Module- Power Politics (Realism)
Video Lecture - Realism - Part I
https://wku.tegrity.com/#/recording/08599b4f-795d-4aed-984e-5fa43b81498e?playbackToken=10I63HHH9O2RZ
Video Lecture - Realism - Part II
https://wku.tegrity.com/#/recording/7a17429a-a86c-4c48-ba71-d152c8841f90?playbackToken=MQTMI0VY6D30
Lecture 2 Notes - Power Politics
https://blackboard.wku.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4076490-dt-content-rid-21079707_2/courses/201620PS25038120/201520PS25036482_ImportedContent_20150514114214/IR%20WEB%20LEC2%20Power%20Politics%20.pdf
Lecture 2 Powerpoint - Realism
https://blackboard.wku.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-4076491-dt-content-rid-21079709_2/courses/201620PS25038120/201520PS25036482_ImportedContent_20150514114214/250_lec2_realism_BB-1.pdf
Do the EVERYONE DO question (# 18) and TWO additional questions for a TOTAL of 3 questions. You must write the question number AND the entire question/prompt before you answer the question/prompt.
1. What led to the emergence of the two main theories in IR (liberalism and realism)?
2. What are the main assumptions of realism?
3. Identify two of the thinkers that have contributed to realism and describe their contribution. [multiple answers].
4. What is the most common definition of power? What are its flaws?
5. Define power in terms of influence.
6. Define power in terms of capability.
7. How can one estimate power? What are the difficulties in estimating power?
8. What are some tangible and intangible sources of power?
9. What source of power does Goldstein argue is the single most important one? Why does he say this? Using evidence from the real world reject his position.
10. Define anarchy? What aspects of the international system support the view that the system is anarchic?
11. Define sovereignty? In what ways are states still sovereign? In what ways has sovereignty been weakened?
12. What is a security dilemma?
13. What is balance of power? How has it been used as a central concept in realist thinking?
14. What are great powers and what are middle powers?
15. What are power distributions? List the different power distributions.
16. Historically when has there been a hegemony as far as power distribution goes?
17. What are alliances? What purposes do they serve and provide TWO examples.
18. EVERYONE DO [choose A or B]
A. Go to the BBC and find an international event that is about a current conflict and identify the power capabilities used by each side of the conflict. Explain the effectiveness of these capabilities. You may do this on your own or with another student (each focusing on one side/actor involved). Provide the URL.
OR
B. How would you describe the current power distribution? Why do you describe it as such? Discuss this with another classmate, preferably, one that disagrees with you. Also state under what circumstances you believe the power distribution might change and how. Provide some evidence by way of a URL or article link that supports your view.