About this Study Set
This study set covers International Relations through
18 practice questions.
A rigorous examination of foundational IR theories, quantitative empirical studies, and established historical-political data. Every question includes the correct answer so you can learn as you go — pick any format above to get started.
Questions & Answers
Browse all 18 questions from the
Advanced International Relations Theory and Empirical Facts study set below.
Each question shows the correct answer — select a study format above to practice interactively.
1
According to the Democratic Peace Theory, what specific type of dyad is statistically observed to have the lowest probability of militarized interstate disputes?
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A
Democracy-Autocracy
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B
Autocracy-Autocracy
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C
Democracy-Democracy
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D
Anocracy-Democracy
2
In Neorealist theory, what is the defining structural characteristic of the international system, as articulated by Kenneth Waltz in 1979?
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A
The distribution of military capabilities
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B
The prevalence of international law
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C
The ideological composition of states
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D
The degree of economic interdependence
3
Which scholar is primarily associated with the 'English School' concept of 'International Society,' distinguishing it from an 'International System'?
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A
Hans Morgenthau
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B
Hedley Bull
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C
Robert Keohane
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D
Kenneth Waltz
4
The 'Security Dilemma' suggests that actions taken by one state to increase its own security lead to a decrease in the security of others. Which scholar coined this term in 1951?
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A
John Herz
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B
Robert Jervis
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C
Stephen Walt
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D
Graham Allison
5
Which specific quantitative dataset is the most widely utilized in International Relations to measure the severity and occurrence of inter-state and intra-state wars?
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A
Correlates of War (COW)
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B
Global Terrorism Database
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C
Freedom House Index
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D
Polity V Project
6
In Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye's theory of Complex Interdependence, which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic?
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A
Multiple channels of contact among societies
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B
Absence of hierarchy among issues
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C
Minor role of military force
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D
Prevalence of unilateral state action
7
According to Rational Choice Theory in IR, what condition must be met for a state to be considered a 'unitary rational actor'?
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A
Consistent and transitive preferences
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B
Unlimited information processing capability
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C
Total absence of domestic interest groups
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D
Absolute adherence to international treaties
8
What does the 'Balance of Threat' theory, proposed by Stephen Walt, suggest is the primary driver of alliance formation?
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A
Only the distribution of material power
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B
Geographic proximity and offensive intent
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C
Economic growth rates and trade volume
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D
Domestic ideological alignment
9
Which concept describes the situation where states are reluctant to cooperate even when it is in their mutual interest, due to concerns about relative gains?
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A
The Prisoner's Dilemma
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B
The Stag Hunt
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C
The Tragedy of the Commons
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D
The Free Rider Problem
10
Which major international relations paradigm posits that international institutions have the capacity to mitigate the effects of anarchy through 'regime theory'?
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A
Classical Realism
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B
Neoliberal Institutionalism
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C
Constructivism
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D
Marxism
11
What is the core argument of the 'Kondratiev Wave' theory as applied to international political economy?
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A
Cycles of technological innovation and economic boom-bust
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B
The inevitability of a unipolar world
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C
The direct correlation between GDP and democracy
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D
The impact of climate change on state collapse
12
Constructivism emphasizes the role of 'socially constructed' elements in IR. What is the foundational premise regarding 'anarchy' according to Alexander Wendt?
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A
Anarchy is a fixed structural constraint
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B
Anarchy is what states make of it
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C
Anarchy always leads to war
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D
Anarchy is non-existent in the modern era
13
In the context of the 'Offense-Defense Balance,' what is the primary indicator that defense has the advantage?
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A
When the cost of taking territory is lower than holding it
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B
When the cost of holding territory is lower than taking it
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C
When first-strike capability is guaranteed
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D
When nuclear proliferation occurs
14
Which theory argues that the structure of the international system is defined by the global division of labor and the exploitation of the periphery by the core?
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A
World-Systems Theory
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B
Hegemonic Stability Theory
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C
Liberalism
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D
Functionalism
15
According to Hegemonic Stability Theory, global economic stability is most likely to be maintained under what condition?
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A
Multipolarity
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B
A single dominant state providing public goods
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C
The absence of trade barriers
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D
The existence of a strong UN Security Council
16
What is the 'Kantian Triangle' of peace, which suggests that peace is fostered by three specific factors?
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A
Democracy, Economic Interdependence, and International Organizations
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B
Military strength, Alliances, and Territory
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C
Resource wealth, Religion, and Trade
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D
Nuclear weapons, Diplomacy, and Borders
17
Which term refers to the process where international norms become embedded in a state's internal political and legal structures, as described in Constructivist literature?
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A
Norm Internalization
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B
External Balancing
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C
Realpolitik
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D
Rationalization
18
The 'Thucydides Trap,' popularized by Graham Allison, refers to the structural tension between which two types of powers?
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A
An emerging power and a ruling power
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B
A land power and a sea power
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C
A religious state and a secular state
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D
A democratic state and a totalitarian state
