Realist Theory in International Relations: Power Balance and Wars, Quizzes of International Business

Download Realist Theory in International Relations: Power Balance and Wars and more Quizzes International Business in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Anarchy DEFINITION 1 Anarchy is the absence of structured order and authority. A main premise of realist theory is that anarchy prevails in the international system due to the absence of a central authority. TERM 2 Balance of Power DEFINITION 2 In realist theory, balance of power is variously defined as: -A distribution of power favoring one side or another -An equal distribution of power -Any distribution of power TERM 3 Hegemonic War Theory DEFINITION 3 A war in which a declining hegemon and a rising power contest each other for the dominant position in the international hierarchy. The resolution of the war results in a new international system reflecting the emergent distribution of power in the system. The main idea in the theory is that the fundamental dynamic in international relations is changes in the differential level of power between major states. (Gilpin, The Theory of Hegemonic War) (note: change= almost beyond the ability of statesman to control) TERM 4 Melos DEFINITION 4 Melos is an island north of Crete. When the island refused Athenian demands to enter a tribute-paying relationship and instead sought to remain neutral in the Peloponnesian War, the Athenians invaded the island, put to death all the men of military age whom they took, and sold the women and children as slaves. (Thucydides, History of the Peloponnesian War) TERM 5 Pericles DEFINITION 5 Pericles was a political and military leader of Athens from 461 B.C. to 429 B.C. TERM 6 Corcyra DEFINITION 6 Modern Corfu, Corcyra was a city state in Ancient Greece. In the 5th Century B.C., Corcyra sought alliance with Athens to assist Corcyras conflict with Corinth (the original colonizers of Corcyra). The Athenian decision for alliance with Corcrya was one of the factors that ultimately led to the second Peloponnesian War. TERM 7 Corinth DEFINITION 7 An independent ally of Sparta in Ancient Greece. Corinthian conflict with Athens over Corcryas policies was an important cause of the Peloponnesian War. TERM 8 Epidamnus DEFINITION 8 Epidamnus was a remote city outside the alliances of Sparta and Athens, located in modern-day Albania. After democrats in Epidamnus revolted against the ruling oligarchy in Epidamnus in 436 B.C., Corinth supported the democrats while Corcyra supported the exiled oligarchs. Thus, the Epidamnus crisis sparked the rapid development of the Corinth-Corcyra rivialry, which eventually helped lead to the outbreak of the second Peloponnesian War. TERM 9 Megara DEFINITION 9 An important port city in Ancient Greece which sat on a strategic pass, and originally an ally of Sparta. When Megara was at war with Corinth in the 5th century B.C., the Megarians withdrew from the Spartan alliance and joined with Athens in exchange for help against Corinth. Athenian control of Megara would pose a threat to Sparta because of both its strategic purpose and its symbolic purpose. TERM 10 Megarian Decree DEFINITION 10 An economic embargo by Athens against Megara, allegedly provoked by the Megarians cultivation of lands sacred to the Athenians, by illegal encroachment on borderlands, and by the Megarians harboring of fugitive slaves. The purpose of the embargo was to deter future Megarian aid to Corinth against Athens. In final efforts at a negotiated peace before the outbreak of the second Peloponnesian War, the Spartans said that if Pericles were to lift the Megarian Decree, there would be no Spartan- Athenian war. TERM 21 What are the elements of a states power? DEFINITION 21 -Military Size -Reputation -Allies -Economy TERM 22 Describe the stages of the hegemonic cycle DEFINITION 22 (From the Gilpin article, Theory of Hegemonic War, p. 595: 1. Relatively stable intl system characterized by hierarchical ordering of states in system 2. Disproportionate power growth of a subordinate (non-hegemonic) state 3. That state comes into conflict with the hegemon 4. Struggle between the two states and their respective allies leads to a bipolarization of the system 5. Inevitable crisis 6. Hegemonic war 7. Resolution of the war, and establish of a new international system reflecting the new distribution of power TERM 23 According to Gilpin, what stabilizes the international system? What disrupts the system? DEFINITION 23 -a hierarchy of power stabilizes the system -a disproportionate growth in power of a subordinate state disrupts the system TERM 24 According to Thucydides, why do people go to war? DEFINITION 24 States go to war out of concern for honor, fear, and interest. TERM 25 Was the Peloponnesian War inevitable? DEFINITION 25 -Thucydides: YES -Gilpin: YES -Kagan: NO TERM 26 Athens' Infrastructures DEFINITION 26 -political structure= imperial democracy -economic structure= imperialism (workshop of ancient Greece, exporting manufactured products and commodities in exchange for grain) -military structure= naval power TERM 27 Sparta's Infrastructures DEFINITION 27 -political structure= monarchic, oligarchic, and democratic features -economic structure= helots (slaves--Messenians) farmed the land, while perioikoi (conquered neighbors) engaged in the small amount of commerce Sparta needed -military structure= everything (economy, social structure, family life, etc.) subordinated to the military, Sparta was a land power. TERM 28 Athens' Interests DEFINITION 28 a. Expansion of the empire b. International trade c. Naval supremacy d. Maintaining alliances TERM 29 Sparta's Interests DEFINITION 29 a. Peace (war raised the possibility of a helot revolt with assistance from Argos) b. Alliance stability c. Maintenance of the status quo d. Maintenance of the Spartan way of life TERM 30 What are the different types of foreign policies? DEFINITION 30 1. Status quo 2. Imperialism 3. Prestige TERM 31 Sparta's Foreign Policy DEFINITION 31 Sparta: status quo, prestige TERM 32 Athen's Foreign Policy DEFINITION 32 imperialism, prestige TERM 33 What initially prompted Spartas fear of Athenss growing power? DEFINITION 33 Athenian performance in the Persian War TERM 34 What arguments did Athens use in order to get Melos to surrender? DEFINITION 34 Arguments used by Athens to try to persuade Melos to surrender: -The will of the gods -The inevitable Athenian conquest -The remoteness of support of Sparta -The futility of resisting the power of Athens TERM 35 What arguments did the Melians use in the Melian Dialogue? DEFINITION 35 Arguments used by the Melians: -Refusal to become slaves - Help of the gods -Ethical behavior -Self-determination