Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Introduction to International Relations

Midterm 1 Review Yu-Ming Liou
Department of Government Georgetown University

February 14, 2014

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Exam Format
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

75-minute Exam

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Exam Format
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

75-minute Exam Blue Book

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Exam Format
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

75-minute Exam Blue Book Question Formats:

Multiple Choice (10) Short Answer (10) Essay (1)

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Grading Procedures
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

All TAs will grade from a common rubric.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Grading Procedures
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

All TAs will grade from a common rubric. Grade reviews can begin 48 hours after the exam.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Grading Procedures
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

All TAs will grade from a common rubric. Grade reviews can begin 48 hours after the exam. Your grade may go down as well as up.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Grading Procedures
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

All TAs will grade from a common rubric. Grade reviews can begin 48 hours after the exam. Your grade may go down as well as up. Final appeal to Professor Lieber.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Multiple Choice 1
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 1. Which of the following schools assumes that most nation-states are rational, unitary actors pursuing goals of national interest, irrespective of their form of government or type of economic organization?
(A) (B) (C) (D) Internationalist Constructivist Realist Transnationalist

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Multiple Choice 2
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 2. In his discussion of the pre-modern East Asian states system, Kang argues:
(A) (B) (C) (D) Other East Asian states balanced against China. Regional institutions led to a stable hegemonic order. Conict was avoided because of shared political culture. Peace was ensured by Chinese defenses.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Multiple Choice 3
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou

.
Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 3. Which culture of anarchy does Wendt argue best describes the contemporary international system?
(A) (B) (C) (D) Hegelian anarchy Hobbesian anarchy Kantian anarchy Lockeian anarchy

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Short Answer 1
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 4. Briey describe the Prisoners Dilemma and its relevance to International Relations.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Short Answer 2
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 5. Name the Levels of Analysis.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Short Answer 3
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 6. What does anarchy mean in International Relations?

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Essay 1
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 7. Explain democratic peace theory. Why are democracies less likely to ght other democracies? Does this mean that recent transitions to democracy will lead to more cooperation among states? Why or why not?

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Essay 2
Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Question 8. Most realists assume that states are rational actors. What does this assumption mean for various theories of International Relations?

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Make sure you know THIS!

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion
GOVT-006: Introduction to International Relations Prof. David M. Edelstein
Theory Assumptions Human nature is to lust for power. States are unitary, rational actors in an anarchic international system; States are unitary, rational actors in an anarchic international system. State Interests (and How States Achieve Them) Interests defined by power. Power is an end to be sought.

The Major Theories of International Relations

Implications States compete with each other for power. Prospects for Cooperation Slim to none on issues of great consequence. Causes of Conflict Imbalances in power; lust for power. Policy Implications Balance power. Bumper Sticker Humans lust for power. War results.

Classical Realism
(Individual level) Example: H. Morgenthau

Defensive Realism
(System level) Examples: R. Jervis K. Waltz

Survival (achieved by maximizing security, not necessarily relative power).

Uncertainty about intentions makes cooperation difficult and leads to competition.

Limited. Concerns about cheating and relative gains inhibit cooperation.

Security dilemma, which produces spirals of hostility. Uncertainty, miscalculation/overre action Conquest. Inefficient balancing leads to deterrence failures.

Attempt to signal benign intentions. Balanceinternally and externally

The security dilemma, the security dilemma, the security dilemma.

Offensive Realism
(System level) Example: J. Mearsheimer

States are unitary, rational actors in an anarchic international system.

Survival (achieved by maximizing relative power). Contrary to classical realism, power is a means to survival, not an end sought for itself. Survival (achieved by seeking both relative and absolute gains).

Uncertainty about intentions makes cooperation difficult and leads to competition.

Limited. Concerns about cheating and relative gains inhibit cooperation. Hard to maximize relative power through cooperation. Possible if facilitated by institutions (which reduce uncertainty) and interdependence (which raises the costs of conflict).

Maximize relative power. When faced with a threat, buckpass, then balance.

If you want to be safe, you need to become the most powerful state in the system. Anarchy isnt so bad. Cooperation is possible under the right circumstances.

Liberalism Institutions / Interdependence

(System level) Example: R. Keohane

States are unitary, rational actors in an anarchic international system.

Uncertainty about intentions makes cooperation difficult and leads to competition.

Absence of institutions and economic interdependence.

Seek to create international institutions and foster economic interdependence.

Liberalism Democracy
(State level) Example: M. Doyle

International system is anarchic, but states are not billiard balls. Internal characteristics are significant. States are not necessarily unitary or rational, and they are not the only relevant actors. Anarchy is socially constructed.

Survival (achieved by seeking both relative and absolute gains).

Uncertainty about intentions makes cooperation difficult and leads to competition.

Democracies are more likely to cooperate with each other and avoid violent conflict for institutional and/or normative reasons. Through discourse, international politics can be transformed into a more cooperative culture.

Bad states. Absence of democracies.

Spread democracy.

Liberal democracies dont fight wars against each other.

Constructivism
(System level) Example: A. Wendt

Variable and socially constructed. Interests defined by ideas as much as material factors.

The conduct of international politics is determined largely by ideas, norms, identities, and discourse: can be competitive or cooperative.

Norms that promote conflict. Conflicting identities.

Work to reconstruct the culture of anarchy that dominates in international politics, through discourse, behavior, and norms.

Anarchy is what states make of it.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes. Make sure you know whats going on in the world.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes. Make sure you know whats going on in the world. Think of how concepts and readings relate to each other. (Synthesize, dont just memorize).

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes. Make sure you know whats going on in the world. Think of how concepts and readings relate to each other. (Synthesize, dont just memorize).

On Test Day:

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes. Make sure you know whats going on in the world. Think of how concepts and readings relate to each other. (Synthesize, dont just memorize).

On Test Day:
Pace Yourself.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

Final Bits of Advice

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Before the Test:

Review the readings. Review your lecture notes. Make sure you know whats going on in the world. Think of how concepts and readings relate to each other. (Synthesize, dont just memorize).

On Test Day:
Pace Yourself. Dont Mind-Dump.

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

See you on Tuesday.

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Any Questions?

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations

See you on Tuesday.

Introduction to International Relations Yu-Ming Liou Exam Format Grading Procedures Example Questions Conclusion

Any Questions? Good Luck!

Yu-Ming Liou

Introduction to International Relations