Contemporary International Relations Practice
Exam
Course Introduction
Contemporary International Relations explores the dynamic and multifaceted interactions among states, organizations, and actors on the global stage in the 21st century. This course examines key theories of international relations, analyzes current global issues such as security, globalization, economic interdependence, human rights, and environmental challenges, and assesses the roles of major powers, international organizations, and non-state actors. Through case studies, discussions, and critical analysis, students develop a nuanced understanding of ongoing geopolitical shifts, conflict and cooperation, and the challenges and opportunities shaped by rapid technological, political, and social transformations in the international system.
Recommended Textbook
Essentials of International Relations 8th Edition by Karen A. Mingst
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11 Chapters
711 Verified Questions
711 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: Approaches to International Relations
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Sample Questions
Q1) ________ posits that states define their interests in terms of power,while ________ argues that states' interests are malleable and ever-changing.
A) realism; constructivism
B) liberalism; realism
C) constructivism; liberalism
D) realism; liberalism
Answer: A
Q2) International relations
A) is not an interdisciplinary field.
B) is the study of the behavior and interaction of actors.
C) only uses concepts from political science.
D) does not use concepts from history or philosophy.
Answer: B
Q3) What does Rousseau's story of the stag and the hare illustrate?
A) that the "general will" governs states' behavior
B) that anarchy does not govern the international system
C) that states act based on their long-term interests
D) that states follow their short-term self-interests
Answer: D
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Page 3
Chapter 2: The Historical Context of Contemporary
International Relations
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Sample Questions
Q1) The authority of a state to govern matters within its own borders free from external interference is known as A) nationalism.
B) sovereignty.
C) hegemony.
D) realism.
Answer: B
Q2) The concept of legitimacy,which emerged in the aftermath of the American and French revolutions,implies that political power ultimately rests with A) the military.
B) the monarch.
C) the church.
D) the people.
Answer: D
Q3) In a popular referendum in 2016,Great Britain voted in favor of leaving the European Union.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Page 4
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Chapter 3: International Relations Theories
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Q1) The fact that India's development of nuclear weapons made Pakistan less secure,leading it to pursue nuclear weapons as well,illustrates
A) a lack of economic interdependence.
B) the security dilemma.
C) external balancing.
D) nuclear compellence.
Answer: B
Q2) Which theory argues that the amount of peace and war in the international system depends on the distribution of power in the system?
A) neorealism
B) liberalism
C) constructivism
D) dependency theory
Answer: A
Q3) Despite their many differences,both realism and liberalism view people as rational actors.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
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Page 5
Chapter 4: Levels of Analysis
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Q1) A study analyzing Tony Blair found that he had a strong belief about his own ability to control events and a high need for power accompanied by a low conceptual complexity.Following Margaret Hermann's personality classification scheme,what type of foreign policy orientation does this show Tony Blair had?
A) independent
B) participatory
C) controlling
D) nationalistic
Q2) Bipolar systems can be "balance of power" systems,but multipolar systems cannot.
A)True
B)False
Q3) Compare and contrast the role that the individual plays in international politics according to realists,liberals,and constructivists.Which of these theories do you think best captures the role that the individual plays in international politics? Why?
Q4) The personal characteristics of leaders can influence certain foreign policy decisions,but are not important in explaining war.
A)True
B)False
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6
Chapter 5: The State
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Sample Questions
Q1) When decisions heavily depend on precedent and major changes are unlikely,decision makers are likely to be following
A) a standard operating procedure.
B) the rational model of decision making.
C) public diplomacy.
D) a two-level negotiation.
Q2) France's export of military equipment to Saudi Arabia to build an alliance in the region is an example of
A) public diplomacy.
B) track-two diplomacy.
C) engagement.
D) compellence.
Q3) Which of the following perspectives highlights the high levels of trade between democracies as one explanation for the democratic peace?
A) realism
B) liberalism
C) constructivism
D) dependency theory
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Chapter 6: War and Security
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Q1) Deterrence is
A) the antithesis of balance-of-power theory.
B) a constructivist idea for how to manage insecurity.
C) the mechanism that enables the balance of power to bring about peace.
D) a liberal idea for how to manage insecurity.
Q2) "One for all and all for one" effectively captures the idea behind A) disarmament.
B) compellence.
C) balance of power.
D) collective security.
Q3) When states seek to prevent war by threatening the use of force,they are practicing A) deterrence.
B) compellence.
C) asymmetric warfare.
D) collective security.
Q4) A key characteristic of terrorism is that it is designed to be psychological in nature. A)True
B)False
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Chapter 7: International Cooperation and International Law
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Q1) Which of the following factors do realists and liberals both agree can drive compliance with international law?
A) individual self-interest
B) legitimacy
C) reciprocity
D) international institutions
Q2) The U.S.concern that its industries would be less competitive if the United States,but not India and China,were to participate in environmental agreements
A) illustrates the prisoner's dilemma problem.
B) shows that cooperation with environmental agreements is not possible.
C) illustrates the security dilemma.
D) illustrates the liberal view of the cooperation problem.
Q3) Do you think the International Court of Justice (ICJ)is an effective institution in eliciting compliance with international law? Why or why not? In constructing your answer,be sure to describe both the strengths and weaknesses of the institution.
Q4) There are no limitations on states' actions in its territorial waters.
A)True
B)False
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9
Chapter 8: International Political Economy
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Q1) Two key factors that contributed to the 2009 Eurozone crisis are
A) public-sector debt and trade imbalances.
B) public-sector debt and mortgage defaults.
C) derivative markets and public-sector debt.
D) derivative markets and trade imbalances.
Q2) Liberals argue that free trade and open markets are always in a state's best interest,but mercantilists/statists and radicals disagree with this contention.What alternatives to unfettered trade and markets do statists and radicals propose,and why? If you were the leader of a developing country,which of the three perspectives-liberal,statist,or radical-would you find most appealing,and why?
Q3) The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)differs from the EU in that NAFTA
A) has had a negative effect on the participating multinational corporations.
B) has no intended social,political,or security dimensions.
C) has led to little controversy.
D) includes countries of similar economic size.
Q4) The Bretton Woods institutions are reflecting ________ economic ideas.
A) radical
B) constructivist
C) liberal
D) mercantilist
Page 10
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Chapter 9: Intergovernmental Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations
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Q1) Over time the United Nations' mandate has shrunk from a broad notion of human security,including providing food and shelter for refugees,to the narrow realm of classical security,such as protecting national territory.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Which country with a majority-Muslim population has had extensive discussions about joining the European Union,but is not yet a member?
A) Iran
B) Poland
C) Turkey
D) Croatia
Q3) The United Nations was founded on which of the following principles?
A) Only international problems are within the jurisdiction of the United Nations.
B) The United Nations ensures equal representation of all member states in the Security Council.
C) The United Nations' primary responsibility is promoting global economic growth.
D) All United Nations decisions are legally binding on states.
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Page 11
Chapter 10: Human Rights
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Q1) The first global human rights movement was
A) the antislavery movement.
B) the movement against torture.
C) the movement to protect group rights.
D) the movement to protect civil and political rights.
Q2) Which of the following is true of the International Criminal Court?
A) It was first tasked with prosecuting individuals for war crimes committed in Yugoslavia and Rwanda.
B) Even heads of state and military leaders are not immune from its jurisdiction.
C) It deals with the crime of genocide,but not other war crimes.
D) It is supported by all states on the UN Security Council.
Q3) The Geneva Conventions (1949),some of the first international humanitarian laws with virtual universal approval,focus on protecting the rights of which group(s)?
A) wounded soldiers and prisoners of war
B) former slaves
C) women and children
D) refugees
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Chapter
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Sample Questions
Q1) Which of the following is true of the "demographic transition"?
A) The Malthusian dilemma has proven true: population growth rates have outstripped food production.
B) As women have become more educated and people have moved to urban areas,birth rates have dropped dramatically.
C) Population growth rates have continued to increase exponentially.
D) Improvements in economic development have led to higher death rates,and thus a decrease in the population growth rate.
Q2) Which of the following is true of liberals' view of the development gap?
A) They think the gap is impossible to change.
B) They think closing the gap will occur automatically as a consequence of population growth.
C) They think capitalist countries will work to prevent the closing of the gap.
D) They think closing the gap will lead to a self-reinforcing spiral of economic improvement and demographic balance.
Q3) Under international law,refugees can be forced to return to their country of origin.
A)True
B)False
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