Political Science –International Relations

Preparing for the Final

What causes what? (Look at slide!)
	The course is mainly about competing answers that explain an outcome, pattern, effect, etc.
		Competing explanations to explain world politics

Parts and Wholes Slides
	States and non-state actors are the Parts
	International System is the Whole
	ORGANIZING PRINCIPLES
	Realist argues that organizing principle is anarchy
	Constructivist’s organizing principle is world political culture

There has been a growth of states and they are still the main actors in international politics

Consequences of Anarchy – already have in notes
	Define world political culture

Driving Forces and Levels of Analysis
	Levels of analysis classify causes and the driving force defines what influences the cause

Power is:
-  Multidimensional
- Deeply embedded in complex relationships
- Tied to historical context – different times in history sources of power were different

Huntington’s sources of (super)power: (multidimensional)
- Military capability
- Productive Capacity
- Financial Resources
- Etc.

Know the currency of power change – INNOVATION

Three Interpretations of Interdependence
1. Realists: Increases the probability of conflict... Why?
2. Neoliberals: Conflicts arise from interdependence but can be managed (by creating institutions)
3. Commercial Liberals: Benefits all parties. The deeper the interdependence, the more both parties gain and the more expensive it becomes to break the relationship

IR scholars ask questions about:
- War
- Peace
- Cooperation
- Alliances among states
- Global Distribution of Wealth
- Foreign Policy
- Global Political Culture
- International Law
- International Organizations
- International Negotiations
- Rules Governing the Global Economy

Realism, Neoliberal Institutionalism, Commercial Liberalism, Democratic Peace Approach, Radical Approach, Constructivism, Foreign Policy Approach – these answer the questions which are asked about the topics above

Theory vs. Policy Ideas
	Theories seek to explain the way world politics works
	Policy Ideas prescribe what leaders should do (are based on theories)

Format of Final – 
       Identify basic terms from course and give their significance
       Section on the readings – Last name of author and main points
       	Question they address, response to question, is it a counterargument?
       Conceptual and Theoretical 
       Conceptual – Anarchy, Driving Force and Levels of Analysis
       Theoretical – Approaches
       Short Essay?

Foreign Policy Approach – Second Level of Analysis
Constructivism – Third Level, Global Political Culture
	World Political Culture is changing
	International norms and changes in norms
	Beliefs changing the way leaders think
	End of Cold War why was there Peace? Risse piece, liberal security community
Radical Approach – The Marxist Approach
	Frank Piece – Problems of the world stem from Global Economy (capitalist economy)
	Wade Piece looking at World Bank