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Comprehensive MCQs on Realism and Liberalism in International Relations

Enhance Your Understanding with These 50 Thought-Provoking Questions

international relations conference

Key Takeaways

  • Realism emphasizes power dynamics and state sovereignty in an anarchic international system.
  • Liberalism focuses on cooperation, international institutions, and the role of non-state actors.
  • Understanding the core principles and key scholars of both theories is crucial for analyzing global politics.

Statement-Based Questions

  1. Realism views the international system as being in a constant state of:

    • A. Anarchy
    • B. Harmony
    • C. Cooperation
    • D. Integration
      Answer: A. Anarchy
  2. Liberalism emphasizes which primary principle in international politics?

    • A. Balance of power
    • B. Survival
    • C. Cooperation
    • D. Military superiority
      Answer: C. Cooperation
  3. According to Liberalism, which of the following entities plays a significant role in international relations besides the state?

    • A. Military alliances
    • B. Non-state actors like NGOs
    • C. Religious groups
    • D. Mercenary groups
      Answer: B. Non-state actors like NGOs
  4. Realists prioritize which principle in international politics?

    • A. Universal morality
    • B. State sovereignty
    • C. Global governance
    • D. Economic interdependence
      Answer: B. State sovereignty
  5. The concept of the "security dilemma" is most associated with:

    • A. Realism
    • B. Liberalism
    • C. Marxism
    • D. Constructivism
      Answer: A. Realism

Assertion-Reason Questions

  1. Assertion: Realists believe that war is inevitable in international relations.
    Reason: The international system lacks a central authority.

    • A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
    • B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
    • C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
    • D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
      Answer: A
  2. Assertion: Liberals argue for the spread of democracy to reduce conflicts.
    Reason: Liberal democracies rarely go to war with one another.

    • A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
    • B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
    • C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
    • D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
      Answer: A
  3. Assertion: Neoliberals focus on the importance of institutions in international relations.
    Reason: Institutions reduce transaction costs and foster repeated cooperation.

    • A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
    • B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
    • C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
    • D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
      Answer: A
  4. Assertion: Realism overlooks the role of international institutions.
    Reason: Institutions have the power to enforce international norms.

    • A. Both Assertion and Reason are true, and Reason explains Assertion
    • B. Both Assertion and Reason are true, but Reason does not explain Assertion
    • C. Assertion is true, but Reason is false
    • D. Assertion is false, but Reason is true
      Answer: B
  5. Assertion: Liberalism incorporates both state and non-state actors in its analysis.
    Reason: Liberal theories recognize the influence of multinational corporations and NGOs.
    Answer: A


Scholar-Based Questions

  1. Who is the key proponent of the Democratic Peace Theory within Liberalism?

    • A. Immanuel Kant
    • B. John Locke
    • C. Michael Doyle
    • D. Robert Keohane
      Answer: C. Michael Doyle
  2. The concept of "offensive realism" is most closely associated with which scholar?

    • A. Hans Morgenthau
    • B. Kenneth Waltz
    • C. John Mearsheimer
    • D. Hedley Bull
      Answer: C. John Mearsheimer
  3. "Anarchy is what states make of it" is a critique of Realism made by:

    • A. Kenneth Waltz
    • B. Alexander Wendt
    • C. Francis Fukuyama
    • D. E.H. Carr
      Answer: B. Alexander Wendt
  4. Which Classical Realist argued that international politics is defined by "a struggle for power"?

    • A. Niccolò Machiavelli
    • B. Hans Morgenthau
    • C. Thomas Hobbes
    • D. Reinhold Niebuhr
      Answer: B. Hans Morgenthau
  5. Which scholar is associated with the concept of "hegemonic stability theory"?

    • A. Robert Gilpin
    • B. Stephen Krasner
    • C. Robert Cox
    • D. Susan Strange
      Answer: A. Robert Gilpin

Theory-Based Questions

  1. The concept of "Complex Interdependence" is associated with:

    • A. Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye
    • B. Kenneth Waltz
    • C. Hans Morgenthau
    • D. John Mearsheimer
      Answer: A. Robert Keohane and Joseph Nye
  2. Which theory emphasizes absolute gains over relative gains?

    • A. Liberalism
    • B. Realism
    • C. Mercantilism
    • D. Marxism
      Answer: A. Liberalism
  3. Which of these is a key principle of neoliberal institutionalism?

    • A. International institutions facilitate cooperation
    • B. Military power is supreme
    • C. States always act in self-interest
    • D. Balance of power is inevitable
      Answer: A. International institutions facilitate cooperation
  4. Which theory emphasizes the role of ideas, norms, and social identities in shaping international relations?

    • A. Realism
    • B. Liberalism
    • C. Constructivism
    • D. Marxism
      Answer: C. Constructivism
  5. The "Prisoner's Dilemma" is often used to explain:

    • A. Challenges of international cooperation
    • B. Democratic peace
    • C. Balance of power
    • D. Cultural hegemony
      Answer: A. Challenges of international cooperation

Variant-Specific Questions

  1. Defensive realism primarily differs from offensive realism in emphasizing:

    • A. Balance of threat
    • B. Expansion of territory
    • C. Nuclear deterrence
    • D. International institutions
      Answer: A. Balance of threat
  2. Which of the following is a key assumption of structural realism?

    • A. The international system is anarchic
    • B. States are rational actors
    • C. States are unitary actors
    • D. All of the above
      Answer: D. All of the above
  3. Which concept is central to offensive realism?

    • A. Maximizing power
    • B. International cooperation
    • C. Democratic peace
    • D. Economic interdependence
      Answer: A. Maximizing power
  4. Republican Liberalism emphasizes:

    • A. Democratic institutions
    • B. Military power
    • C. Economic interdependence
    • D. Cultural factors
      Answer: A. Democratic institutions
  5. Which variant of liberalism focuses on creating international norms and values?

    • A. Commercial Liberalism
    • B. Republican Liberalism
    • C. Institutional Liberalism
    • D. Democratic Liberalism
      Answer: C. Institutional Liberalism

Book-Based Questions

  1. What is the title of Kenneth Waltz's influential work on Neorealism?

    • A. "Man, the State, and War"
    • B. "The Tragedy of Great Power Politics"
    • C. "Theory of International Politics"
    • D. "Politics Among Nations"
      Answer: C. "Theory of International Politics"
  2. “Politics Among Nations” was authored by:

    • A. Thomas Hobbes
    • B. E.H. Carr
    • C. Reinhold Niebuhr
    • D. Hans Morgenthau
      Answer: D. Hans Morgenthau
  3. The book “The End of History and the Last Man” by Francis Fukuyama is associated with which school of thought?

    • A. Realism
    • B. Liberalism
    • C. Marxism
    • D. Constructivism
      Answer: B. Liberalism
  4. "Man, the State, and War" was written by:

    • A. Kenneth Waltz
    • B. Hans Morgenthau
    • C. John Mearsheimer
    • D. Robert Keohane
      Answer: A. Kenneth Waltz
  5. The book "After Hegemony" was written by:

    • A. Robert Keohane
    • B. Joseph Nye
    • C. Kenneth Waltz
    • D. Alexander Wendt
      Answer: A. Robert Keohane

Quote Recognition Questions

  1. "Man is selfish by nature, and war is a constant" is an idea most associated with:

    • A. Liberalism
    • B. Realism
    • C. Constructivism
    • D. Idealism
      Answer: B. Realism
  2. Immanuel Kant’s quote “Perpetual Peace” is foundational to what key Liberal idea?

    • A. Collective security
    • B. Anarchy in the system
    • C. Democratic Peace Theory
    • D. Deterrence
      Answer: C. Democratic Peace Theory
  3. “Anarchy is what states make of it” was stated by:

    • A. Hans Morgenthau
    • B. Alexander Wendt
    • C. Francis Fukuyama
    • D. E.H. Carr
      Answer: B. Alexander Wendt
  4. Which scholar's work includes the famous "Melian Dialogue," illustrating Realist power politics?

    • A. Thucydides
    • B. Niccolò Machiavelli
    • C. Thomas Hobbes
    • D. John Mearsheimer
      Answer: A. Thucydides
  5. “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must” is a principle associated with:

    • A. Liberalism
    • B. Realism
    • C. Constructivism
    • D. Marxism
      Answer: B. Realism

Miscellaneous Questions

  1. The concept of "soft power" was introduced by:

    • A. Joseph Nye
    • B. Robert Keohane
    • C. Alexander Wendt
    • D. John Mearsheimer
      Answer: A. Joseph Nye
  2. The "balance of threat" theory was proposed by:

    • A. Stephen Walt
    • B. Kenneth Waltz
    • C. John Mearsheimer
    • D. Robert Jervis
      Answer: A. Stephen Walt
  3. Which theory emphasizes the importance of domestic political structures in shaping foreign policy?

    • A. Classical realism
    • B. Neorealism
    • C. Liberal internationalism
    • D. Constructivism
      Answer: C. Liberal internationalism
  4. The "tragedy of great power politics" is a concept introduced by:

    • A. John Mearsheimer
    • B. Kenneth Waltz
    • C. Hans Morgenthau
    • D. Robert Jervis
      Answer: A. John Mearsheimer
  5. The idea that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other is known as:

    • A. The Democratic Peace Theory
    • B. The Liberal Peace Hypothesis
    • C. The Republican Security Theory
    • D. The Kantian Triangle
      Answer: A. The Democratic Peace Theory
  6. Which liberal thinker emphasized the importance of free trade in promoting peace?

    • A. Norman Angell
    • B. Woodrow Wilson
    • C. Michael Doyle
    • D. Robert Keohane
      Answer: A. Norman Angell
  7. Which of the following is NOT a key assumption of neoliberal institutionalism?

    • A. International institutions facilitate cooperation
    • B. States always prioritize relative gains
    • C. The international system is inherently conflictual
    • D. Human nature is fundamentally selfish
      Answer: B. States always prioritize relative gains
  8. The "neo-neo synthesis" refers to the convergence of:

    • A. Neorealism and neoliberalism
    • B. Classical realism and neorealism
    • C. Liberalism and constructivism
    • D. Marxism and feminism
      Answer: A. Neorealism and neoliberalism
  9. The concept of "embedded liberalism" was introduced by:

    • A. John Ruggie
    • B. Robert Keohane
    • C. Joseph Nye
    • D. Alexander Wendt
      Answer: A. John Ruggie
  10. Which of the following is a key criticism of realist theory in international relations?

    • A. It overemphasizes the role of power
    • B. It underestimates the importance of international institutions
    • C. It fails to account for cooperation among states
    • D. All of the above
      Answer: D. All of the above

Additional Questions

  1. Which liberal theory argues that economic interdependence reduces the likelihood of war?

    • A. Democratic Peace Theory
    • B. Institutional Liberalism
    • C. Commercial Liberalism
    • D. Republican Liberalism
      Answer: C. Commercial Liberalism
  2. Which realist concept suggests that states will ally against the most powerful state in the system?

    • A. Bandwagoning
    • B. Balancing
    • C. Buck-passing
    • D. Appeasement
      Answer: B. Balancing
  3. The concept of "relative gains" is most closely associated with:

    • A. Realism
    • B. Liberalism
    • C. Constructivism
    • D. Marxism
      Answer: A. Realism
  4. Which liberal thinker is associated with the concept of "collective security"?

    • A. Woodrow Wilson
    • B. Immanuel Kant
    • C. John Locke
    • D. Jeremy Bentham
      Answer: A. Woodrow Wilson
  5. Which realist scholar introduced the concept of "defensive realism"?

    • A. Kenneth Waltz
    • B. John Mearsheimer
    • C. Stephen Walt
    • D. Robert Jervis
      Answer: C. Stephen Walt
  6. Which liberal theory focuses on the role of international institutions in fostering cooperation?

    • A. Democratic Peace Theory
    • B. Institutional Liberalism
    • C. Commercial Liberalism
    • D. Republican Liberalism
      Answer: B. Institutional Liberalism
  7. The "balance of power" is a central concept in:

    • A. Liberalism
    • B. Realism
    • C. Constructivism
    • D. Marxism
      Answer: B. Realism
  8. Which book is considered foundational for Neorealism?

    • A. "Man, the State, and War"
    • B. "Theory of International Politics"
    • C. "Politics Among Nations"
    • D. "The Tragedy of Great Power Politics"
      Answer: B. "Theory of International Politics"
  9. Which of the following is a criticism of liberalism in international relations?

    • A. It overemphasizes the role of military power
    • B. It ignores the importance of international institutions
    • C. It underestimates the role of domestic politics
    • D. It fails to account for the security dilemma
      Answer: D. It fails to account for the security dilemma
  10. Which realist scholar is known for the "security dilemma" concept?

    • A. Hans Morgenthau
    • B. Kenneth Waltz
    • C. John Mearsheimer
    • D. Robert Jervis
      Answer: D. Robert Jervis

Recap

This comprehensive set of 50 multiple-choice questions provides an in-depth exploration of Realism and Liberalism within international relations. By covering various aspects such as foundational theories, key scholars, seminal works, and critical concepts, these questions are designed to enhance your understanding and analytical skills in global politics.


References

  1. MCQs of International Relations - One MCQ
  2. Realism and Liberalism in International Relations - E-International Relations
  3. Realism and Neorealism MCQs
  4. Crafton Hills - Politics Test Bank
  5. International Relations Theory - E-International Relations
  6. Realism in International Relations - Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
  7. One World, Rival Theories - Foreign Policy

Last updated January 23, 2025
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