configurations/distributions of power, according to the Realist worldview
Section A: choose one of the following questions to answer.
1. “Out of the five worldviews discussed in class, Liberalism offers the most compelling
explanation of how the world works.” Do you agree with this statement? Defend your
position, using real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own). Your
response must consider all five worldviews mentioned in class.
2. What is non-paradigmatic research and how does it assess the use of worldviews in the
study of world politics? What is the preferred approach in non-paradigmatic research?
Which larger debate is reflected in the dispute between worldviews and non-paradigmatic
research? Which side are you on (worldviews or non-paradigmatic research)? Defend your
position, using real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own).
Section B: choose one of the following questions to answer.
3. “World politics today is fundamentally different from earlier eras, even if the Westphalian
System provides a measure of continuity.” Do you agree with this statement? Defend your
position, using real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own). Your
response must explain the Westphalian System and why it provides continuity in world
politics.
4. What are the different configurations/distributions of power, according to the Realist
worldview? How does each configuration/distribution of power bring about peace and
order (give examples)? Which configuration/distribution of power do you think is the most
effective at bringing about world peace and order? Defend your position, using real world
examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own).
Section C: choose one of the following questions to answer.
5. What are the three models of decision-making discussed during the section on foreign
policy? Provide explanations of how each one works. Are the models somehow compatible
PSCI 240-001 (2018 WINTER) MID-TERM TEST
2
with each other? If so, how? If not, why not? Which decision-making model(s) best
explains the actual process of foreign policy decision-making? Defend your position, using
real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own).
6. “The state level of analysis offers the best explanation for state behaviour in world politics.”
Do you agree with this statement? Defend your position, using real world examples (from
the lectures, the textbook, or your own). Your response must consider all three levels of
analysis.
Section D: choose one of the following questions to answer.
7. “Just War Doctrine proves that the Constructivist worldview best explains how states
behave in world politics.” Do you agree with this statement? Defend your position, using
real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own). Your response must
consider how Realism and Liberalism account for the existence of Just War Doctrine.
8. How does Realism, Liberalism, and Constructivism each explain the recent decline in
interstate warfare? Which explanation do you find the most persuasive? Defend your
position, using real world examples (from the lectures, the textbook, or your own).