Deck 4: Power and Influence in Global Society: Relations Between States

Question 1

The relational aspect of power is captured in Robert Dahl's classic definition:

A) who gets what,how and when.
B) absolute power corrupts absolutely.
C) the ability of A to get B to do something that B would not do otherwise.
D) follow the money.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

According to Hans Morgenthau,power is

A) the ability to control the behavior of other actors.
B) the ability to prevail in conflict and overcome obstacles.
C) a set of attributes or capabilities.
D) always the immediate aim of international politics,whatever the ultimate aim.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

The ability to overcome obstacles and influence outcomes is known as

A) power.
B) influence.
C) deterrence.
D) compellence.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Threats and promises only work if

A) they target a vulnerable actor.
B) they are accompanied by the support of allies.
C) they are backed by a willingness to carry out a threat.
D) a state is militarily stronger than the target state.

Question 5

Getting another country to continue not to do something is known as

A) power.
B) influence.
C) compellence.
D) deterrence.

Question 6

Successful compellence results in _______ while successful deterrence results in _______.

A) nothing happening;something happening
B) something happening;nothing happening
C) war;peace
D) peace;war

Question 7

Soft power includes

A) getting others to want what you want.
B) creating flexible agreements to solve common problems.
C) seizing control of the agenda at international conferences.
D) controlling other states without the use of military force.

Question 8

The widespread appeal of American culture,ideology and institutions results in

A) increased resentment among authoritarian states.
B) explicit exercises of power becoming unnecessary.
C) cultural imperialism.
D) the West winning the Battle of Ideas.

Question 9

Two forms of influence are

A) attributes and power.
B) power and compellence.
C) compellence and deterrence.
D) deterrence and attributes.

Question 10

Soft power is defined as

A) speaking softly but carrying a big stick.
B) softening demands to let and adversary "save face".
C) exercising influence through attraction as opposed to coercion.
D) none of the above.

Question 11

Influencing the agenda of issues under consideration is a form of

A) hard power.
B) compellence.
C) soft power.
D) influence.

Question 12

The attempt by the United States to influence the Soviet Union not to attack it or its allies with nuclear weapons is an example of

A) power.
B) Yankee ingenuity.
C) compellence.
D) deterrence.

Question 13

Capability and influence only become meaningful

A) when nations have the courage to use force.
B) when compared with the capabilities and influence of others.
C) when nations have resources and technology to advance their interests.
D) when nations have strong allies.

Question 14

Power is

A) the ability to overcome obstacles and influence outcomes.
B) the size of a military and the policies to support its use.
C) the ability to get someone to do something they otherwise would not do.
D) the ability to convince actors of the merits of a proposed plan.

Question 15

In the global system,technology

A) can overcome obstacles and limitations imposed on states by the natural resources available to them.
B) that exists in the system at any time is an important constraint on what is possible.
C) can expand a menu limited by earth's resources.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 16

Soft power includes

A) establishing international treaties.
B) influencing through attraction.
C) influencing through coercion.
D) using sticks rather than carrots.

Question 17

Which two characteristics make a system out of otherwise separate units?

A) Interaction and interdependence
B) Interdependence and sensitivity
C) Sensitivity and vulnerability
D) Vulnerability and interaction

Question 18

Geopolitics refers to

A) location and topographical features.
B) spatiality and distribution of capabilities.
C) state borders and political systems.
D) mineral resources and proximity to neighbors.

Question 19

Getting another country to stop an action it is already pursuing in order to force a result is known as

A) power.
B) influence.
C) compellence.
D) deterrence.

Question 20

During the 1973 Yom Kippur War,OPEC was successful in

A) compelling the United States to stop its airlift of military supplies to Israel.
B) compelling Israel to withdraw from occupied territories.
C) compelling the global community to support the creation of the nation-state of Palestine.
D) compelling the United States to adopt a more even handed policy.

Question 21

______ realists see nothing inherently irrational or perverse in aggressive or expansive foreign policies.

A) Preemptive
B) Aggressive
C) Offensive
D) Persuasive

Question 22

When states sign a neutrality agreement,they promise to

A) not take sides in disputes.
B) not to attack each other or give assistance to an attacker.
C) to move in the direction of Switzerland.
D) abide by all international law and treaties.

Question 23

If two states cooperate in security or military affairs under a formal written treaty,they are in

A) alignment with each other.
B) coalition with each other.
C) alliance with each other.
D) nonalignment with each other.

Question 24

A global system characterized by more than three actors is

A) unipolar.
B) bipolar.
C) tripolar.
D) multipolar.

Question 25

A stance of formal non-partisanship in global affairs during the Cold War was called

A) nonalignment.
B) neutrality.
C) harmonization.
D) realipolitik.

Question 26

The type of alliance defined simply by a common understanding is

A) defense pact.
B) non-aggression pact.
C) entente.
D) neutrality pact.

Question 27

The tendency for actors to cluster around the system's most powerful states is known as

A) hegemonic pull.
B) cluster gravitation.
C) polarization.
D) alliance formation.

Question 28

When two or more alliances form among a larger number of major powers,we say the system

A) has become polarized.
B) is dependent.
C) is integrated.
D) is static.

Question 29

The ________ between Germany and Russia during WWII is an infamous example of a non-aggression pact.

A) Molotov-Ribbentrop
B) Hitler-Stalin
C) Nazi-Soviet
D) Kaiser-Czar

Question 30

A global system characterized by two major actors is

A) unipolar.
B) bipolar.
C) tripolar.
D) multipolar.

Question 31

A large land mass

A) is the greatest determinant of state power.
B) does not impact state behavior.
C) is usually accompanied by a sizable agricultural and industrial base.
D) is a burden to a state in the modern,technologically advance age.

Question 32

The most common type of systems in the past have been

A) unipolar.
B) bipolar.
C) tripolar.
D) multipolar.

Question 33

If two states act cooperatively,displaying common behavior and attitudes toward other actors and issues,without a formal agreement,they are in

A) alignment with each other.
B) coalition with each other.
C) alliance with each other.
D) nonalignment with each other.

Question 34

Alliances are generally defined by these basic characteristics:

A) agreement to cooperate in security issues formalized in writing.
B) mutual expectations and shared political costs.
C) shared benefits and joint policy statements.
D) mutual security recognition and shared benefits.

Question 35

A global system characterized by a single major actor is

A) unipolar.
B) bipolar.
C) tripolar.
D) multipolar.

Question 36

If two states act in a similar way toward some third international actor,then they are in

A) alignment with each other.
B) coalition with each other.
C) alliance with each other.
D) nonalignment with each other.

Question 37

A policy of joining with the less strong is known as

A) harmonizing.
B) bandwagoning.
C) balancing.
D) acquiescing.

Question 38

How well a state mobilizes its resources is

A) an example of power transition.
B) an intangible measure of its power.
C) related to the size of its military.
D) often reflected in its policy statements.

Question 39

Allies in the Triple Entente of WWI were

A) Britain,Germany,and France.
B) Russia,Italy,and France.
C) France,Austria-Hungary,and Italy.
D) Britain,France,and Russia.

Question 40

Examples of a dangerous dyad are

A) India and Pakistan.
B) North Korea and Japan.
C) Syria and Egypt.
D) Cuba and the United States.

Question 41

The central feature of diplomacy is

A) the establishment of diplomatic missions.
B) communication and interaction among involved parties.
C) diplomatic immunity for all diplomats.
D) diplomatic protocol.

Question 42

Describe the central features and functions of diplomacy.Provide examples.

Question 43

If nation-states become more enmeshed in a web of world trade,they are

A) more autarkic within the international system and are likely to be more constrained in their behavior.
B) more autarkic within the international system and are likely to be less constrained in their behavior.
C) more vulnerable within the international system and are likely to be more constrained in their behavior.
D) less vulnerable within the international system and are likely to be less constrained in their behavior.

Question 44

The unilateral rejection of many international agreements by the George W.Bush administration is likely to be interpreted as

A) arrogance of power.
B) necessity.
C) ignorance.
D) defiance.

Question 45

International organizations can help in resolving conflicts between opponents because

A) the legitimacy of such an organization may be the only thing both sides recognize.
B) they have the unquestioned authority to settle conflicts.
C) they have the ability to enforce their findings.
D) they are always successful at resolving all types of disputes.

Question 46

What is soft power? How is it used? Is it effective? Explain.

Question 47

What are the intangible elements of national capabilities? Provide examples.

Question 48

The 2003 Iraq war was justified by

A) offensive realists.
B) offensive idealists.
C) defensive realists.
D) defensive idealists.

Question 49

Explain the difference between compellence and deterrence.Which strategy is more useful?

Question 50

Liberal critics of the 2003 Iraq War opposed _______;realist critics opposed the _________.

A) the United Nations;European Union
B) unilateral means;utopian ends
C) NATO;Warsaw Pact
D) bilateral force;unilateral means

Question 51

What are the differences between geopolitical and technological settings of nation-states? Which is more important? Explain.

Question 52

The first stage of negotiation is

A) to ensure that objective incompatibilities do not exist.
B) to bargain over the actual terms of the agreement.
C) to establish parliamentary diplomacy and verify national technical means.
D) based on the commitment to deal in good faith.

Question 53

Describe the three main types of alliances.Provide examples.

Question 54

For successful resolution of conflict,each side must

A) identify the genuine differences between them.
B) avoid taking positions that establish favorable bargaining positions.
C) be willing confront issues in dispute in an atmosphere of respect.
D) All of the above are true.

Question 55

The rules of protocol of diplomacy were established

A) to reduce conflicts over rank and status of diplomats.
B) to create opportunities to pool funds.
C) to regularize the process of reaching consensus.
D) to promote the use of non-violent resolution.

Question 56

The form of diplomacy that includes both regular meetings of the permanent representatives of an international body as well as informal discussions among diplomats of member states is known as

A) hybrid diplomacy.
B) shuttle diplomacy.
C) parliamentary diplomacy.
D) traditional diplomacy.

Question 57

What is the difference between power and influence? Provide examples.

Question 58

How does polarity relate to international stability? Explain.

Question 59

"Alliances provide both opportunities and constraints".Explain.

Question 60

The George W.Bush administration argued that a liberated Iraq would be

A) easier to control.
B) more likely to democratize.
C) a beacon of hope for others.
D) more likely to join U.S.alliances.