Basics of International Relations MCQs with Answers
What is the primary focus of International Relations (IR)?
A) Domestic policy
B) Relations between countries and global issues
C) Economic policies of individual states
D) Military strategies of a state
Which of the following is considered a key actor in International Relations?
A) The United Nations
B) The World Health Organization
C) International corporations
D) All of the above
What does the theory of Realism in International Relations emphasize?
A) International cooperation through diplomacy
B) The role of power and self-interest in state behavior
C) The importance of economic interdependence
D) The spread of democracy across the world
Which of the following best describes Liberalism in International Relations?
A) States act in their own self-interest through military power
B) International institutions and laws can help reduce conflicts
C) Global peace can be achieved through economic dominance
D) States should work independently in foreign policy
What is the term used to describe a country’s power to influence other countries’ behavior?
A) National interest
B) Soft power
C) Hard power
D) Sovereignty
Which theory in International Relations views state behavior as shaped by historical and social factors?
A) Constructivism
B) Realism
C) Liberalism
D) Marxism
Which of the following is a major international organization that promotes global cooperation?
A) European Union
B) United Nations
C) World Trade Organization
D) All of the above
What is a state’s sovereignty in the context of International Relations?
A) The ability to impose international law on other countries
B) The authority to govern within its territorial boundaries without external interference
C) The control over international trade
D) The diplomatic influence over neighboring states
What is the main goal of diplomacy in International Relations?
A) To maintain military superiority
B) To achieve international trade agreements
C) To prevent conflict and promote cooperation between states
D) To enforce domestic policies on foreign countries
Which of the following is NOT typically considered a non-state actor in International Relations?
A) Multinational corporations
B) International organizations
C) A single nation-state
D) Non-governmental organizations
What is the main difference between bilateral and multilateral diplomacy?
A) Bilateral involves multiple countries, while multilateral involves two countries
B) Bilateral diplomacy is more formal than multilateral diplomacy
C) Bilateral diplomacy involves two countries, while multilateral diplomacy involves more than two countries
D) Bilateral diplomacy is concerned with trade, while multilateral is about security
What is the role of international law in International Relations?
A) To guarantee the right to war
B) To regulate state behavior and resolve disputes
C) To ensure economic growth for all nations
D) To limit state sovereignty
What does the concept of “balance of power” refer to in International Relations?
A) The equality of economic resources among nations
B) The distribution of military capabilities to prevent any one state from becoming too powerful
C) The alignment of nations in favor of democracy
D) The establishment of global free trade
Which of the following best describes “globalization”?
A) The process of reducing the power of international organizations
B) The increasing interconnectedness and interdependence of countries
C) The enforcement of a single global language
D) The spread of democracy across the world
Which theory in International Relations emphasizes the role of economics and class struggle?
A) Liberalism
B) Marxism
C) Constructivism
D) Neorealism
What does the theory of “neorealism” argue about the international system?
A) States act according to moral principles
B) The international system is anarchic, with no central authority
C) States’ behaviors are primarily determined by economic interests
D) International cooperation is always possible
Which of the following is a key feature of international relations from a liberal perspective?
A) The view that war is inevitable
B) The belief that human nature leads to conflict
C) The importance of economic interdependence and cooperation
D) The idea that power is the most important factor in international politics
What does the term “hard power” refer to in International Relations?
A) Power derived from diplomacy and negotiation
B) Power derived from military and economic force
C) Power derived from the use of international law
D) Power derived from cultural influence
What is the primary goal of the United Nations (UN)?
A) To promote global trade and economic growth
B) To maintain international peace and security
C) To establish military alliances
D) To promote national sovereignty at all costs
Which of the following is an example of a non-governmental organization (NGO)?
A) United Nations
B) World Trade Organization
C) International Red Cross
D) World Bank
What does the theory of “constructivism” argue about international relations?
A) States act according to fixed interests based on power
B) State behavior is shaped by social interactions, ideas, and norms
C) International politics are driven by economic resources
D) States will always act in their self-interest
Which of the following best describes “sovereignty” in international relations?
A) The ability of a state to influence others through diplomacy
B) The ability to act independently and govern within recognized borders
C) The responsibility of states to create international trade agreements
D) The power of international organizations to control state actions
What does “international anarchy” mean in the context of Realism?
A) A situation where international law prevails and all states cooperate
B) The absence of a central authority governing the relations between states
C) A system of global governance led by a few powerful states
D) The existence of international peace due to the spread of democracy
What is the primary function of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in global politics?
A) To promote international peace and security
B) To provide loans and financial assistance to struggling economies
C) To regulate international trade agreements
D) To monitor human rights violations globally
Which term refers to the idea that states work together to achieve common goals, often through international institutions?
A) Realism
B) Neorealism
C) International cooperation
D) Isolationism
Which of the following is the primary difference between the concepts of “hard power” and “soft power”?
A) Hard power is based on coercion, while soft power is based on attraction and persuasion
B) Hard power is used to influence military strategies, while soft power is used for economic control
C) Hard power is reliant on diplomacy, while soft power uses military force
D) Hard power involves economic sanctions, while soft power promotes human rights