription: Recommending policies to achieve goals.
Methodology
- Methodology refers to the rules and procedures for evaluating and testing theories.
- Quantitative measures (e.g., statistics, statistical inference) are often employed, as are qualitative measures (e.g., detailed case studies).
Levels of Analysis
- Analysis can focus on individual policy-makers, states, the system of states, or the entire global system.
Levels of Analysis - Individual Level
- Exploring how individual characteristics (cognitive, emotional, and psychological factors, gender, group perceptions, etc.) affect policy.
- Analyzing the traits of individual leaders as an important factor in international relations.
Levels of Analysis - State Level
- Analyzing how the structure and operations of a government (type of government - e.g., democracy vs. authoritarianism; crisis vs. non-crisis contexts, etc.) influences decision/policy making.
- Including the influence of bureaucracies, interest groups, and the public.
Levels of Analysis - Systemic Level
- Focusing on external conditions and pressures that shape a country's practices and policies.
- Analysing the organization of authority in the international system—whether anarchical or hierarchical, unipolar, bipolar or multipolar.
The Development of International Relations Theory in the 20th Century
- The formal academic study of IR emerged after World War I (1914-18).
- The devastation of the war motivated scholars to understand the causes and potentially preventing future conflicts.
- Liberal internationalism became a key early theory emerging from this time period, advocating for democracy and international institutions.
- The 1930s witnessed the initial theoretical orthodoxy, although challenges emerged.
The Great Debates in IR
- Realism and liberalism have been the two central contending theoretical traditions—the "big debate(s)."
- Traditionalism/Behavioralism debate challenged the methodological basis of IR.
Realism (1)
- A theory emphasizing the importance of power and self-interest in international relations.
- Realism assumes states are principal actors in an anarchic system.
Classical Realism: Machiavelli's Influence
- Survival of the state is paramount. State security is paramount, which justifies actions that might be considered immoral for other actors
- Decisions and policy should look to the lessons of history.
- A 'realist' view of international relations, meaning to describe the world as it is, not the world as it should be.
Realism (2): Hobbes's Influence
- In a state of nature, without overarching government, international politics is a 'struggle for power'.
- In the absence of an overarching world government, states must fend for themselves.
- A 'pessimistic' view on how states interact in the international arena.
Realism (3): Carr and Morgenthau
- Carr argued that political thought needs to be grounded on both realism and utopia (ethics and power).
- Morgenthau detailed 6 principles of political realism: rooted in an unchanging human nature, driven by self-interest, concern for power, and realism recognizes the tension between moral principles and the pursuit of national interest.
Realism (4): Neorealism (Waltz)
- Kenneth Waltz's theory, a structural approach arguing that the distribution of power among states is most crucial in shaping international relations.
- Anarchy and distribution of capabilities are the constants.
- States balance rather than band together with powerful states
Realism (5): Defensive and Offensive Structural Realism
- Defensive structural realism: emphasizes security.
- Offensive structural realism: emphasizes the importance of gaining power.
- These models disagree about the appropriate level of state power acquisition.
Realism (6): Rise and Fall Realism (Gilpin and Organski)
- Power transition theory: instability arises when there's relative parity between potential hegemonic powers and challenging states.
Neoclassical Realism
- An attempt to integrate classical realism and neorealism.
- Emphasizes the importance of domestic politics in shaping state behavior within the constraints of international politics.
- Accounts for diverse state motivations, roles of domestic politics, and leadership.
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Description
This quiz explores the various theories that underpin international relations and seeks to answer critical questions about world events. Participants will engage with both descriptive knowledge and theoretical underpinnings essential for understanding why conflicts and disparities occur between nations. Through analyzing different approaches, the quiz highlights the complexity and disagreements among IR scholars.
