Learning Objectives - International Relations

Gaining an overview of some key concepts used in the study of international relations is important because:

• it helps in understanding the complexities and dynamics of global interactions.

• it eliminates the need for further study in the field.

• it focuses only on historical events without current relevance.

• it restricts the analysis to domestic politics only.

The difference between international and global politics is important to appreciate because:

• International politics focuses on relations between states, while global politics includes non-state actors and global issues.

• International and global politics are exactly the same concepts.

• Global politics only concerns economic issues, while international politics concerns security.

• International politics ignores the role of international organizations, while global politics does not.

According to Sørensen, Møller and Jackson (2022), is it easy for most people to escape from the effects of nation-states on their daily lives?

• True

• False

Fill in the blank: Political influences are all around us. We cannot begin to think about our lives without thinking about the _______ context we live in.

• political

• economic

• cultural

• technological

What do we want to understand according to the passage? Fill in the blank: We want to understand the relationships and interactions between _______ and the key players in these interactions.

• states

• continents

• languages

• technologies

Which of the following are key concepts in politics?

• Power, Security, Justice

• Money, Fame, Luck

• Art, Music, Dance

• Weather, Climate, Seasons

According to Lukes (1977), to use the vocabulary of power is to speak of human agents who, separately or together, in groups or organisations, through action or inaction, significantly affect the thoughts or actions of others. Who has power?

• Those who significantly affect the thoughts or actions of others

• Only individuals in government positions

• People who do not interact with others

• Only large organizations

The amount of power they have is:

• Limited

• Unlimited

• None

• Very little

‘To use the vocabulary of power… is to speak of human agents separately or together, in groups or organisations, through action or inaction, significantly affecting the thoughts or actions of others.’ (Lukes, 1977) Power is gained by:

• Significantly affecting the thoughts or actions of others

• Accumulating wealth only

• Following strict rules without influence

• Avoiding interaction with others

They use their power to:

• help others

• ignore responsibilities

• cause trouble

• avoid challenges