Political Science 651 Final Examination Questions

At the final examination on May 1, two of the questions below will be asked.  In formulating answers, one can utilize any information presented during the course. No books or notes will be allowed at the test. 

1. What do Hollis and Smith mean by explaining "in the scientific manner"?

2. According to Mancur Olson, under what conditions can collective action be accomplished?

3. Identify the essential components of a theory of international relations which purports to offer understanding?

4. Hans Morgenthau and E. H. Carr offer contrasting images of Political Realism.  What are their principal differences?

5. Many Neo-realists assert that there exists an international regime addressing human rights or nuclear nonproliferation.  What do they mean by this claim?  What is the significance of the claim to other claims of neo-realism?  [In your answer, address EITHER  human rights OR nuclear nonproliferation BUT NOT BOTH.]

6. Nationalism refers sometimes to ideology, sometimes to practice. What are the major claims about nationalism asserted by Anthony D. Smith OR Benedict Anderson.

7. Identify the principal elements of Liberal international relations theory.

8. In an effort to interpret Ludwig Wittgenstein's account of games, Hollis and Smith state,

Constructively speaking, the rules of any 'game' create an arena and give sense to what is said and done in it.  Such arenas are not figments of the imagination, however.  The constraints and enablements are real features of public life.  To that extent, one might say, there is after all something which all members of the games family share.  For anyone learning to play a socially constructed game, there are rules to discover.... (p. 178)

Interpreting the practice of power politics [realpolitik] as an international game, what do you find to be the principal "rules to discover"?

9. "Grand Theory encompasses claims expressed at all relevant levels of analysis."  With reference to a Grand Theory of your choice, evaluate this statement. [For purposes of this course, you may take any major member of the Realist, Liberal or Marxist families as exemplary of a Grand Theory.]

10. According to Caporaso, what is dependency?  Why does he believe that it is much more significant than almost any degree of interdependence?

11. Offer an interpretation of globalization from the perspective of any major relative of the Liberal family of theories.

12. What do Caporaso and Levine mean by "state-centric approaches to political economy"?  Is their meaning compatible with the concept of the "sovereign state" in political realism?

13. How do political realists utilize the abstract concept of the national interest to guide policy?

14. Explain and evaluate the concept of imperialism from either any Marxist perspective.

15. Choose one of the following:

a. What does J. Ann Tickner consider to be most seriously wrong with contemporary realist theory?

b. What reasons and evidence did Vladimir Lenin offer to support his claim that capitalism must collapse?

16. Sketch a Liberal argument in support of this claim: "A just world order is possible."  In your argument, identify the mechanisms by which such a world order can be realized.

17.  "Reflection on wealth and power as state objectives soon yields the conclusion that they are complementary. For contemporary statesmen, as for the mercantilists of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, power is a necessary condition for plenty, and vice versa." Evaluate this claim.

18. In your judgment, which theory studied in this course comes closest to presenting a set of  claims of understanding?  How do you support this judgment?