Answer the question in the space provided (as best you can). Questions 1-4 are worth 10 points each. Questions 5-7 are worth 20 points each.

1.    What are two constitutive mechanisms in constructivist theories of international politics?


structuration, normative transposition, collective intentionality

2.    What are two differences between realist and liberal assumptions about international politics?

see slides 16 & 18 Jan. slides;


3.    What was the effect of having democratic politicians rather than professional diplomats lead the Versailles peace talks after World War I, according to Lauren, Craig & George?

democratic politicians were focused on their national publics, revenge, or lofty ideals while professional diplomats shared a normative sense of compromise and saw themselves as part of international society (see Lauren, p.49-50); along these lines is good

4.    What two reasons for the breakdown of the League of Nations?

see the ‘System I’ slide – any of the reasons listed as either hindrances or what I mentioned in lecture


5.    According to Mingst or Lauren, et al, how did Britain play the role of the ‘balancer’ under the Concert of Europe?

Britain would align with states when the continental balance of power appeared to become unbalanced. Britain intervened against Russia in the Crimean War to support Turkey, and in the 19th century, it made ententes with France and Russia to balance against Germany.

6.    Discuss two ways that the “Concert of Europe” system differed from the pre-Concert system:


see the ‘System I’ slide



7.     Based on lecture, what is the error in the following statement: “There is no such thing as the ‘liberal peace’ or ‘democratic peace’ because democratic or liberal states fight wars just as often as illiberal or authoritarian states do.”

 

The dyadic or neo-Kantian versions of liberal peace theory claims that liberal states will not or will rarely fight wars with other liberal states. Liberal states fight wars with non-liberal states just as much as often as illiberal states fight wars with each other.