Question 1

Given the effect of group size on collective action problems,what scenario is likely to be the most successful?

Accepted Answer

Smaller groups are generally more successful in addressing collective action problems because coordination is easier, and each member's contribution is more significant.

Question 2

Which trend would NOT represent a threat to continuing economic engagement and cooperation?

Accepted Answer

Developing countries gaining more control of international financial institutions would likely enhance economic engagement and cooperation by making these institutions more representative and inclusive, rather than posing a threat.

Question 3

The nineteenth century was a period of unprecedented economic growth.What systematic change did NOT encourage this expansion?

Accepted Answer

The creation of regional trade organizations, although improving trade relations between countries, was not a systematic change that directly encouraged economic expansion. It only served to decrease transaction costs, which was not enough to cause unprecedented economic growth. The other options, such as the expansion of railroads, increased use and affordability of steamships, decreased communication costs, and the adoption of the gold standard, all played significant roles in enabling economic expansion during the nineteenth century.

Question 4

International anarchy is an important concept for international relations,as it implies:

Accepted Answer

International anarchy refers to the absence of a global authority, which means that there is no central power to enforce rules and regulations on states. This lack of authority shapes the types of interactions that states can have with each other, and it also means that states must rely on their own power and resources to protect their interests and maintain their security. In short, international anarchy is a critical concept for understanding the dynamics of international relations, especially when it comes to issues of power, security, and conflict.

Question 5

What is NOT one of the ways in which the United States attempted to challenge,counteract,and contain the Soviet Union?

Accepted Answer

The United States never declared war on the Soviet Union or communist China. Out of the options given, this is the only one that is not an actual way in which the United States challenged, counteracted, and contained the Soviet Union. The rest of the options are all valid strategies that the United States employed during the Cold War.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT an institution?

Accepted Answer

The act of a prime minister declaring war on another country is an action or decision made by an individual person, rather than an institution. The remaining options all refer to some form of organized or formalized group or system.

Question 7

The European Union represents what kind of organization?

Accepted Answer

The European Union is primarily a regional trade organization, promoting economic cooperation and free trade among its member states.

Note: The EU also has elements of collective security, as it includes measures for cross-border law enforcement and defense cooperation among member states, but this is not its primary purpose. It is not an offensive alliance or a terrorist organization, and it does not aim to become a world government.

Question 8

The study of world politics is like other fields of social science in that it:

Accepted Answer

The study of world politics, like other fields of social science, relies on observation and theory to develop and test hypotheses about how the world works. This distinguishes it from a purely empirical approach that ignores theoretical frameworks and relies solely on the data. While there may not always be consistent theories on human interaction, the study of world politics still relies heavily on the tools of observation and theory.

Question 9

Nuclear weapons have been pivotal in defining the Cold War period.What is true of the way in which they helped shape the interests of the major powers during this time period?

Accepted Answer

The significant build-up of nuclear weapons by the United States and the Soviet Union resulted in mutually assured destruction, meaning that each side had enough weapons to destroy the other many times over. This led to a tense balance of power and a strategic arms race during the Cold War period.

Question 10

What type of interactions are the most difficult to overcome?

Accepted Answer

Zero-sum interactions involve a situation where one person's gain is directly balanced by another person's loss. In such situations, the resources are limited, and the gain of one means the loss of another. These interactions are often the most challenging to resolve as no one is willing to compromise or negotiate for fear of losing out.

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT make cooperation more difficult?

Accepted Answer

Linked issues providing more issues over which to bargain can actually facilitate cooperation by allowing for trade-offs and compromises across different areas, making it easier to reach mutually beneficial agreements.

Question 12

What is NOT true of states?

Accepted Answer

Not all countries are governed by states, as some countries are governed through other political systems, such as confederations or federal unions.

Question 13

Developing countries sought a third alternative to capitalism and communism via the Non-Aligned Movement.What was NOT a goal of that movement?

Accepted Answer

The Non-Aligned Movement was not concerned with the balance of power between the East and the West.

Question 14

Why do some institutions continue to have biased voting procedures that privilege some states?

Accepted Answer

Powerful states benefit from biased voting procedures and therefore are resistant to changing them. They have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo and maintaining their influence within the institution. Weaker states may not necessarily prefer that more powerful states make decisions, but they may lack the power to change the procedures. Formal institutions are not always easy to change, and creating new procedures is not always the solution. It is unlikely that members of the institution believe rules and procedures do not matter, as they are fundamental to the functioning of the institution. Powerful states may not necessarily want weaker states to think they can contribute to important decisions, as this would undermine their own domination within the institution.

Question 15

Which of the following is an example of bargaining?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is an example...

Question 16

When one country has respect for a neighboring country's sovereignty,it will:

Accepted Answer

Accepting that a neighboring country has a different official religion is a sign of respect for its sovereignty. This shows that the country recognizes and honors the autonomy and independence of the neighboring country in matters of religion, which is an important aspect of sovereignty. The other options, such as invading or attacking the neighboring country, supporting a rival heir, or attempting to influence its treaty agreements, are violations of the neighboring country's sovereignty and can lead to conflict and instability in the region.

Question 17

The Western victors of World War II created new international institutions to:

Accepted Answer

The new international institutions created by the Western victors of World War II, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, were established to create a stable economic system and prevent the problems encountered during the interwar period, such as economic instability and protectionism. This was seen as necessary to promote global economic growth and avoid future wars. The other options presented are incorrect, as they do not accurately reflect the goals or outcomes of these institutions.

Question 18

What was NOT a factor encouraging decolonization?

Accepted Answer

Colonies beginning to acquire nuclear weapons would not have encouraged decolonization. In fact, it could have potentially increased tension and resistance from colonial powers.

Question 19

Why is the Great Depression linked to the outbreak of World War II?

Accepted Answer

The economic and political instability created by the Great Depression provided fertile ground for the rise of nationalistic and militaristic political parties in many countries, including Germany, Japan, and Italy. These parties ultimately led their countries into aggressive and expansionist policies that helped trigger the outbreak of World War II.

Question 20

Mercantilism was a system:

Accepted Answer

Mercantilism was a system used by imperial governments to enrich themselves by using military power to control trade and exploit colonies for their resources. The goal of mercantilism was to maintain a favorable balance of trade, with exports exceeding imports, in order to accumulate precious metals and strengthen the country's economy and military power.

Quiz 16: Foundations, war, and Peace