Chapter 3 Self-test questions

. How can we best describe liberalism?

Liberalism is a fundamentally pessimistic approach that regards the international system as destined to the escalation of conflict. It is the dominant conception in the practice of international politics.

Liberalism is a new conception in the theory of international politics. It is an optimistic approach that defines the ways in which states should relate to one another, particularly during conflict situations.

Liberalism is an optimistic approach, offering an orientation for the better conduct of international affairs in the belief that a more peaceful world is possible. It is the dominant conception in the practice of international politics.

Liberalism does not exist as a single theory within International Relations, but rather offers a set of guidelines and advice for states and political actors wishing to accrue power within the international system independently from the restrictions of traditional security paradigms.

. Which of these statements does not describe the liberalist conception of the international system?

International politics is not the same everywhere; it is only 'realist' in certain places at certain times.

The nation state does not exist as a unitary actor within the international system.

States are simply one actor within the international system and other actors such as IGOS and NGOS should be considered equally important.

States are and should remain the sole actors to be considered in the study of International Relations.

. Which statement best describes commercial liberalism?

Commercial liberalism is the newest and most important faction of liberalism; it advocates socialist economic principles in order to address inequalities in the distribution of wealth that threaten societal and regime security.

Commercial liberalism is based on the idea that free-trade directly undermines the power of the state, and argues that the market should be regulated where possible by state actors. One flaw of commercial liberalism is that it reduces cooperation and can thus increase conflict between states.

Commercial liberalism is probably the oldest faction of liberalism; advocating free trade as the free movement of goods and capital, it purports that the most rapid and efficient production of wealth occurs when governments do not restrict the economic activity of private actors and the free market.

Commercial liberalism advocates the restraint of private enterprise and non-governmental activity in the economic sphere, arguing that interference will hinder economic prosperity.

. How does the preoccupation with human rights affect the human rights orientated school of liberalism?

Modern human rights-oriented liberalism is concerned with self-determination

Human rights orientated liberalism will advocate separatism where conflict and bloodshed seem inevitable without it

Human rights orientated liberalism is particularly focused on persons subject to economic, sexual, gender, religious, and political persecution, discrimination, or deprivation

All of the above

. Which statement best describes the liberalist attitude towards international organizations?

Liberalism holds that international organizations can enhance national and international security. It advocates the inclusion of non-governmental organizations and other actors to encourage cooperation and build communities.

The liberalist advocacy of cooperation as enhancing security is undermined by the failure of international organizations such as the League of Nations in preventing global conflicts.

Under liberalism's different schools of thought, there is a general consensus that the involvement of international organizations in the political system ultimately undermines security by disempowering the state as a unitary actor.

All of the above

. Which statement best defines the term 'international regime' in relation to liberalism?

The term international regime refers to the governmental or political apparatus that defines the state within the international system.

The term refers to a set of formal or informal principles to which governmental actors subscribe in their decision-making on a particular subject.

International regimes are independent bodies established by a collaboration of governmental and non-state actors to oversee international decision-making processes.

International regimes are also known as international organizations and play a fundamental role as lobbyists, advocating the views of interest groups to state actors.

. Which of the following is not a purported limitation of the liberalist approach?

Liberalism poses great difficulty in defining when the use of force would be justified or necessary.

Liberalism is often internally inconsistent, limiting its applicability for use as a guide.

A failure to address the importance of a wide range of actors in the decision-making processes of the international system.

Liberalist influence merely reflects Western dominance, potentially undermining its relevance in the future.

. How might the global economic crisis be viewed as a challenge to the liberalist perspective?

Governmental cyberspace restrictions, in the form of censorship and monitoring, are increasing

The crisis has revealed the failure of international cooperation to prevent a global catastrophe, in the form of massive economic collapse and contagion

Increasing state involvement in key industrial and financial sectors, including nationalization and state-funded development

All of the above

. What challenges to liberalism did the Arab Spring illustrate?

That many states reject ideas that are Western—such as democracy, free enterprise, and civil rights

That direct military intervention to reduce or suppress a conflict has frequently led to its expansion rather than its end

That liberalist internationalism will almost certainly give way to a multipolar system

All of the above

. How are some states pushing against liberal internationalism?

They press for less interference in domestic affairs

They weaken universal human rights conceptions

They try to move international institutions towards older elements of international law

All of the above

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