Question 1

Which of the following is true of the European Union?

Accepted Answer

If member states do not uphold EU law, they can be fined or sanctioned. This is one of the main ways in which the EU ensures compliance with its laws and regulations. Options A and B are incorrect because the European Court of Justice plays a significant role in upholding EU law, and the EU deals with both political and economic issues. Option C is partially true, but members of the European Commission are expected to represent the EU's interests as a whole, not just their own countries.

Question 2

How has the European Union changed over time?

Accepted Answer

The European Union has expanded its membership multiple times over the years, starting with just six countries in 1957 and now consisting of 27 member states.

Answer: B
 The EU has expanded its policy areas beyond just economic cooperation to also include social policy, foreign and security policy, justice and home affairs, and more. While there has been some public opposition to these expansions, they have generally been accepted.

Answer: C
 While the EU has made some efforts towards military cooperation, such as the establishment of the European Defense Fund, progress in this area has been slow and often hampered by disagreements among member states.

Answer: None of the above
 Option D is incorrect as the EU has undergone significant changes since its founding, as outlined in options A, B, and C.

Question 3

Over which issue has the United States most frequently exerted its veto in the UN Security Council?

Accepted Answer

The United States has most frequently exerted its veto power in the UN Security Council over issues related to the Arab-Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a permanent member of the Security Council, the US has vetoed numerous resolutions that have criticized or condemned Israeli actions in the occupied territories or called for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Since the creation of the United Nations, the US has issued more than 40 vetoes on resolutions related to this conflict.

Question 4

The United Nations is based on the principle that its primary concern should be international peace and security.How has this principle changed over time?

Accepted Answer

Over time, the United Nations has expanded its definition of security issues to include not just traditional military threats, but also issues such as human rights violations, environmental concerns, and economic inequality. This has led to increased intervention in domestic affairs of member states in order to address these issues.

Question 5

What is one example of how the structure of the EU has changed over time?

Accepted Answer

The European Parliament has increased in power over time, gaining greater legislative and supervisory roles. Initially, the Parliament had limited powers and acted as a consultative body. However, following several revisions of the EU treaties, the Parliament has gained more power, including the ability to co-legislate with the Council on many policy areas and to approve the appointment of the European Commission.

Question 6

Which of the following is true of the United Nations Security Council?

Accepted Answer

During the Cold War, the frequent use of the veto by the Soviet Union resulted in numerous deadlocks in the Security Council.

Answer: D 
 Since the 1970s, Russia has used its veto power more frequently than any other permanent member of the Security Council.

Question 7

Which part of the UN Charter authorizes the Security Council to take enforcement measures,such as economic sanctions or military force,to protect international peace and security?

Accepted Answer

Chapter VII of the UN Charter authorizes the Security Council to take enforcement measures to maintain or restore international peace and security, including the use of economic and military force.

Question 8

Which of the following is true of the United Nations?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations played a significant role in decolonization, providing a framework and support for the process.

Answer: B
 Unlike with the World Trade Organization, there is not a North-South divide in the United Nations. All member states have an equal voice in the General Assembly.

Answer: C
 Since the end of the Cold War, the Security Council has authorized enforcement measures in several cases, including the Gulf War and the intervention in Kosovo.

Answer: D
 While not all UN peacekeeping missions have been successful, many have contributed to the resolution of conflicts and the restoration of stability in affected regions.

Question 9

Which of the following is true of the election of the UN Secretary General who came to power in 2017?

Accepted Answer

For the first time, all candidates appeared before the General Assembly to present platforms and answer questions, as the election was highly contested.

Question 10

The idea behind the European Coal and Steel Community was a ________ one,with the idea that cooperative ventures in nonpolitical issue areas would spill over to issues of national security.

Accepted Answer

The idea behind the European Coal and Steel Community was functionalist in nature as it aimed to address practical economic issues and promote cooperation between states in those areas, with the belief that such cooperation would lead to greater unity and a reduction of conflicts in other areas, including national security.

Question 11

The Westphalian idea of the sovereign equality of member states is

Accepted Answer

The Westphalian idea of the sovereign equality of member states is the basis for each state having one vote in the UN General Assembly. This means that all member states have equal representation and voting power in this body.

Question 12

Which of the following activities have UN peacekeepers never been tasked with?

Accepted Answer

UN peacekeepers have never been tasked with ensuring free trade to stimulate post-civil war economies. However, they have been tasked with monitoring ceasefires, providing a buffer between warring parties, and providing humanitarian aid.

Question 13

The United Nations was founded on which of the following principles?

Accepted Answer

The United Nations was founded on the principle that it should address international problems, but not all decisions are legally binding, and not all member states have equal representation in the Security Council. Its primary responsibility is not solely economic growth.

Question 14

Which of the following is true of UN peacekeeping missions?

Accepted Answer

UN peacekeeping missions have been involved in both civil and interstate conflicts. They are sent to maintain peace and security or to restore stability in conflict-affected areas, whether those conflicts are within a country or between countries. However, their effectiveness has varied depending on the context and the specific challenges faced in each mission.

Question 15

Which country does not currently have a permanent seat on the Security Council?

Accepted Answer

Germany does not currently have a permanent seat on the Security Council. The five permanent members are the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a success of the League of Nations?

Accepted Answer

The League of Nations successfully settled territorial disputes between several different sets of states, including the Aaland Islands dispute between Sweden and Finland and the Mosul dispute between Britain and Turkey.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of foreign policy making and the European Union?

Accepted Answer

The EU members were divided over the 2003 Iraq War, with some countries supporting the US-led invasion and others opposing it.

Question 18

Which of the following is true of the General Assembly of the United Nations?

Accepted Answer

Since the end of the Cold War, the General Assembly of the United Nations has become increasingly marginalized, with the Security Council taking on greater importance in global affairs. Therefore, option D is correct. Option A is incorrect as discussions and debates are held on a wide range of topics. Option B is incorrect as the General Assembly is not the epicenter of UN power. Option C is also incorrect as member states often coordinate in coalitions for voting purposes.

Question 19

Since its inception,how has membership of the Security Council been reformed?

Accepted Answer

No new countries have been added as permanent members since the inception of the Security Council. However, the number of non-permanent members has been increased from six to ten under the United Nations Charter.

Question 20

Which of the following terms is used to refer to actions by UN peacekeepers that involve trying to maintain law and order in failing or disintegrating societies?

Accepted Answer

Peacebuilding refers to actions taken by UN peacekeepers to promote social, economic and political development in post-conflict countries. This includes efforts to maintain law and order, build institutions, and support governance reforms to prevent future conflicts. Refugee aid refers to support provided to people who have fled their homes due to conflict or persecution. Traditional peacekeeping refers to the deployment of UN troops to monitor a ceasefire between warring parties. Non-refoulement is a principle of international law that prohibits the forcible return of refugees to a country where they may face persecution or harm.

Quiz 9: Intergovernmental Organizations and Nongovernmental Organizations