INTERNATIONAL POLITICS PHD COMPREHENSIVE EXAM: FEBRUARY 2007

Part 1: Answer one of the following three questions.

1. John Lewis Gaddis wrote, "Theories provide a way of packaging patterns from the past in such a way as to make them usable in the present as guides to the future." Do you agree or disagree with his view? Why or why not? In your answer, be sure to compare your view with at least two other perspectives on the purpose of theory that may be found in the international relations literature. Make sure to discuss individual authors.

2. E.H. Carr once wrote that "it is as fatal in politics to ignore power as it is to ignore morality." How would neorealists, neoliberals, and constructivists respond to that quote? Which view do you agree with, and why? Make sure to discuss at least one individual author in each category.

3. Pick an international problem facing the world today and explain its sources and effects from realist/neorealist, liberal, and constructivist points of view, citing specific authors/arguments in each category. Is one of these perspectives more useful or compelling than the other? If so, why?

Part 2: Answer two of the following five questions.

1. What are the causes of war between states? Describe, compare, and contrast at least three different arguments that seek to answer this question. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each perspective?

2. International relations theorists tend to view international organizations as either actors or stages, and also disagree on whether IOs make a difference in how the world addresses global and regional problems. Discuss and evaluate at least three different approaches that have something to say about the role of IOs in global politics. Is one approach more compelling than the others? If so why? If not, why not?

3. Is international relations characterized, as Samuel Huntington claims, by a "clash of civilizations?" Will the major axes of conflict in the future involve the boundaries of civilizations? How would theorists from different schools of thought answer these questions. Identify three theorists who have (or would take) different positions on these questions and discuss their arguments. Which argument is most persuasive? Why?

4. Does globalization represent a major transformation in the conditions of world politics? How do three different international relations theories address the sources and impacts of globalization? What are the strengths and weaknesses of these different views?

5. What are the main elements of "human security"? How does the human security framework differ from the national security framework? Develop your answer with reference to any two of the following issues—war, terrorism, insurgencies, globalization, poverty, governance, immigration, the environment, and labor supply.