Scribd
Upload
2 views

Study+Guide+2

The document provides a study guide on the realist approach to international security, covering key concepts such as anarchy, the security dilemma, self-help, and the balance of power. It includes quiz questions and answers that illustrate the realist perspective on state behavior, alliances, and the role of force in international relations. Additionally, it features essay questions for critical evaluation of realism in contemporary global security challenges.

Uploaded by

phoenix.project.ek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
2 views

Study+Guide+2

The document provides a study guide on the realist approach to international security, covering key concepts such as anarchy, the security dilemma, self-help, and the balance of power. It includes quiz questions and answers that illustrate the realist perspective on state behavior, alliances, and the role of force in international relations. Additionally, it features essay questions for critical evaluation of realism in contemporary global security challenges.

Uploaded by

phoenix.project.ek
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

Realist Approach to International Security: A Study

Guide
Quiz

1. How does the concept of anarchy shape the realist perspective on international
relations?
2. Explain the security dilemma and its implications for international security.
3. According to realists, what is the primary motivation for states to engage in alliances?
Provide an example.
4. How do realists view the role of force in international politics?
5. What is the realist perspective on the effectiveness of international institutions in
maintaining peace and security?
6. Explain the concept of self-help in the context of international relations.
7. How does the balance of power contribute to stability in the international system
according to realists?
8. Why might realists be skeptical about the long-term viability of international
cooperation?
9. What is deterrence and how does it relate to the realist approach to security?
10. Provide an example of a historical event that supports the realist perspective on
international relations.

Quiz Answer Key

1. Anarchy, the absence of a central authority, forces states to prioritize self-help and
survival, leading to a competitive and often conflictual international environment.
2. The security dilemma arises when actions taken by one state to enhance its security
are perceived as threats by others, leading to a spiral of insecurity and arms races.
3. States form alliances to counterbalance potential threats and enhance their security.
An example is the NATO alliance formed to contain the Soviet Union during the Cold
War.
4. Realists view force as a legitimate and necessary tool for achieving state interests and
ensuring survival in an anarchic system.
5. Realists are skeptical about the effectiveness of international institutions, believing
they are ultimately subservient to the interests of powerful states and have limited
impact on state behavior.
6. Self-help refers to the necessity of states to rely on their own resources and
capabilities for security due to the lack of a global governing authority.
7. The balance of power, where no single state or coalition dominates, can prevent
hegemony and promote stability by discouraging aggression.
8. Realists view cooperation as temporary and driven by self-interest, suggesting it can
easily unravel when state interests diverge.
9. Deterrence involves credibly threatening retaliation to discourage potential
aggressors, serving as a key mechanism for preventing conflict according to realists.
10. The Cold War, characterized by superpower rivalry, arms races, and proxy conflicts,
exemplifies the realist emphasis on power politics and the struggle for security in an
anarchic system.

Essay Questions

1. Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the realist approach to


international security.
2. How does the concept of the security dilemma impact the prospects for international
cooperation?
3. To what extent is the realist perspective on international institutions justified in the
contemporary world?
4. Analyze the role of power in shaping international relations from a realist perspective.
5. Assess the relevance of the realist approach to understanding current global security
challenges.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Anarchy: The absence of a central authority or government in the international


system.
• Self-help: The principle that states must rely on their own resources and capabilities
for security due to anarchy.
• Balance of Power: A distribution of power in the international system where no single
state or coalition is dominant.
• Security Dilemma: A situation where actions taken by one state to enhance its
security are perceived as threats by others, leading to a spiral of insecurity.
• Deterrence: The use of threats of retaliation to discourage potential aggressors.
• Realpolitik: A foreign policy approach based on pragmatic considerations of national
interest and power, often associated with realism.
• Alliances: Formal or informal agreements between states to cooperate on security
matters.
• International Institutions: Organizations and agreements that establish rules and
norms for international interactions.
• National Interest: The goals and objectives that states pursue in the international
arena.
• Power: The ability of an actor to influence the behavior of others, often measured in
terms of military, economic, and political capabilities.

You might also like