Nature, practice and study of global politics; theoretical perspectives practice questions.

Which theory examines the lasting effects of imperialism and Western dominance on formerly colonised societies?

• Post-colonialism
• Realism
• Liberalism
• Social constructivism

Answer: Post-colonialism

Post-colonialism (e.g. Edward Said's 'Orientalism') critiques enduring power imbalances and Western-centric narratives.

Constructivist theory would most likely explain the emergence of a norm like the Responsibility to Protect (R2P) by emphasising:

• Shared ideas, values and identities shape what states see as appropriate
• The fixed material distribution of global military and economic power alone
• The maximisation of trade profits by corporations
• The genetic inheritance of political leaders

Answer: Shared ideas, values and identities shape what states see as appropriate

Constructivism argues interests are socially constructed and norms can reshape state behaviour, unlike realism's focus on fixed material power.

In the school of thought known as realism, the primary actor in international relations is the

• multinational corporation
• sovereign state
• non-governmental organisation
• individual citizen

Answer: sovereign state

Realism treats sovereign states as the key rational actors pursuing power and security in an anarchic system.

The idea that power in the international system is measured mainly by military and economic capabilities is most associated with

• constructivism
• realism
• feminism
• post-colonialism

Answer: realism

Realists emphasise material, especially military and economic, capabilities as the basis of state power.

According to realist theory, the fundamental reason states cannot rely on one another's promises is:

• cultural and religious differences between nations
• the anarchic structure of the international system, which lacks an enforcer
• the growing influence of multinational corporations
• the repeated failure of states to negotiate, sign and ratify binding treaties

Answer: the anarchic structure of the international system, which lacks an enforcer

For realists, anarchy — the absence of a world government to enforce agreements — forces states into self-help and makes trust irrational; treaties alone cannot fix this.

When State A increases its armaments for defensive reasons, State B feels threatened and arms in response, leaving both states less secure than before. This dynamic is called:

• collective security
• the balance of trade
• deterrence failure
• the security dilemma

Answer: the security dilemma

The security dilemma is a core realist concept: under anarchy, one state's defensive measures are read as threatening by others, fuelling arms spirals nobody intended.