International Relations Theory Applied

How would a Realist most likely interpret the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021?

• As a moral failure to protect human rights

• As a strategic recalibration to focus on great power competition

• As evidence of the U.S. embracing international norms

• As an opportunity for feminist peacebuilding

From a Liberalist perspective, what is the significance of the Paris Climate Agreement?

• It demonstrates how global class struggles can shape policy

• It shows how international institutions facilitate cooperation

• It reflects the West’s exploitation of the Global South

• It is a mechanism for hegemonic control by developed nations

According to Marxist theory, what does the global distribution of COVID-19 vaccines reveal?

• The triumph of multilateral cooperation

• The prioritization of gendered care roles

• Structural inequality in the global capitalist system

• The success of international organizations in managing crises

A Postcolonial analysis of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) would most likely highlight:

• A shared commitment to liberal economic order

• China’s rejection of military alliances

• The reproduction of imperial hierarchies through infrastructure debt

• An effort to democratize global trade norms

How would a Feminist IR scholar likely view the global response to the Syrian refugee crisis?

• A breakdown of state sovereignty

• An example of effective humanitarian intervention

• A neglect of women's specific needs and vulnerabilities

• A case of economic exploitation by capitalist states

Which two statements reflect a Realist interpretation of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine?

• Russia is acting to protect ethnic minorities

• The invasion reflects power balancing in a multipolar world

• States act primarily based on moral obligations

• NATO expansion is perceived as a security threat by Russia

From a Liberalist perspective, which two elements are crucial in addressing climate change?

• Strengthening international agreements like the UNFCCC

• Reducing state sovereignty in favor of global governance

• Expanding free trade regardless of environmental costs

• Building interdependence through environmental cooperation

Which two aspects of the global economy would Marxist theorists critique in relation to Big Tech companies?

• Their role in reinforcing global labour inequalities

• Their capacity to connect people across borders

• Their extraction of surplus value from workers in the Global South

• Their facilitation of democratic participation through social media

A Postcolonial interpretation of Western military interventions in the Middle East would likely emphasize (choose two):

• The continuation of so called "civilizing missions" under new forms

• The spread of democratic values and liberal institutions

• Resistance from local populations against neo-colonial dominance

• The efficacy of UN peacekeeping operations

From a Feminist IR perspective, what two issues are central to analysing the global arms trade?

• How militarism reinforces patriarchal structures

• How arms sales empower marginalized states

• The gendered impact of armed conflict on civilians

• The deterrent role of nuclear weapons