PSCI 2223 (Spring 2006)

Introduction to International Relations

Professor Jupille

Midterm #2 Preview

Exam Nuts and Bolts

· Exam book ("blue book");

· Pen (blue or black);

· 50 minutes.

Exam Format

• Multiple Choice: 15 @ 3 exam points each (45 points total);

· Essay: 1 (of 2) @ 55 exam points.

Topics and Materials

This midterm is cumulative. The multiple choice questions will focus substantially on materials covered in part II of the class, as well as related article from the Economist. For the essay portion, you will be expected to communicate understanding of the part II concepts in depth and/or to relate them to the theoretical materials from part I of the course.

Recall what I have said about the function that I see this part of the course fulfilling. I strongly encourage you to keep this “big picture” firmly in mind while preparing for the exam.

The Security Dilemma and Interstate War	**Herz, "The Security Dilemma in the Atomic Age"; **Jervis, "Cooperation Under the Security Dilemma"
Peace Through Strength: Military Power, Coercive Diplomacy and National Security	KW 12; **Schelling, "The Manipulation of Risk"
Balance of Power, Alliances, Arms Control	KW 13; **Morgenthau, "The Balance of Power";
Collective Security, International Organizations and International Law	KW 14; **Claude, "Collective Security as an Approach to Peace"
Kant and Triangulating Peace	**Doyle, "Kant's Perpetual Peace" **Russett and Oneal, Triangulating Peace, pp. 35-42.
Application: 20th Century Wars	KW 4; **Gaddis, "The Long Peace"
Application: 21st Century “Wars”	KW 11; **Barnett, "The Pentagon's New Map"

Study Strategies

· Do the readings.

· For KW, pay special attention to general concepts and boldfaced words. Ask about how KW materials relate to lecture materials, how they work together to paint a picture of that subject.

· For non-KW readings, be able to associate authors with arguments. You will receive more credit if you correctly identify the author of an idea in addition to accurately articulating the idea in question. In all cases, you should be capable of providing a "bottom line": that is, a distilled version of each author's thesis, or main argument.

· You may have noticed that there is, in general, a closer connection (or a better identified relationship) between the lecture and the reading material. Use these connections and relationships to bring together a full picture of the individual topics (e.g., “peace through strength”, “balance of power”, “collective security”, etc.).

· Revisit the Lectures

· Use lecture outlines to your advantage. They, along with the syllabus, communicate important information to you about how the professor carves up the complicated reality that is international relations.

· Understand the overall theme of each lecture, and how it relates to broader course themes. Then address yourself to more specific issues, connecting them to lecture themes and from there to course themes.

· I have provided key terms for lectures at the end of each outline. Know them. That is, be able to identify what each term means and how it is relevant (relates to broader themes).

· Think

· How might all of the above be brought together? Given the readings assigned and the lectures given, what questions might be asked?

Test-Taking Strategies

· Relax.

· Manage your time. The essay is intended to challenge your time management skills. You need to organize (outline) your answer and write as clearly and concisely as you can.

· Write legibly.

· Completely answer the question.

Sample Questions

• Multiple Choice. Which of the following most accurately captures the meaning of the “security dilemma”?
1. The notion of “security” should be broadened to consider “human security”, “ecological security”, and other dimensions beyond the purely military.
2. Centralized world government is the only viable solution to the insecurities inherent in the anarchic international system, yet it is difficult to achieve.
3. Actions undertaken by one state to increase its security actually decrease the security of others.
4. Leaders consistently confront decision making dilemmas and limitations which lead them to deviate from the expectations of rational choice theory.
• Essay Question. The "security dilemma" is said to be a major cause of war in world politics. Explain the logic of the security dilemma. Which factors determine the severity of the dilemma, and how do various combinations of these factors influence the likelihood of war? Do you think that the security dilemma is a serious problem in the year 2006? If you were a policy maker, what, if anything, would you do to ameliorate (i.e., make better) the security dilemma, and why?