Professor

POL 3080 APPROACHES TO INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Fall 2014

University of Cincinnati

15-POL-3080-001

Midterm Exam I --Review Sheet

I. Introduction

• Definition of a theory

• What are the criteria of a good IR theory? How does it simplify the complexity and why is it moved from reality?

• Ontology and Epistemology

• Approaches to classifying theories:

IR Theories as debates. Discuss the first, second, third debate.

• Probabilistic and deterministic IR theories. Discuss examples.

II. Realism

• Core assumptions of realism.

• Three major realist frameworks (human nature, defensive, offensive).

• Morgenthau’s six principles of political realism.

• Policy of status quo, imperialism/revisionism and prestige.

• Core concepts and focus of defensive realism.

• Waltz’s definition of a system. Structure of the International System.

• International system: types (# of poles), sources and stability. Which is the most stable system according to Waltz? What are the other alternative views? What is the least stable system in IR?

• Offensive Realism’s Core Argument (actors, goals, variations of power and primacy of land power, regional and global hegemony).

• Offensive Realism and Power Maximization: different ways by which states maximize power.

Midterm Exam II --Review Sheet

III. Neoliberal approaches

• Common assumptions of the three liberal approaches.

• Complex Interdependence: assumptions, conceptual definitions.

• Measuring Interdependence (CI): sensitivity and vulnerability

• The Political Dynamic of CI: linkage strategies and agenda setting

• Realist critique of Complex interdependence

• Neoliberal Institutionalism (NLI): core assumptions, core argument, implications.

• Democratic Peace Theory (DPT) – focus, argument, assumptions and observations.

• Democratic Peace Theory (DPT): core premises

• DPT’s...