International Politics
Fall 2006

Please be sure to demonstrate your knowledge of the field by discussing a wide range of scholars as you answer these questions.

Part 1. Answer one of the following three questions

1.  What is anarchy and why does it matter to the study of international relations?  In your answer, discuss definitions of anarchy, differing approaches (realist, liberal, English School, etc.) to understanding the anarchical or non-anarchical nature of the international system, and the embedded assumptions of these understandings of anarchy.

2.  "We have treated theories as tools to attain the goals and values which we have.  But now we must ask . . .theory also to tell us whether we ought to have these goals, or whether to change them.  Here . . .theory returns to . . .philosophy and . . .wisdom."  Do you agree or disagree with this statement?  How do different schools of thought understand theory and its purpose? Which approach do you agree with most, and why?  Make sure you ground your answer with specific examples from the literature.

3.  How do different school of thought study change in the international system?  In your answer, compare and contrast at least three schools of thought, and illustrate how these schools of thought would look at a particular kind of change (e.g., increased terrorism, decline of a major power, or increased interdependence).  What needs to be done to improve our theoretical and empirical understanding of major system change?

Part II.  Answer two of the following five questions:

4.  Is military force an effective means of achieving goals in the contemporary world? Has its effectiveness changed in recent years? Are there goals which military force cannot achieve? Be certain to discuss specific examples of goals and strategies in your answer.  What theories of international relations best explain the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of military force?

5.  States sometimes integrate with one another, and they sometimes break apart.  Why?  How does identity play a role in the integration or dissolution of states?  What roles do interest and power play?  In your answer, be sure to discuss at least two different theoretical perspectives on this issue.

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

7.  What does the term "global governance" mean?  Does it suggest something different than "international regime?"  Critically analyze the scholarly literature on global governance and discuss how the term relates (or does not relate) to one of the following issue areas: protecting human rights, protecting the environment, disaster relief/humanitarian aid, stopping civil war, or regulating capital flows.

8.  What is globalization? What causes globalization? What does globalization cause? Give two or three perspectives on the answers to these questions and critically evaluate each.