Week 2

Question 1

What are the four criteria for statehood under the Montevideo Convention?

Answer 1

Defined territory, permanent population, effective government, capacity to enter relations with other states.

Question 2

What treaty established the modern state system?

Answer 2

Treaty of Westphalia (1648) — introduced sovereignty, legal equality of states, and non-intervention.

Question 3

What did Treaty of Westphalia (1648) introduce

Answer 3

sovereignty

legal equality of states

non-intervention

Question 4

What is sovereignty?

Answer 4

Supreme authority within a state’s territory, free from external interference

Question 5

What are the features of a modern state?

Answer 5

Sovereignty

defined territory

monopoly over coercive force

permanent population

international recognition.

Question 6

What is globalization?

Answer 6

The growing interconnectedness of economies, cultures, and populations across borders.

Question 7

What is the state of nature in political theory?

Answer 7

A chaotic, unsafe condition before the creation of states

Question 8

What is the social contract theory?

Answer 8

People gave up some freedoms to create a state that protects life and property, based on consent.

Question 9

What is the difference between traditional and critical IR theories?

Answer 9

Traditional theories explain how the world works; critical theories challenge power structures,inequality and promote change

Question 10

What are examples of traditional IR theories?

Answer 10

Realism, Liberalism, Neorealism, Neoliberalism, Constructivism.

Question 11

What are examples of critical IR theories?

Answer 11

Marxism, Feminism, Post-Colonialism, Postmodernism

Question 12

What does constructivism focus on in IR?

Answer 12

Ideas, norms, and identities — not just power or money — shape how states behave.

Question 13

What does “socially constructed” mean in constructivism?

Answer 13

It’s the idea that reality is built through individuals’ beliefs,norms and identities — things like sovereignty, human rights, and diplomacy exist because we all agree they matter - it can change any time.

Question 14

What does constructivism say about anarchy?

Answer 14

Anarchy doesn’t always lead to conflict — states can choose to cooperate or compete.