1. What is the definition of a state, or nation-state, in International Affairs, noting specifically all of its component parts? Provide examples of internationally-recognized states that may be lacking one of each of the component parts, describing on what basis it may be lacking that part. On what basis might one consider states to be the primary actors in International Affairs? What does the term “sovereignty” mean and what does it imply for the existence of a “world government” and the power of non-state actors like IGOs, NGOs, and MNCs?
2. Two long-term trends in international affairs are 1) an increase in the number of nation-states and 2) globalization across a variety of dimensions (social, political and economic). In a separate paragraph devoted to each trend, explain why we might be observing this international phenomenon and discuss whether and why this trend has greater positive or negative effects for cooperation within the international system. In a third paragraph, discuss whether these two trends are in conflict with each other? If they are in conflict, then which trend will ultimately prevail and why? If they are not in conflict with each other, then why not?
3. One option in international trade is to open your domestic market to foreign producers. Why would a free trader favor this option, even when foreign countries have not opened their markets to your domestic producers? Why would a mercantilist not favor this option especially when foreign countries have not opened their markets to your domestic producers? What would a free trader say about the importance of maintaining a trade surplus? What would a mercantilist say about the importance of low prices in the domestic market?
4. Realists and institutionalists disagree about the importance, or value-added, of institutions (IGOs) to international affairs. What do realists believe about institutions and why? What do institutionalists believe about institutions and why? Which perspective do you find to be more persuasive and why? Provide a detailed example of a specific IGO and explain how it fits with your favored perspective?
5. The prisoner’s dilemma (PD) is a structure that may characterize many interactions in international affairs. Draw the game and explain why choosing the D option is a dominant strategy for both players. What will be the likely outcome if the PD game is played only once and why? If the PD game is played multiple times, or iterated, then on what basis might CC become a more likely outcome?
6. How does social identity theory explain inter-group rivalries in international affairs? How does intergroup contact theory predict that these inter-group rivalries might be reduced? Identify two different sorts of activities in international affairs that might be consistent with the latter theory and explain how they might fit the criteria for structured contact.
7. What are the three pieces describing the “democratic peace”? Think of a war that might contradict the first piece and discuss how the warring parties do or do not fit the definition of a democracy. What explanation for the democratic peace do you find to be the most persuasive, discussing why you believe that it is more persuasive than the other two explanations?
8. Social class is a key concept in Marxism. How can this concept be applied to the international system of states and what states belong to what classes? On what basis is Marxism either an optimistic or pessimistic approach to understanding the current international system, providing examples consistent with your conclusion? What would a Marxist say about the major IGOs created post-WWII, such as the World Trade Organization and International Monetary Fund? If there is a “democratic peace,” then what explanation would a Marxist offer for it and why?
9. In a general way, Pevehouse and Goldstein consider “the bureaucratic agencies that states maintain for developing and carrying out their foreign policy.” In class, we considered the same specifically in reference to the United States. Focusing on American foreign security policy, discuss the following four bureaucracies: the National Security Council, the Department of State, the Department of Defense, and the Central Intelligence Agency. With a paragraph devoted to each, what functions does this bureaucracy perform related to foreign security policy, where it is located, and who are the specific individuals currently in charge of it (i.e., names)? In terms of the latter, there may be more than one individual that needs to be mentioned (e.g., Secretary of Defense and Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the DOD).
10. In class, we discussed three different feminist approaches to international affairs. In a separate paragraph devoted to each approach, explain the underlying logic, how it differs from the other feminist perspectives, and what it tends to predict in terms of international conflict/cooperation. Which approach do you find more persuasive and why, providing an example that fits with your chosen feminist approach?
11. Pevehouse and Goldstein discuss six types of conflicts of interest/ideas. Identify which three types you find to be the most persuasive as potential sources of interstate war. For each of these three types, give a brief description of what this type of conflict does/does not entail and then provide two examples, including one that resulted in war and another that did not.
12. From each of the four levels of analysis, construct a brief explanation, or theory, for interstate war. Make sure that this theory is not simply an explanation for international conflict, but explains why some conflicts lead to war (while others do not). Provide a real-world example to illustrate each explanation (explaining carefully how this example fits the theory).
