Intl 1100 Midterm Practice

The Peace of Westphalia concluded the Thirty Years’ War. This war was a conflict primarily fought in Central Europe between 1618 and 1648. The Peace of Westphalia was a series of treaties signed in 1648 that ended the war and established a new system of international relations. It recognized the sovereignty of individual states and introduced the concept of the nation-state, marking a significant shift in European politics.

International relations scholars use levels of analysis to understand and explain political events. The three accepted levels of analysis are individual, state, and world system. The individual level focuses on the characteristics and actions of specific individuals or leaders involved in the event. The state level examines the role of the state, including its institutions, policies, and interests. The world system level looks at the broader international context, including the interactions and dynamics between states and other global actors. By considering these three levels, scholars can gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes and implications of political events.

The state level of analysis emphasizes the domestic attributes of individual states. This means that when analyzing international relations, the focus is on the internal factors and characteristics of each state. This could include factors such as a state's political system, economic structure, cultural values, and domestic policies. By understanding these domestic attributes, analysts can better comprehend a state's behavior and actions in the international arena. This level of analysis helps to explain how domestic factors shape a state's foreign policy decisions and interactions with other states.

The phrase "Where you stand depends on where you sit" best characterizes the bureaucratic politics model (BPM). This phrase suggests that individuals' perspectives and actions within a bureaucratic system are influenced by their position or role within that system. In the BPM, decision-making is shaped by the competing interests and power dynamics among different bureaucratic actors, who prioritize their own goals and perspectives. This phrase captures the idea that individuals' viewpoints and actions are shaped by their position within the bureaucratic hierarchy, and that different positions can lead to different perspectives and outcomes.

Groupthink refers to the tendency of group members to conform to the opinions or decisions of others in order to maintain harmony within the group. It occurs when individuals prioritize consensus and conformity over critical thinking and independent judgment. This phenomenon can hinder creativity, diversity of thought, and the exploration of alternative solutions. The correct answer accurately describes groupthink as the propensity for group members to accept and agree with others' opinions to preserve group cohesion.

According to modernization theory, wealth is created through efficient production, free enterprise, and free trade. It suggests that once capital is accumulated, its benefits would "trickle down" to broader segments of society. This theory implies that underdeveloped countries can achieve development by adopting these principles and accumulating capital.

Realists argue that the anarchic nature of the international system, characterized by the absence of a central authority, leads to a self-help system. In this system, states prioritize their own security and take measures to protect themselves without relying on outside assistance. Realists believe that states are primarily motivated by their own interests and survival, and therefore, they cannot depend on others for their security. This self-help system often leads to competition and conflict among states as they seek to ensure their own survival in the absence of a higher authority to guarantee their security.

Hans Morgenthau was not an important liberal philosopher because he was actually a political realist. While liberal philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Woodrow Wilson, Adam Smith, and John Locke contributed significantly to the development of liberal ideas, Morgenthau's work focused on the realist school of thought, which emphasizes power politics and the pursuit of national interest in international relations. Therefore, Morgenthau's ideas and contributions were not aligned with the principles and values of liberalism.

The Council of Ministers is not an organ of the UN. The correct answer is Council of Ministers. The UN consists of several organs, including the Secretariat, International Court of Justice, Security Council, and General Assembly. However, the Council of Ministers is not one of them.

The agreement by European states to delegate some of their domestic decision-making power to the European Union is an example of pooled sovereignty. This term refers to the pooling or sharing of sovereignty among multiple states in order to collectively make decisions and address common challenges. In the case of the European Union, member states have voluntarily agreed to transfer certain powers to supranational institutions, such as the European Commission and European Parliament, in order to promote cooperation and integration at the regional level. This allows for joint decision-making on issues that affect all member states, while still preserving some level of national sovereignty.

The correct answer is "All of the above are true." This means that all three statements mentioned in the question are common critiques of liberalism. The first critique is that liberalism places too much emphasis on moral rationales. The second critique is that states are the primary level of analysis in liberalism. The third critique is that international institutions are ineffective in liberalism. Therefore, all three critiques are considered valid criticisms of liberalism.

Marxist thought, when applied to world politics, places a significant emphasis on class conflict. According to Marxism, society is divided into two main classes: the bourgeoisie (the ruling class) and the proletariat (the working class). The bourgeoisie exploits the proletariat for their own economic gain, leading to a constant struggle and conflict between these classes. Marxism argues that this class conflict is the driving force behind social change and revolution. Therefore, the main focus of Marxist thought in world politics is to analyze and address this class conflict in order to achieve a more equitable and just society.

The correct answer is core, periphery, and semi-periphery areas. World-system theory is a sociological perspective that categorizes countries and regions based on their level of development and integration into the global economy. The core areas are the most developed and industrialized regions, while the periphery areas are the least developed and dependent on the core. The semi-periphery areas fall in between, exhibiting characteristics of both core and periphery. This theory helps to explain the unequal distribution of wealth and power in the world and the dynamics of global economic relations.

All of the options listed in the question are considered causes of World War I. Highly rigid alliances, the growth of nationalism in Europe, and a growth in militarism were all significant factors that contributed to the outbreak of the war.

George Kennan was responsible for the origins of the U.S. strategy of containment. Kennan, an American diplomat and historian, developed the concept of containment in the late 1940s. In his famous "Long Telegram" and subsequent article titled "The Sources of Soviet Conduct," Kennan argued that the United States should adopt a policy of containing the expansionist tendencies of the Soviet Union. This strategy became the cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy during the Cold War and shaped American actions and alliances for decades to come.

Nikita Khrushchev is the correct answer because during his leadership from 1953 to 1964, he proposed the concept of peaceful coexistence with capitalism. He believed that the Soviet Union and the capitalist countries could coexist without engaging in direct conflict or war. This approach was a departure from the previous Soviet leaders who had advocated for the eventual overthrow of capitalism. Khrushchev's policy of peaceful coexistence aimed to reduce tensions between the two ideological camps and promote a more stable international environment.

The policy of détente refers to a period of improved relations between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It was characterized by a reduction in tensions and increased diplomatic dialogue. Richard Nixon, as the President of the United States from 1969 to 1974, played a pivotal role in initiating and implementing this policy. His administration focused on easing tensions with the Soviet Union and China through diplomatic negotiations, arms control agreements, and economic cooperation. Therefore, Richard Nixon is associated with the policy of détente.

The question asks for the exception among the "revisionist powers" mentioned in Thornberry and Krepinevich's article. The correct answer is Ukraine because Russia, Iran, and China are all mentioned as revisionist powers in the article. This implies that the article does not consider Ukraine to be a revisionist power.

In their analysis, Thornberry and Krepinevich argue that in the future, the term "the global commons" will encompass air and space, high seas, and cyberspace. However, it will not include undersea energy. Therefore, the correct answer is "all of these" because all the other options are included in the concept of the global commons except for undersea energy.

At the end of World War I, the colonial territories of Germany and the Ottoman Empire were transferred under the League of Nations to countries that would rule them as "mandates" until eventual self-rule. This means that these territories were not allowed to remain under the control of Germany and Turkey, nor were they given immediate independence. Instead, they were placed under the temporary administration of other countries, with the goal of preparing them for self-governance in the future.

The NPR piece, "Military Conflicts: Why Weakness Leads to Aggression" includes research from Jeffrey Berejikian, a UGA International Affairs professor.

Realists believe that states are the most important actors in global politics because they argue that states have ultimate sovereignty and autonomy. According to realist theory, states answer to no authority higher than themselves, meaning that they have the power to act in their own self-interest without being constrained by international law or the influence of international organizations. This perspective emphasizes the primacy of state power and the pursuit of national interests as the driving forces in global politics.

Group D has two bamboo thickets within their territory.

The criticism of the realist school of thought is that it could not account for new trends in international relations, like economic cooperation. This implies that realists focused too much on power and interest, neglecting the importance of economic factors and cooperation among nations. Realism tends to prioritize the pursuit of national interest and the balance of power, often overlooking the potential benefits of economic interdependence and collaboration in shaping international relations.

A dominant global leader that exercises predominant influence over other global actors is referred to as a hegemon. Hegemony is a concept in international relations that describes a state or entity that has the ability to shape and control the actions and policies of other states or actors in the global system. It implies a position of power and influence, often achieved through economic, political, or military means. The term "hegemon" is commonly used to describe the United States as the current dominant global power.

U.S. isolationism is not considered a reason for the emergence of the Cold War. The Cold War was primarily driven by factors such as incompatible political ideologies, the power transition between the United States and the Soviet Union, competing economic systems, and the superpowers' misperceptions of each other's motives. U.S. isolationism, which refers to the United States' policy of avoiding involvement in international affairs, did not directly contribute to the tensions and conflicts between the two superpowers during the Cold War period.

The correct answer is Reagan Doctrine. The Reagan Doctrine refers to the policy of providing support to anti-communist insurgents in countries like Afghanistan, Angola, and Nicaragua during the Reagan administration. This policy aimed to counter Soviet influence and promote democracy and capitalism in these regions. It was a significant shift in U.S. foreign policy and marked a more assertive approach towards combating communism.

The question asks for an explanation of the correct answer, which is "all of these." This means that all of the factors listed in the options are necessary for political integration to occur. Geographical proximity, supportive public opinions led by enthusiastic leaders, compatible economic systems with supportive business interests, internal political stability, and similar political systems are all important factors that contribute to political integration. Therefore, if any one of these factors is absent, the chances of political integration decrease.