Comparative Politics Theory Quiz PDF

Test Guide: Schools of Thought and Key Theories for Comparative Politics Theory Quiz 1. Realism and Neo-Realism Classical Realism ​ Key Scholars: Thucydides, Thomas Hobbes, Hans Morgenthau ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Focus on power and the anarchic nature of the international system....

Test Guide: Schools of Thought and Key Theories for Comparative Politics Theory Quiz 1. Realism and Neo-Realism Classical Realism ​ Key Scholars: Thucydides, Thomas Hobbes, Hans Morgenthau ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Focus on power and the anarchic nature of the international system. ○​ States are rational actors driven by self-interest. ○​ Conflict is inevitable due to human nature. ○​ Moral considerations are secondary to national interest. Neo-Realism (Structural Realism) ​ Key Scholars: Kenneth Waltz, John Mearsheimer, Robert Jervis, Robert Gilpin Defensive Realism (Kenneth Waltz, Robert Jervis) ​ Core Concepts: ○​ States seek security rather than power maximization. ○​ The international system constrains state behavior. ○​ Excessive pursuit of power leads to balancing by other states. Offensive Realism (John Mearsheimer) ​ Core Concepts: ○​ States are power maximizers. ○​ The anarchic international system compels states to seek dominance. ○​ Conflict and competition are inevitable as states strive for hegemony. 2. Liberalism and Neo-Liberalism Classical Liberalism ​ Key Scholars: Montesquieu, Immanuel Kant, Woodrow Wilson, Steven Pinker ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Cooperation and peace are possible in international relations. ○​ Democracy, free trade, and international organizations promote peace. ○​ Human rationality can overcome the anarchic nature of the international system. Immanuel Kant’s Perpetual Peace Theory  ​ Key Ideas: ○​ Democratic states are less likely to engage in war (democratic peace theory). ○​ International cooperation through organizations and treaties is essential. Neo-Liberalism (Institutional Liberalism) ​ Key Scholars: Robert Keohane, Joseph Nye, John Ikenberry (not yet covered in class) ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Institutions mitigate anarchy and facilitate cooperation. ○​ Absolute gains are prioritized over relative gains. ○​ Complex interdependence reduces the likelihood of conflict. Robert Keohane’s Contributions ​ Key Ideas: ○​ International institutions play a critical role in fostering cooperation. ○​ Institutions provide information, reduce transaction costs, and create norms. Joseph Nye’s Concept of Soft Power ​ Key Ideas: ○​ Soft power is the ability to shape preferences through attraction rather than coercion. ○​ Culture, political values, and diplomacy are essential components of soft power. 3. Constructivism ​ Key Scholar: Alexander Wendt ​ Core Concepts: ○​ International relations are socially constructed. ○​ Anarchy is what states make of it (Wendt’s famous assertion). ○​ State identities and interests are shaped by social interactions. ○​ Norms, ideas, and discourse play a crucial role in international politics. Alexander Wendt’s Key Contributions ​ Key Ideas: ○​ States are not inherently self-interested; their interests are shaped by interactions and norms. ○​ Change in international politics is possible through changes in shared ideas and norms. 4. Radicalism Marxism ​ Key Scholars: Karl Marx, John Hobson ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Focus on class struggle and economic exploitation. ○​ The international system is a reflection of capitalist interests. ○​ Imperialism is driven by capitalist expansion (Hobson). Dependency Theory ​ Key Scholar: Raul Prebisch ​ Core Concepts: ○​ Developing countries are exploited by developed nations. ○​ The global economic system perpetuates inequality. ○​ Dependency on core countries hinders development in peripheral countries. Key Comparisons Across Schools of Thought Aspect Realism/Neo-Re Liberalism/Neo-Li Constructivism Radicalism alism beralism View of Inescapable Manageable Constructed by Reflection of Anarchy through institutions social interactions capitalist interests Key Actors States States and States and Economic institutions non-state actors classes Nature of Self-interested Cooperative under Shaped by norms Driven by State and right conditions and identities capitalist Behavior power-seeking interests Role of Minimal Important for Central Ideology-drive Ideas cooperation n Conflict Inevitable Avoidable Possible but not Rooted in inevitable economic inequality