Study Questions based on Textbook/Lectures/Course Reader

Study Questions based on Textbook

See:

http://wps.pearsonlongman.com/long_goldstein_ir_10_cw/193/49502/12672533.cw/index.html

Study Questions based on Textbook/Lectures/Course Reader

1. What is the significance of International Relations as a field of study?

2. Who are the actors in international relations and how have their roles changed over the centuries?

3. What are the key differences between international and domestic politics?

4. What was the significance of the Peace of Westphalia?

5. How did the Congress of Vienna impact international relations in Europe?

6. Compare and contrast the Realist and Idealist/Liberal view of international relations. Which do you find more persuasive?

7. Compare and contrast the Realist, Idealist/Liberal, Constructivist, Feminist, and Neo-Marxist perspectives about the anarchic nature of the international system.

8. Explain the concept of balance of power and bandwagoning. Which policies are more desirable for states to adopt? Give historical and theoretical evidence.

9. If an international conference of states was held this year to discuss the future of the world order, would you recommend that the world community embrace a balance of power or a collective security approach? Why?

10. Think of a foreign policy decision taken by a state, and list the factors that might have influenced that decision at all of the levels of analysis. Which, if any, of the levels seems primary in this case and why?

11. To what extent can we say that the UN has fulfilled its purpose of maintaining peace and security in the international system? What reforms, if any, do you think could help the UN do a better job?

12. Why might an otherwise moral and ethical individual doubt the wisdom of the “human rights revolution”? To what extent are those doubts justified? Make sure to justify your claims with specific examples from both theory and practice.

13. In what ways is globalization altering the state and nature of international relations? In what ways might globalization undermine or vindicate the realist, idealist/liberal, and neo-marxist paradigms?

14. To what extent can we say that the UN has fulfilled its purpose of maintaining peace and security in the international system? What reforms, if any, do you think could help the UN do a better job?

15. Compare and contrast the Realist, Idealist/Liberal, Constructivist, Feminist, and Neo-Marxist perspectives about the anarchic nature of the international system.

16. Describe the history and progress of European integration. What tensions and opportunities do you foresee in the future of this project?

17. What are the major obstacles to successful peacekeeping operations? Has the record of UN peacekeeping been overall successful or unsuccessful, and why?

18. What are human rights? Is it possible for states to come to an agreement on the definition of "universal" human rights? How does the international community react to violations of human rights? Is the reaction effective? If not, what do you suggest would be an effective reaction?

19. Discuss the IMF and the World Bank. When and by whom were they created? What is their function, and has it changed over time? What criticisms are there of the two institutions?

20. Explain what makes a corporation multinational. What are the costs and benefits to countries that host a multinational corporation? Do the benefits outweigh the costs? Why or why not?

21. What is the most crucial issue facing the European Union today? Explain how you think the EU should address this issue. What are the implications for the United States?

22. What were the major steps the European Union took to achieve greater economic union? What are the obstacles to further integration? What are its drivers?

23. Discuss the affect of population growth on sustainable development and natural resources. What should be done to limit population growth, if anything?

24. "Import substitution is the most effective method for economic development in the third world." Agree or disagree, citing specific examples to support your position.

25. Describe the conditions that are often attached to loans from the IMF to third world countries. What are the costs and benefits of these conditions to the economy of the third world country? If you were a leader of a third world country, would you agree to the conditions? Why or why not?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-16