International Relations

Realism vs. Liberalism in IR MCQs with Answers

What is the primary belief of Realism in international relations?
A) States seek to maximize their economic welfare and prosperity
B) States act based on a rational pursuit of power and security
C) Global institutions can ensure peace and cooperation
D) Humanitarian values should govern international politics

Answer
B) States act based on a rational pursuit of power and security

According to Liberalism, what is the key to achieving peace in international relations?
A) The balance of power
B) The spread of democratic governance and institutions
C) The accumulation of military power
D) The alliance of great powers

Answer
B) The spread of democratic governance and institutions

Which of the following would a Realist argue is the most important factor in international relations?
A) The creation of global economic agreements
B) The construction of international laws and norms
C) The pursuit of national interest through power and security
D) The spread of human rights and democracy worldwide

Answer
C) The pursuit of national interest through power and security

How do Realists view international institutions?
A) As tools for fostering cooperation and peace
B) As neutral platforms that promote equality
C) As mechanisms to reflect the interests of powerful states
D) As irrelevant to global politics

Answer
C) As mechanisms to reflect the interests of powerful states

Which of the following is a core principle of Liberalism in international relations?
A) Conflict is an inevitable feature of international politics
B) Cooperation is possible through international institutions and norms
C) States should act in isolation to ensure their security
D) Power is the central element in determining state behavior

Answer
B) Cooperation is possible through international institutions and norms

What is the Realist view on human nature?
A) Humans are naturally cooperative and peaceful
B) Humans are inherently selfish and power-seeking
C) Humans are altruistic and aim to improve the global community
D) Humans are guided primarily by moral principles

Answer
B) Humans are inherently selfish and power-seeking

According to Liberalism, how can international conflicts be avoided?
A) By enhancing military power and deterrence
B) By encouraging states to form alliances based on common interests
C) By focusing on arms races and security competition
D) By fostering cooperation through global institutions, treaties, and diplomacy

Answer
D) By fostering cooperation through global institutions, treaties, and diplomacy

What is a key difference between Realism and Liberalism?
A) Realism focuses on the role of international institutions, while Liberalism does not
B) Realism emphasizes power and conflict, while Liberalism emphasizes cooperation and peace
C) Liberalism focuses on the inevitability of war, while Realism advocates for diplomacy
D) Realism rejects the idea of national interest, while Liberalism promotes it

Answer
B) Realism emphasizes power and conflict, while Liberalism emphasizes cooperation and peace

In which of the following areas would a Realist be most likely to focus?
A) The promotion of global economic development
B) The building of multilateral diplomatic institutions
C) The analysis of the balance of power between states
D) The protection of human rights and the environment

Answer
C) The analysis of the balance of power between states

How do Realists view the possibility of lasting international cooperation?
A) They believe that international cooperation is always possible through diplomacy
B) They are skeptical about the long-term possibility of true cooperation, given the selfish nature of states
C) They believe that cooperation is inevitable when states share common values
D) They advocate for an international system of collective security that ensures peace

Answer
B) They are skeptical about the long-term possibility of true cooperation, given the selfish nature of states

Which of the following is a primary concern for Liberalism?
A) The distribution of power among states
B) The development of international laws and norms
C) The prevention of military conflict through arms races
D) The accumulation of power and influence by great powers

Answer
B) The development of international laws and norms

According to Realism, what is the primary driver of state behavior?
A) The desire for international cooperation and mutual benefits
B) The pursuit of economic wealth and prosperity
C) The need for survival and the accumulation of power
D) The promotion of global humanitarian values

Answer
C) The need for survival and the accumulation of power

What is the Liberal perspective on war and conflict in international relations?
A) War is inevitable and cannot be avoided
B) Conflict is only caused by the imbalance of military power
C) Conflict can be minimized through democratic institutions and global cooperation
D) War is the result of the selfish actions of individual leaders

Answer
C) Conflict can be minimized through democratic institutions and global cooperation

Which of the following would be considered a key criticism of Liberalism in international relations?
A) It places too much emphasis on the role of military power
B) It underestimates the role of power and security in global politics
C) It assumes that states will always act in cooperation
D) It focuses solely on the political and economic aspects of states

Answer
B) It underestimates the role of power and security in global politics

What does Realism say about the nature of international relations?
A) International relations are governed by mutual cooperation and shared values
B) States act in their self-interest and are primarily concerned with power and survival
C) War is always the result of individual leadership failures
D) Global institutions can enforce peace and prevent conflict

Answer
B) States act in their self-interest and are primarily concerned with power and survival

What is the Liberal perspective on the role of international organizations?
A) International organizations are tools used by powerful states to enforce their will
B) International organizations help states resolve disputes and promote cooperation
C) International organizations are irrelevant and ineffective in global politics
D) International organizations primarily serve the interests of major global powers

Answer
B) International organizations help states resolve disputes and promote cooperation

According to Realism, what is the central concern of states in international politics?
A) Ensuring human rights and global welfare
B) Protecting their sovereignty and maintaining security
C) Promoting global trade and economic relations
D) Fostering cultural exchanges and cooperation

Answer
B) Protecting their sovereignty and maintaining security

What is one of the central ideas of Liberalism regarding international relations?
A) The global system is an anarchy with no room for cooperation
B) States are the primary actors and should prioritize military power
C) States can cooperate through institutions, treaties, and norms to achieve mutual gains
D) Conflict is the natural and unavoidable result of international competition

Answer
C) States can cooperate through institutions, treaties, and norms to achieve mutual gains

How do Realists generally view human nature in relation to international politics?
A) Humans are driven by moral principles that lead to peace
B) Humans are driven by the need to expand economic wealth
C) Humans are naturally inclined to seek power and dominance over others
D) Humans are inherently peaceful and cooperative

Answer
C) Humans are naturally inclined to seek power and dominance over others

Which of the following is a key tenet of Liberalism?
A) International relations are dominated by military and economic competition
B) States must build up their military power to ensure security
C) Cooperation among states can be achieved through international organizations and law
D) International conflicts are the result of miscommunication and misunderstanding

Answer
C) Cooperation among states can be achieved through international organizations and law

How do Liberalists believe democracy affects international relations?
A) Democratic states will inevitably go to war with each other
B) Democratic states are more likely to cooperate and avoid conflict
C) Democracies are more likely to act unilaterally and seek dominance
D) Democracy has no effect on international politics

Answer
B) Democratic states are more likely to cooperate and avoid conflict

What is the Realist view on international cooperation?
A) States cooperate out of mutual interest and shared values
B) Cooperation is possible, but it is secondary to the pursuit of power
C) States should always prioritize cooperation and peacekeeping efforts
D) Cooperation is unnecessary and states should focus only on their own survival

Answer
B) Cooperation is possible, but it is secondary to the pursuit of power

What do Realists believe about the role of morality in international politics?
A) Morality is central to state behavior and international relations
B) Morality should guide international institutions and norms
C) Morality is irrelevant, and states should focus on their security interests
D) Morality is only relevant in relations between democratic states

Answer
C) Morality is irrelevant, and states should focus on their security interests

What is the Liberal perspective on the global balance of power?
A) The balance of power should be achieved through military superiority
B) Power should be distributed evenly to prevent domination by any one state
C) Global power is unimportant as long as states cooperate through institutions
D) The global balance of power is irrelevant to achieving global peace

Answer
C) Global power is unimportant as long as states cooperate through institutions

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