Question 1

How has feminist theory influenced the study of international politics? How are women's lives affected by international politics?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How has feminist theory influenced the study...

Question 2

Feminist theory is most consistent with which theory of international relations?
A)Realism
B)Liberalism
C)Economic structuralism
D)Constructivism

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory in international relations often aligns with constructivism because both emphasize the importance of social constructs, identities, and the roles that ideas and beliefs play in shaping international relations. Constructivism acknowledges the impact of non-material factors, such as culture, norms, and identities, which aligns with feminist perspectives that highlight how gender roles and identities influence global politics.

Question 3

Feminist theories of international relations remain on the edge of conventional academic studies and policy discussions. In which areas have feminist approaches been influential? Why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Feminist theories of international relations remain on...

Question 4

Feminist empiricists point out that casualty statistics of warfare include killed and injured soldiers, but fail to include which of the following statistics?
A)The starvation of children and the rape of women
B)Battle deaths
C)The loss of crops and cattle
D)The loss of territory

Accepted Answer

Feminist empiricists argue that traditional casualty statistics of warfare often overlook the broader impacts on civilian populations, particularly on women and children, such as the starvation of children and the rape of women. These impacts are significant but frequently not counted in conventional warfare statistics.

Question 5

While liberalism and economic structuralism agree to a large extent that there is a large degree of collaboration among states, which of the following points do they fail to agree on?
A)The centrality of states as actors
B)That actors are self-interested
C)The positive effect of collaboration
D)The problem created by anarchy

Accepted Answer

Liberalism and economic structuralism agree that there is a large degree of collaboration among states, but they disagree on the positive effect of collaboration.

Question 6

What does feminist standpoint theory assert?
A)That women are excluded from theories of international politics, thus confusing human nature with masculine nature
B)That women have tended to be "invisible" in thinking about international politics
C)That all claims about truth, and especially claims about truth involving social relations, are social constructions
D)That jobs that are identified with women, such as "housewife," are devalued and hidden compared to those associated with men, such as "businessman"

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does feminist standpoint theory assert?
A)That women...

Question 7

To a certain extent, many theories share similar characteristics with constructivism. In particular, how do realism, liberalism, and economic structuralism identify with the constructivist argument?

Accepted Answer

The answer of To a certain extent, many theories share...

Question 8

As women are the primary breadwinners in many families and often work in factories owned by foreign companies, economic globalization affects them in what way?
A)Economic benefits are fairly distributed to women
B)Women receive benefits equal to that of men in the factories
C)Economic globalization has no impact on women
D)Women are disproportionately affected by changes of globalization

Accepted Answer

Economic globalization often leads to women being disproportionately affected due to gender wage gaps, precarious employment conditions, and the types of jobs they are more likely to hold in global supply chains.

Question 9

What is the main criticism of constructivism? How can this criticism be mitigated? Give examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main criticism of constructivism?...

Question 10

The impact of feminist thought in international politics has been most pronounced on which debate?
A)The debate about military power
B)The debate about the role of trade unions
C)The debate about the importance of education
D)The debate on development

Accepted Answer

Feminist thought has significantly influenced the debate on development by highlighting gender inequalities and advocating for women's rights and empowerment as crucial components of sustainable development.

Question 11

Power is interpreted differently by these theories of international politics. In particular, how would a feminist and a constructivist define power? Elaborate whether any particular branch within each theory would be most helpful in this analysis.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Power is interpreted differently by these theories...

Question 12

While postmodern feminists assert that all truth and moral views are socially constructed, other types of feminists believe which of the following?
A)Like postmodern feminists, they agree that all truth and moral views should be questioned.
B)They argue that postmodernism creates a situation where no one can say anything about truth, so there is no basis for deciding what should be agreed upon.
C)They claim that truth and morality are ambiguous and impossible to grasp.
D)They assert that the framing of questions sheds no light on our understanding of international politics.

Accepted Answer

B) Other types of feminists critique postmodernism for leading to relativism, where the absence of universal truths undermines the ability to make normative claims or achieve consensus on moral and ethical standards.

Question 13

How do feminist postmodernists differ from other feminist scholars?
A)Feminist postmodernists align themselves more closely with traditional liberals.
B)Feminist postmodernists assert that there is an identifiable truth that will be discovered.
C)Feminist postmodernists believe that all claims about truth are social constructions.
D)Feminist postmodernists insist on a more collaborative effort to realize their goals.

Accepted Answer

Feminist postmodernists distinguish themselves from other feminist scholars by arguing that all claims about truth are socially constructed. This perspective challenges the notion of an absolute or universal truth, emphasizing instead that our understanding of truth is influenced by social, historical, and cultural contexts. This contrasts with other feminist approaches that might seek to identify or assert universal truths about gender, power, and inequality.

Question 14

What are the three schools of thought within feminist theory? How do they compare to each other?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What are the three schools of thought...

Question 15

Consider the main assumptions of economic structuralism and constructivism and compare their explanations for the outbreak of war. Which do you think has more value?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Consider the main assumptions of economic structuralism...

Question 16

Which feminist school of thought is skeptical of all claims to objective truth?
A)Postmodernism
B)Standpoint theory
C)Feminist liberalism
D)Empiricism

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism is skeptical of all claims to objective truth, arguing that knowledge and truth are socially constructed rather than objective realities.

Question 17

Morgenthau treated realism as having universal laws. The feminist critic J. Ann Tickner argues that Morgenthau's theory should have emphasized which of the following?
A)Context and contingency
B)Unchanging traits of human nature
C)The constancy of power
D)Power and identity

Accepted Answer

Tickner argues that realism should consider context and contingency, recognizing that international relations are influenced by changing social and historical conditions, rather than being governed by universal laws.

Question 18

According to feminist theory, in what way does the artificial separation of private and public spheres result?
A)In ignoring the role of international institutions
B)In accurately reflecting human nature
C)In gender-based and gender-biased notions, such as that of the "state"
D)In the accounting of all costs of war

Accepted Answer

The artificial separation of private and public spheres in feminist theory is criticized for reinforcing gender-based and gender-biased notions, such as the concept of the "state" being associated with masculinity and public affairs, while the private sphere is often associated with femininity and undervalued. This separation contributes to the marginalization of women and the feminine in political and social discourse.

Question 19

What is the likely stance of postmodern feminists on the morality of female genital mutilation?
A)Western feminists should not impose their own standards on women in other societies.
B)All global efforts should be used to ban the practice.
C)It should be accepted as a religious practice.
D)The practice is an example of the oppression of women.

Accepted Answer

Postmodern feminists often emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences, arguing against imposing Western standards and values on other societies. They might argue that condemning practices like female genital mutilation from a Western perspective fails to appreciate the cultural context in which these practices occur.

Question 20

The definition of power as the ability of two or more actors to work together to achieve what they cannot achieve alone is supported by which theory?
A)Liberalism
B)Institutionalism
C)Feminism
D)Constructivism

Accepted Answer

The answer of The definition of power as the ability...

Quiz 4: Theories of International Relations: Economic Structuralism, Constructivism, and Feminism

How has feminist theory influenced the study of international politics? How are women's lives affected by international politics?

Feminist theory is most consistent with which theory of international relations?

Feminist theories of international relations remain on the edge of conventional academic studies and policy discussions. In which areas have feminist approaches been influential? Why?

Feminist empiricists point out that casualty statistics of warfare include killed and injured soldiers, but fail to include which of the following statistics?

While liberalism and economic structuralism agree to a large extent that there is a large degree of collaboration among states, which of the following points do they fail to agree on?

What does feminist standpoint theory assert?

To a certain extent, many theories share similar characteristics with constructivism. In particular, how do realism, liberalism, and economic structuralism identify with the constructivist argument?

As women are the primary breadwinners in many families and often work in factories owned by foreign companies, economic globalization affects them in what way?

What is the main criticism of constructivism? How can this criticism be mitigated? Give examples.

The impact of feminist thought in international politics has been most pronounced on which debate?

Power is interpreted differently by these theories of international politics. In particular, how would a feminist and a constructivist define power? Elaborate whether any particular branch within each theory would be most helpful in this analysis.

While postmodern feminists assert that all truth and moral views are socially constructed, other types of feminists believe which of the following?

How do feminist postmodernists differ from other feminist scholars?

What are the three schools of thought within feminist theory? How do they compare to each other?

Consider the main assumptions of economic structuralism and constructivism and compare their explanations for the outbreak of war. Which do you think has more value?

Which feminist school of thought is skeptical of all claims to objective truth?

Morgenthau treated realism as having universal laws. The feminist critic J. Ann Tickner argues that Morgenthau's theory should have emphasized which of the following?

According to feminist theory, in what way does the artificial separation of private and public spheres result?

What is the likely stance of postmodern feminists on the morality of female genital mutilation?

The definition of power as the ability of two or more actors to work together to achieve what they cannot achieve alone is supported by which theory?