Theories of International Relations # MCQs Practice set

Q.1 Which theory of International Relations emphasizes the anarchic nature of the international system and the pursuit of power by states?

Liberalism
Realism
Constructivism
Marxism
Explanation - Realism focuses on the anarchic nature of the international system, where states prioritize survival and power over moral or ideological concerns.
Correct answer is: Realism

Q.2 Which theory believes that international institutions and cooperation can reduce conflict between states?

Realism
Liberalism
Feminism
Postcolonialism
Explanation - Liberalism emphasizes cooperation, international institutions, and rules to promote peace and reduce conflict between states.
Correct answer is: Liberalism

Q.3 Constructivist theory in International Relations primarily focuses on:

Power and security
Economic inequality
Socially constructed norms and identities
Military alliances
Explanation - Constructivism highlights that state behavior is influenced by social norms, shared ideas, and identities rather than just material power.
Correct answer is: Socially constructed norms and identities

Q.4 Which IR theory is most concerned with class struggle and economic exploitation at the global level?

Realism
Marxism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Explanation - Marxist theory focuses on global economic structures, class struggle, and how capitalist exploitation influences international relations.
Correct answer is: Marxism

Q.5 Which theory emphasizes the role of gender in shaping international politics?

Feminism
Realism
Liberalism
Marxism
Explanation - Feminist theory in IR examines how gendered perspectives affect power, security, and international decision-making.
Correct answer is: Feminism

Q.6 What is the main assumption of Classical Realism?

States act based on moral principles
Human nature is selfish and drives state behavior
International law dictates state behavior
Globalization ensures peace
Explanation - Classical Realism assumes that states seek power and security because human nature is inherently self-interested.
Correct answer is: Human nature is selfish and drives state behavior

Q.7 Neorealism differs from Classical Realism by focusing on:

Human nature
State preferences
Structure of the international system
Economic inequality
Explanation - Neorealism emphasizes the anarchic structure of the international system as the primary determinant of state behavior rather than human nature.
Correct answer is: Structure of the international system

Q.8 Which theory argues that global capitalism and economic dependency shape state interactions?

Liberalism
Dependency Theory
Constructivism
Realism
Explanation - Dependency Theory, derived from Marxist thought, emphasizes that developed states exploit less-developed states through economic dependency.
Correct answer is: Dependency Theory

Q.9 English School in IR theory is primarily known for introducing which concept?

Balance of power
International society
World-systems theory
Democratic peace theory
Explanation - The English School emphasizes that states form an international society governed by shared norms, rules, and institutions despite the anarchic system.
Correct answer is: International society

Q.10 Which theory suggests that states act according to socially constructed identities rather than fixed interests?

Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Feminism
Explanation - Constructivism argues that state interests and behaviors are shaped by social interactions, norms, and identities, not solely material power.
Correct answer is: Constructivism

Q.11 Which theory in IR emphasizes the peaceful resolution of disputes through international law and organizations?

Liberalism
Realism
Marxism
Constructivism
Explanation - Liberalism highlights that international law, norms, and institutions reduce conflict and encourage cooperation between states.
Correct answer is: Liberalism

Q.12 According to Realist theory, the primary goal of a state is to:

Promote democracy globally
Maximize power and ensure survival
Achieve economic equality
Follow international law strictly
Explanation - Realism posits that in an anarchic international system, states prioritize security and power to survive.
Correct answer is: Maximize power and ensure survival

Q.13 Which theory critiques the dominant Western-centric perspective in IR and emphasizes historical colonial contexts?

Postcolonialism
Liberalism
Realism
Constructivism
Explanation - Postcolonial theory focuses on the legacies of colonialism and challenges Eurocentric approaches to international relations.
Correct answer is: Postcolonialism

Q.14 Democratic Peace Theory suggests that:

Democracies are more likely to go to war
Democracies rarely fight each other
Realist principles dominate democratic foreign policy
International institutions are irrelevant
Explanation - Democratic Peace Theory posits that democratic states tend not to engage in war with one another due to shared norms and institutional constraints.
Correct answer is: Democracies rarely fight each other

Q.15 Which IR theory emphasizes the role of ideas, beliefs, and norms in shaping international outcomes?

Realism
Constructivism
Marxism
Liberalism
Explanation - Constructivism asserts that material power alone cannot explain state behavior; ideas and social norms are critical in shaping international politics.
Correct answer is: Constructivism

Q.16 Which theory highlights the intersection of global politics with environmental, economic, and social structures?

Marxism
Global Political Economy
Feminism
Realism
Explanation - Global Political Economy focuses on the interconnection between politics, economics, and social structures in shaping international relations.
Correct answer is: Global Political Economy

Q.17 Which perspective sees international law and institutions as tools primarily reflecting the interests of powerful states?

Liberalism
Realism
Constructivism
Feminism
Explanation - Realists argue that international law and organizations are instruments used by powerful states to further their own interests.
Correct answer is: Realism

Q.18 Which theory focuses on understanding international relations through the lens of race, ethnicity, and postcolonial histories?

Postcolonialism
Liberalism
Realism
Constructivism
Explanation - Postcolonial theory analyzes how historical colonization and racial hierarchies influence contemporary international relations.
Correct answer is: Postcolonialism

Q.19 Critical Theory in IR seeks to:

Explain state behavior using power politics
Critique existing power structures and propose emancipatory change
Promote military alliances
Support neoliberal economic policies
Explanation - Critical Theory challenges dominant paradigms and aims to uncover inequalities and envision transformative changes in international relations.
Correct answer is: Critique existing power structures and propose emancipatory change

Q.20 Which IR theory challenges the notion that the state is the only important actor in global politics?

Realism
Liberalism
Neo-Gramscianism
Constructivism
Explanation - Neo-Gramscian theory emphasizes the influence of global structures, economic classes, and transnational actors beyond just states.
Correct answer is: Neo-Gramscianism

Q.21 Which theory argues that states' perceptions of threats are shaped by socially constructed ideas rather than objective reality?

Realism
Constructivism
Marxism
Liberalism
Explanation - Constructivism holds that threats and security are interpreted through social interactions and shared beliefs, not just material capabilities.
Correct answer is: Constructivism

Q.22 Which feminist approach in IR focuses on the marginalization of women in global security and policy-making?

Liberal Feminism
Postcolonial Feminism
Critical Feminism
Realist Feminism
Explanation - Liberal Feminism in IR seeks to address inequalities by promoting women's participation and representation in international security and policy arenas.
Correct answer is: Liberal Feminism

Q.23 World-Systems Theory in IR is primarily concerned with:

Power politics and military alliances
Economic and social hierarchies in the global system
Norms and identity
Environmental issues
Explanation - World-Systems Theory analyzes global inequality, dividing countries into core, semi-periphery, and periphery based on economic exploitation.
Correct answer is: Economic and social hierarchies in the global system

Q.24 Which IR theory critiques the dominance of Western thought and emphasizes non-Western perspectives?

Realism
Postcolonialism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Explanation - Postcolonial theory challenges Eurocentric paradigms and highlights the experiences and agency of non-Western actors in international relations.
Correct answer is: Postcolonialism

Q.25 Which IR theory emphasizes that economic structures and class relationships underpin international power dynamics?

Marxism
Realism
Liberalism
Constructivism
Explanation - Marxist theory views international relations through the lens of global capitalism and class struggle, emphasizing economic exploitation and structural inequality.
Correct answer is: Marxism