We started out the semester with some basic terminology in IR. I explained that the world’s nation states are in a state of ANARCHY. What does that mean?
Which of the following would be the best example of QUANTITATIVE data.
( Technically, everything can be quantified if you try hard enough. But, I’m using this question to see if you know the difference between qualitative and quantitative. )
The United Nations, World Bank, and European Union are all:
4. The parliament of Freedonia is debating a bill to reduce carbon emissions, specifically raising the emissions standards for cars. One member of parliament argued that the new standards are necessary to fight climate change. However, another member of parliament warned that new emissions standards would likely slow down the Freedonian economy. This debate is a good example of:
If a nation-state or individual is making decisions in terms of perceived SELF-INTEREST, we describe that nation-state or individual as
Chapters 2-4 focused specifically on ideologies. However, I’m incorporating the ideological perspectives into the questions on IPE, terrorism, environmental, and humanitarian concerns.
CHAPTER 7 – International Political Economy
6. I started talking about IPE by saying, “We live in a post-WWII world.” Which of the following is the best summary of what I mean?
A good example of what I am talking about in Question 6 is:
[In case you forgot, question 6 said: I started talking about IPE by saying, “We live in a post-WWII world.” Which of the following is the best summary of what I mean?]
If you call yourself an IR realist, you would likely support which of the following in terms of IPE (Hint – it’s what the guys who worked in a metals factory supported in the VICE video about the U.S. economy):
How did the Marshall Plan reflect a change in mentality after WWII?
In IPE, __________________________ is a formal institution and __________________________ is an informal institution.
Answer choice
First blank
Second blank
A.
United Nations
World Bank
B.
World Bank
International Monetary Fund
C.
U.S. global dominance
World Trade Organization (fmr. GATT)
D.
World Bank
The $ as the de facto global currency
E.
Perception of U.S. as global leader
The European Union
Why did realist economic thinking (mercantilism) fall out of favor after WWII?
(We didn’t talk about it this way specifically. That’s intentional. I’m seeing if you can open Chapter 7 or your book and look at your notes and deduce the answer.)
The intention of institutions like the World Bank and IMF are designed to combat global poverty. However, what is one criticism of these institutions?
(Again, the correct answer choice isn’t worded the exact same way as I said it in your notes. If you understand the concept from the book for the PowerPoints, you should be able to deduce the correct answer even if the same concept is worded differently.)
If you are concerned about that [your answer to number 12, above], then you likely embrace:
(The answer for this one IS something explicit that was explicitly defined in your notes. So, if you got the arc of the lecture – the general meaning of things – then you can deduce 13 from your answers for 6 – 12.)
Why is GDP an important but inadequate way of determining how well a country’s economy is doing? [Hint: the Vice video talked about this, too. I also talked about this using the hypothetical country of Freedonia in the PPT. And, it’s in Chapter 7.]
And, your answer choice to #14 above is a good example of:
In IPE, which IR ideology embraces free trade as a way to build a more peaceful and prosperous world?
Why is it better for countries to trade with each other rather than rely solely on domestic (internal) trade.
In class, we watched a video about Cobalt and other materials that go into batteries. The World Bank has invested heavily in the Congo but the Congolese people are still desperately poor. Consider the following takes on foreign aid to the Congo:
Rick says: When the World Bank pumps money into the Congo, it only perpetuates a pattern of dependency and exploitation. The aid is well-intentioned, but what we see in the Congo scenario is an example of the same countries benefiting and the same countries being exploited. Richer countries should cycle money through the developing world. The people who live in the global south do not accumulate wealth.
Morty says: Ah geez, Rick, like why are we even trying to fight poverty in the Congo. Our infrastructure here in the U.S. is a mess. People in Detroit have not had safe tap water for years. Our social safety net is crumbling. Why keep pouring money into the Congo when our own people are suffering here at home? The government should protect hardworking Americans’ jobs, not give money away to other countries.
Summer says: But we have to at least try to fight poverty in the Congo. If we don’t provide foreign aid, the Congo will never develop into a stable, functional democracy. By helping the Congolese economy grow, we are creating a peaceful ally and making it less likely the Congo will fall to authoritarianism. We do better when they do better. Imagine a world in which many rich countries could all contribute to cancer research. Imagine how much faster we would have a cure for cancer. We can help make that world a reality by helping Congo climb out of poverty.
Which of the following assigns the correct ideological label to the people above?
Answer choice
Rick
Morty
Summer
A.
Liberal
Realist
Constructivist
B.
Liberal
Constructivist
Realist
C.
Constructivist
Liberal
Realist
D.
Realist
Liberal
Constructivist
E.
Constructivist
Realist
Liberal
(I’m really hoping Canvas doesn’t shuffle the answer choices. For this question, it helps to do the voices.)
That’s the end of the Chapter 7 questions… turn now to Chapter 8…
CHAPTER 8 – Terrorism
Then, we moved onto the chapter on terrorism. We started the lectures on that chapter by saying, “The problem with terrorism is definitional.” Which of the following is the best summary of what is meant by that statement?
Why does that matter [your answer to number 19, above]?
Then, we moved on to another big question: What legitimizes military action? Which of the following is the best way to reword that question in a way that retains its essential meaning?
What is a realist’s preferred approach to combatting terrorism?
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Why is it so hard to police and prevent potential terrorism at an individual level?
That’s it for terrorism. I didn’t ask about it as much because it’s really depressing in these trying times. Flip ahead to Chapter 9…
CHAPTER 9 – Environmentalism
After terrorism we moved on the environmentalism. I made a distinction between depletion and contamination. Which of the following is a good example of depletion?
Climate change is…
When we say climate change is verified by science, we mean:
In class, we talked about different approaches to combating climate change. What is a downside to addressing climate change with greater international cooperation among nation-states?
IR liberals recognize we’re all in this together and no issue affects the whole global community quite like climate change. They want everyone to pitch in and help fight it. What is a criticism of that mentality.
Which of the following reflects a realist’s assumption about fighting climate change?
And now… flip forward to the next chapter for a few questions about humanitarian crises. Yay!
CHAPTER 10 – Humanitarian Crises
We managed to fit in a couple quick lectures on humanitarian concerns before we ran out of time. Again, we visit the statement, “We live in a post WWII world.” However, now there’s a contradiction in the lessons learned from WWII. How does that relate to humanitarian concerns? In other words, after WWII, the UN was created. And, the UN serves some really good purposes. It has some basic principles based on lessons learned from WWII… but those principles might contradict each other or get in each other’s way sometimes. This makes intervention to stop something like a genocide difficult. Why?
Lynne Cheney said the following:
“The U.S. should stay out of other states’ business. Let them manage their internal affairs however they want. We can’t fix every problem, and our first priority should be our state. I’m sorry people in other places are suffering, but what does that have to do with me? It’s not feasible to help everyone, everywhere. So, I can feel lucky that I live among relative peace and prosperity without feeling a sense of obligation to solve every problem.”
The best IR ideological label for Cheney’s sentiments are:
(She feels bad that people are suffering but doesn’t think it’s America’s responsibility to help. It’s some other country’s. Lynne Cheney is the wife of the former Vice President, but you don’t need to know that to answer this question.)
Solid intelligence and first-person accounts support the accusation that ___________________ currently runs reeducation camps that may count as a humanitarian crisis.
33. But, if that were true about that country [your answer to #32], why would it be difficult to activate R2P to intervene?
34. Which IR ideology most strongly supports the notion that everyone is responsible to alleviate the suffering of other human beings regardless of any practical, national interest, diplomatic, or economic concerns because we are all essentially the same – sentient beings experiencing reality?
35. In class I mentioned that the humanitarian crises that usually cause the most conflict are ones in which a large group of people has to leave where it lives and travel en masse to another country. Even if the host country is benevolent, it is still challenging to take in large numbers of refugees. What’s the name for the concern I’m describing?
36. In class, I mentioned that terrorism, environmental problems, and humanitarian crises are all interconnected. Climate change contributed to a drought in Syria. Farmers’ crops failed and many people moved into cities looking for work. An economic downturn inspired many Syrians to protest against President Assad. His military shot at his own people after Assad called peaceful protestors “terrorists.” It’s a good example of “terrorism” being used conveniently. China says what it is doing to the Uighur population is “fighting terrorism” because it knows that’s a good cover story.
Even though Assad committed warcrimes, Russia blocked the vote to activate R2P over and over again. Assad is still in power. When opposition forces organized against Assad, he strategically let ISIS members out of prison to blend in so it was difficult to know whom to attack. Here’s a good video about the backstory of Syria. Please watch it (Links to an external site.). Yes, it’s a few years old now, but the Trump years were years of confusion and inaction in terms of foreign policy, so we sort of set the clock back four years with the new Biden administration.
This is all important information that summarizes the second half of the course, but I can’t figure out how to turn it into a question. So, watch the video after you read that paragraph.
Did you read all that?
back to…
THE FIELD IN GENERAL
37. As we wrap up the semester, reflect for a moment on some overarching themes. What is one major theme revisited throughout the semester from our first analogy of finding a wallet at the bus stop to alleviating humanitarian crises?
38. And as we ponder the ideological perspectives, what’s one takeaway emphasized in the course.
You’re really excited about that class you signed up for. That’s why you spent money to take it. Just one question:
Should you buy the textbook?
Fun fact: the author of your textbook went to high school with this hot slab of daddy. (Hint: he’s the leader of a country that’s currently threatening Ukraine.)
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