Question 1

Unlike many of the hard sciences (such as physics or chemistry) the study of world politics

Accepted Answer

The study of world politics does not have a set of uniform, deterministic laws to precisely predict actions. While it does involve generalization, it also considers specific situations and individual actors, making it distinct from the hard sciences. It can still be useful in predicting future actions, although with less precision than in the hard sciences.

Question 2

Interstate conflict is a threat to world security about which the global community should be concerned now and in future decades.

Accepted Answer

Interstate conflict, which involves conflicts between two or more countries, can lead to devastating consequences not just for the involved countries but for the entire world. This includes loss of human lives, economic disruption, displacement of people, as well as the potential for the conflict to spread to neighboring countries or even trigger a global war. Therefore, it is important for the global community to work towards preventing and resolving interstate conflicts to ensure world security.

Question 3

Transnational threats include

Accepted Answer

Transnational threats are those that transcend national boundaries and affect multiple countries. Contagious diseases, human and drug trafficking, and climate change are all examples of transnational threats. Therefore, option D is the correct answer.

Question 4

The UN's report, A More Secure World (2004), suggests that which of the following weapons does not represent a threat to global security.

Accepted Answer

The UN's report, A More Secure World (2004), suggests that the Internet does not represent a threat to global security, as it is not a weapon.

Question 5

In constructing your own image of the future of world affairs, it is important to begin by

Accepted Answer

To construct a realistic and informed image of the future of world affairs, it is necessary to consider the key questions and issues likely to shape international relations. This involves analyzing current trends and future possibilities, as well as recognizing the diverse perspectives and interests of different actors in the global system. Joining an international organization or distancing oneself from political science may provide interesting insights, but it is not sufficient to fully understand and predict the complex and evolving landscape of world affairs. Following only one political theory also limits one's understanding of the complex and multifaceted factors that drive international relations.

Question 6

To preserve peace, one must prepare for peace.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "To preserve peace, one must prepare for war" is a well-known adage suggesting that being ready for conflict can deter aggression and maintain peace.

Question 7

Human rights law in principle provides unprecedented protection for people everywhere to live in freedom without fear.

Accepted Answer

Human rights law aims to protect individuals from human rights violations, such as discrimination, torture, and arbitrary detention, and promotes fundamental freedoms, including freedom of speech, religion, and assembly. The goal is to ensure that all people can live in dignity and security, free from fear and oppression.

Question 8

Across the globe, "military and intelligence organizations are preparing the cyber battlefield with things called 'logic bombs' and 'trapdoors,' placing virtual explosives in other countries in peacetime".

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Military and intelligence organizations do prepare the cyber battlefield with various tools including logic bombs and trapdoors, which can be used to launch cyber attacks and gather intelligence in peacetime.

Question 9

Political science theories make it easy to predict future trends and changes in the global community.

Accepted Answer

While political science theories can offer insight and analysis on current and past events, they cannot guarantee accurate predictions of future trends and changes in the global community. There are too many unpredictable factors and variables that can impact the direction of global politics.

Question 10

Millions of citizens are threatened by genocide and terrorism sponsored by their own governments.

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, this statement is true in some parts of the world. Governments have been responsible for genocide and sponsoring terrorism, leading to the persecution and displacement of millions of citizens.

Question 11

_____ said: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

Accepted Answer

This quote is a famous line from the "Letter from Birmingham Jail," written by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1963.

Question 12

Genetically modified foods are often presented as a way to solve global famine, but critics are concerned with public health consequences.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. While proponents of genetically modified foods argue that they can help alleviate global hunger by increasing crop yields and reducing food waste, opponents argue that potential risks to public health and the environment outweigh these benefits.

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the general agreement of the scholarly community about the study of international politics?

Accepted Answer

While there may be disagreements among scholars about specific theories and approaches, there is generally agreement that the study of international politics is possible and meaningful due to patterns and continuity in history.

Question 14

Hendrik Willem van Loon considered _____ to be the most precious possession of the masses.

Accepted Answer

Hendrik Willem van Loon considered ignorance to be the most precious possession of the masses, as it allows them to remain content and unchallenged by the complexities of knowledge.

Question 15

Despite changes and chaos, behavior by transnational actors is not random.

Accepted Answer

Despite changes and chaos, transnational actors often have strategic goals and interests, and their behavior is typically shaped by these objectives. While factors such as shifting political and economic conditions can impact their decision-making, their actions are not typically random.

Question 16

There is no support within the international community for a global responsibility to protect those who suffer from mass abuse at the hands of their state governments.

Accepted Answer

The international community has recognized the responsibility to protect principle, which asserts that states have a responsibility to protect their populations from mass atrocities and that the international community has a responsibility to assist states in fulfilling this responsibility. However, there is still debate and differing opinions on how and when to intervene, and not all states agree with this principle.

Question 17

Pessimists would argue that a large percentage of humanity faces all of the following except.

Accepted Answer

Pessimists often believe that the future is bleak and that progress is impossible. Therefore, they would not see a brighter future as a possibility for a large percentage of humanity.

Question 18

Which is NOT one of the six clusters of threats identified by the UN Report, A More Secure World ?

Accepted Answer

The UN Report, A More Secure World, identified the six clusters of threats as: economic and social threats, intra-state conflict, state conflict, terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and transnational organized crime. "International organization" is not one of the identified clusters.

Question 19

Both state and nonstate actors are turning to information technology and the Internet as unconventional weapons of war.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Both state and nonstate actors, such as terrorist groups or hacktivists, are using information technology and the Internet for various types of cyber attacks and cyber warfare. These attacks can include infiltration of computer networks, theft of sensitive information, and disruption of critical infrastructure.

Question 20

Today the threat of being attacked by the military forces of another country has receded, particularly in the Global North. Instead, a _________ of warfare has emerged in which states are pitted against nonstate actors in hostilities that lack front lines and clear distinctions between soldiers and civilians.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the sentence is known as fourth generation warfare. It involves conflicts between states and nonstate actors, such as terrorist groups or insurgent forces, that often take place in civilian areas and do not have clear battle lines or distinctions between combatants and non-combatants. The terms "third wave" and "third generation" are not applicable in this context. "Fifth generation" warfare is a relatively new and developing concept that refers to the increasing role of technology, specifically artificial intelligence and robotics, in warfare.

Quiz 15: Looking Ahead at Global Trends and Transformations