Question 1

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

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Question 2

Power is interpreted differently by these theories of international politics. In particular, how would a feminist and a constructivist define power?

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

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

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Question 4

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

Women are disproportionately affected by changes of globalization as they often face discrimination, lower wages, and poor working conditions compared to men in the same factories. Additionally, globalization can lead to the displacement of traditional gender roles and cultural norms, which can have negative consequences for women's economic opportunities and social status.

Question 5

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 6

Realists and liberals agree on all the following points except
A) the centrality of states as actors.
B) self-interested actors.
C) the positive effect of collaboration.
D) the problem created by anarchy.

Accepted Answer

Realists and liberals differ on the positive effect of collaboration. While liberals believe that cooperation and interdependence between states can lead to peace and stability, realists argue that states are still driven by self-interest and will only collaborate if it serves their national interest. Realists and liberals both agree on the centrality of states as actors, the self-interested nature of states, and the problem created by anarchy.

Question 7

Feminist postmodernists differ from other feminist scholars by
A) aligning themselves more closely with traditional liberals.
B) asserting there is an identifiable truth that will be discovered.
C) believing all claims about truth are social constructions.
D) insisting on a more collaborative effort to realize their goals.

Accepted Answer

Feminist postmodernists believe in the social construction of truth and reject the idea of an objective reality or an identifiable truth. They argue that all knowledge is situated and influenced by social, cultural, and historical contexts. Unlike traditional liberals, they do not believe in a single universal truth and advocate for more collaborative efforts in achieving their goals.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory is most consistent with constructivism, which emphasizes the importance of social norms, identities, and ideas in shaping international relations. Feminist scholars similarly argue that gender is a fundamental component of human identity and that its role in shaping international relations must be accounted for.

Question 9

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

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A) women are...

Question 10

Feminist theories of international relations remain on the edge of conventional academic studies and policy discussions. What are the primary reasons for this marginalization of feminist approaches?

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Question 11

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

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Question 12

The feminist school of thought that is skeptical of all claims to objective truth is
A) postmodernism.
B) standpoint theory.
C) feminist liberalism.
D) empiricism.

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism, as a philosophical approach, questions the existence of objective truth and the power dynamics that shape our understanding of reality. Feminist postmodernists argue that all claims to objective truth are rooted in social and cultural contexts that shape our experiences and perspectives. They also critique the privileging of dominant voices and perspectives, which perpetuate structural inequalities based on gender, race, class, and other identities. Standpoint theory, on the other hand, acknowledges that our social locations influence our perspectives and knowledge claims, but maintains that some perspectives are more reliable and valid than others, especially those of marginalized and oppressed groups. Feminist liberalism, meanwhile, emphasize individual rights and freedoms, as well as the need to remove institutional obstacles to gender equality. Empiricism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes the importance of empirical evidence and scientific inquiry in understanding the world. While many feminists value empirical evidence and scientific research, they also critique the limitations and biases of these methods and the role of power dynamics in shaping research agendas and questions.

Question 13

While postmodern feminists assert that all truth and moral views are socially constructed, other types of feminists
A) are in essential agreement.
B) argue that postmodernism creates a situation where no one can say anything about truth.
C) claim that truth and morality are ambiguous and impossible to grasp.
D) assert that the framing of questions sheds no light on our understanding of international politics.

Accepted Answer

Other types of feminists reject the postmodernist assertion that all truth and moral views are socially constructed, and instead argue that this perspective creates a situation where no one can make claims about truth.

Question 14

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

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Question 15

Recent elections in Europe have shown
A) an inexorable rise in support for left parties, as opposed to parties of the center or right.
B) increasing support for centrist parties, as well as those in support of European integration.
C) a collapse in support for extremist parties in Greece, Spain, France, and Germany.
D) frustration with incumbents and support moving from the center parties to both the left and right.

Accepted Answer

Recent elections in Europe have shown a trend where voters express frustration with incumbent parties, leading to a shift in support from traditional center parties to both left-wing and right-wing parties.

Question 16

While Morgenthau treated realism as having universal laws, the feminist critic J. Ann Tickner argues that Morgenthau's theory should emphasize
A) context and contingency.
B) unchanging traits of human nature.
C) the constancy of power.
D) power and identity.

Accepted Answer

J. Ann Tickner's argument is that Morgenthau's theory should focus on context and contingency rather than universal laws.

Question 17

According to the book, the impact of feminist thought in international politics has been most pronounced in the debate on
A) military power.
B) trade unions.
C) education.
D) development.

Accepted Answer

The book states that feminist thought has had the most impact on the debate on development in international politics. This includes challenging traditional development approaches that have marginalized women, advocating for gender mainstreaming in development policies and programs, and highlighting the links between gender inequality and underdevelopment.

Question 18

All of the theories presented in this chapter attempt to explain the conditions for conflict and cooperation. Consider the main assumption of economic structuralism and constructivism and compare their explanations for the outbreak of war.

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Question 19

Explore at least three points of criticism of the economic structuralist perspective. Were any of these responsible for the demise of communism in 1991?

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Question 20

According to feminist theory, the artificial separation of private and public spheres
A) ignores the role of international institutions.
B) accurately reflects human nature.
C) is gender-based and gender-biased.
D) takes into account all costs of war.

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory argues that the traditional separation of private (domestic) and public (political) spheres has been gender-based and gender-biased, with women being relegated to the private sphere and men to the public sphere. This division has created unequal power relations between men and women, and has resulted in the undervaluation of women's work and experiences. Therefore, feminist theory advocates for a more inclusive understanding of the political that recognizes the importance of women's experiences in both the private and public spheres.

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

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?

Power is interpreted differently by these theories of international politics. In particular, how would a feminist and a constructivist define power?

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

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

Realists and liberals agree on all the following points except

Feminist postmodernists differ from other feminist scholars by

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

Feminist standpoint theory asserts that

Feminist theories of international relations remain on the edge of conventional academic studies and policy discussions. What are the primary reasons for this marginalization of feminist approaches?

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

The feminist school of thought that is skeptical of all claims to objective truth is

While postmodern feminists assert that all truth and moral views are socially constructed, other types of feminists

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?

Recent elections in Europe have shown

While Morgenthau treated realism as having universal laws, the feminist critic J. Ann Tickner argues that Morgenthau's theory should emphasize

According to the book, the impact of feminist thought in international politics has been most pronounced in the debate on

All of the theories presented in this chapter attempt to explain the conditions for conflict and cooperation. Consider the main assumption of economic structuralism and constructivism and compare their explanations for the outbreak of war.

Explore at least three points of criticism of the economic structuralist perspective. Were any of these responsible for the demise of communism in 1991?

According to feminist theory, the artificial separation of private and public spheres