Question 1

There were four international relations systems in the twentieth century.

Accepted Answer

There were four major international relations systems in the twentieth century: the Concert of Europe, the League of Nations, the United Nations, and the Cold War.

Question 2

The failure of the balance-of-power system to function after World War I is one of the factors that led to World War II.

Accepted Answer

The failure of the balance-of-power system, which was intended to prevent any one nation from dominating Europe, contributed to the conditions that led to World War II, as it allowed for the rise of aggressive powers like Nazi Germany.

Question 3

A balance-of-power system requires at least three major players capable of making flexible alliances.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

In a multipolar power system model, the power distribution is layered as the rich and high-tech countries form the top layer, rapidly industrializing countries the second, and countries dominated by crime and chronic instability the third.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In a multipolar power system model, the...

Question 5

The possibility of a nuclear war prevented both sides in the bipolar Cold War system from indulging in a direct conflict.

Accepted Answer

This is due to the concept of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD), which posited that a nuclear war would lead to the complete annihilation of both the attacker and the defender, thereby preventing direct military conflicts between nuclear-armed states during the Cold War.

Question 6

The current international system is best characterized as unipolar.

Accepted Answer

The current international system is often characterized as multipolar, with multiple states or groups of states exerting significant power and influence globally, such as the United States, China, the European Union, and Russia.

Question 7

If strictly adhered to, the concept of sovereignty permits states to engage in a whole host of actions, even mass murder, without interference from the international community.

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty, in its strictest sense, implies that a state has complete authority over its territory and internal affairs, allowing it to act without external interference, including engaging in actions that could be considered morally reprehensible or criminal by the international community.

Question 8

A state is an entity that has a legitimate monopoly on coercion of its citizens.

Accepted Answer

A state is defined as having a legitimate monopoly on the use of physical force within its territory, which includes the coercion of its citizens, according to the sociologist Max Weber's definition of the state.

Question 9

Both the World War I and the Cold War international systems can be characterized as bipolar.

Accepted Answer

World War I was characterized by a multipolar system with multiple great powers, while the Cold War was a bipolar system dominated by the US and the Soviet Union.

Question 10

Which of the following is an accurate interpretation of power as defined in the text?

Accepted Answer

Power, in the context provided, is best understood as the capacity to influence others' actions in ways that may go against their initial will or preference. This encompasses a broad range of mechanisms beyond mere military might or negotiation skills, focusing on the fundamental ability to alter behavior.

Question 11

An international system is the ________.

Accepted Answer

An international system refers to the way power is distributed around the globe, involving the relationships and interactions between different countries and how they influence global dynamics.

Question 12

A bipolar international system characterizes ________.

Accepted Answer

A bipolar international system is one where two superpowers dominate global affairs. The Cold War period, characterized by the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union, is the most prominent example of a bipolar international system.

Question 13

When does power become force?

Accepted Answer

E  Power becomes force when it involves coercion or compulsion, as seen in military power (A) and technological coercion (E).

Question 14

Balance-of-power scholars argue that BOP systems ________.

Accepted Answer

Balance-of-power theory suggests that systems are more peaceful because states will form alliances to offset the threat of another state, maintaining a balance that discourages unilateral aggression.

Question 15

The Westphalian system established the concept of ________.

Accepted Answer

The Westphalian system, established in 1648, introduced the concept of sovereignty, defining the principle that each state has exclusive authority over its territory and domestic affairs.

Question 16

Sovereignty is defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Sovereignty refers to the authority of a state to govern itself or another state, emphasizing the ability to make decisions and act independently without external interference.

Question 17

Globalization ________.

Accepted Answer

Globalization involves the integration of national economies into the international economy through trade, direct foreign investment (by corporations among others), short-term capital flows, international flows of workers and humanity generally, and flows of technology. It essentially makes most countries participants in a global market, hence option C is correct.

Question 18

In his 1993 publication, Samuel Huntington argues that ________.

Accepted Answer

Huntington's 1993 publication, "The Clash of Civilizations?" argues that the post-Cold War world is dividing into eight major civilizations, with cultural and religious identities being the primary sources of conflict.

Question 19

Which of the following systems looks at the world as a single, big capitalist market?

Accepted Answer

The globalized system views the world as a single, large capitalist market, emphasizing the interconnectedness and interdependence of economies and cultures across the globe.

Question 20

Which of the following characteristics best explains a state?

Accepted Answer

A state is defined as a political entity with a defined territory, a permanent population, a government, and the capacity to enter into relations with other states.

Quiz 1: Power and Systems