International Relations: Idealism vs. Realism - Perspectives on Global Politics - Prof. Do, Study notes of Political Science

Download International Relations: Idealism vs. Realism - Perspectives on Global Politics - Prof. Do and more Study notes Political Science in PDF only on Docsity! Chapter Eleven International Relations Chapter Themes I. Using the Sputnik case to illustrate ways of framing international relations perspectives, the chapter opens with a discussion of idealism (also known as liberal idealism and/or liberalism) and realism as two models of analysis used in examining international relations. II. Idealism is a perspective which makes normative arguments and factual claims, asserts the need for moral principles in political affairs, stresses the possibilities for achieving peace through cooperation and international organizations, and notes the interdependence of the world’s governments. III. Realism is a perspective which may draw upon Machiavellian and Hobbesian notions of human nature in its claim that, given the reality of anarchy in the international system, governments find their interest best served by focusing on power, not morality, when making political decisions. IV. Political scientists are in disagreement on the matter of what will replace bipolarism. V. Three questions receiving extensive discussion in international relations are as follows: what should the UN’s role be defined as; what should NATO’s purpose be in the post- bipolar order? Questions for Class Discussion or Organized Debates 1. Should the U.S. oppose groups like the Taliban—that is, groups which violate human rights —or seek to develop formal relations with such groups? What has the Bush administration tried to do in this regard? Explain. 2. Should the UN intervene in countries to promote international peace, or is such intervention ultimately harmful to a peaceful world order, given the threats to state sovereignty? Explain. 3. Do you believe that the U.S. government has ever acted in such a manner which would have justified UN intervention into U.S. affairs? If so, when? If not, do you believe any other government has acted in such a manner and, if so, what government has so acted? 4. Should morality guide foreign policy making? If so, are there ever exceptions? If not, what makes one government any better than any other? Explain. Exam Questions: Essay Questions 1. Compare and contrast the major points of idealism and realism. Which would you prefer to see the Bush administration follow? 2. Discuss NATO by examining a) why it was formed, b) what was its original purpose, and c) what does it see as its purpose today? Exam Questions: Multiple Choice (correct answers underlined) 1. Realists and idealists agree on how to interpret U.S. responses to Sputnik. a. true b. false 2. ______ emphasize the utility of international organizations such as the United Nations in achieving peace among states a. idealists b. realists c. containment advocates 3. The Iriquois League represents an example of a. idealism b. realism c. anarchy d. bipolarism 4. _____ learn from the teachings of Machiavelli and Hobbes and stress that governments must gain and hold power relative to other states. a. idealists b. realists 5. The Truman Doctrine a. was first advanced to justify support for the Taliban b. is consistent with containment principles c. was used to argue against implementation of the Marshall Plan d. argues in favor of international anarchy 6. The end of bipolarsim has produced peaceful, secure international relations a. true b. false 7. Which of the following is more powerful? a. the UN General Assembly b. the UN Security Council c. the World Court d. the Iriquois League 8. Under conditions of international anarchy, democratic and nondemocratic governments face similar pressures to survive and tend to behave similarly in terms of foreign policy. This is an argument a. consistent with idealism b. consistent with realism c. consistent with arguments stressing human security over military security d. none of the above 9. _______ provided economic aid to Europe after World War II in a manner consistent with containment. a. the Warsaw Treaty b. the Taliban c. the Marshall Plan d. the Secretariat Plan 10. Political scientists and international political observers are in agreement that, with the end of the cold war, the international arena has become multipolar. a. true b. false 11. Can the World Court require states to participate in its proceedings and implement its decisions? a. yes b. no 12. With the collapse of the USSR, a. NATO was abolished b. all nuclear materials held previously by the USSR were transferred out of the region and to the U.S. c. NATO proceeded to establish links with the countries emerging out the collapse of the USSR d. both a and b 13. The Bay of Pigs invasion represented an example of a. how tensions surfaced under conditions of bipolarism b. how conflict can occur under unipolar conditions c. how conflict surfaced prior to the development of the idea of containment d. how conflict surfaced prior to the creation of NATO 14. The Bay of Pigs invasions convinced political scientists to abandon the use of models of analysis in studying international relations a. true b. false 15. UN activities have included a. programs to improve public health