Realism and Neorealism MCQs - International Relations IR

1. Which of the following is a core principle of Realism?
A) The primacy of international law
B) The inevitability of conflict
C) The possibility of global cooperation
D) The role of international organizations
Answer: B) The inevitability of conflict

2. Who is often considered the father of Realism in International Relations?
A) Immanuel Kant
B) John Mearsheimer
C) Hans Morgenthau
D) Kenneth Waltz
Answer: C) Hans Morgenthau

3. Which concept is central to Neorealism?
A) The balance of power
B) The importance of international norms
C) The role of domestic politics
D) The structure of the international system
Answer: D) The structure of the international system

4. According to Realism, what is the primary motivation of states?
A) Economic gain
B) Humanitarian concerns
C) Security and power
D) Ideological expansion
Answer: C) Security and power

5. Which scholar is most closely associated with Neorealism?
A) Morgenthau
B) Wendt
C) Waltz
D) Keohane
Answer: C) Waltz

6. Which of the following best describes the Neorealist view of the international system?
A) Hierarchical and orderly
B) Anarchical and self-help
C) Cooperative and interdependent
D) Based on international law and ethics
Answer: B) Anarchical and self-help

7. What does the concept of ‘balance of power’ refer to in Realism?
A) The equality of economic resources among states
B) The distribution of power among states to prevent dominance
C) The legal framework governing state interactions
D) The formation of international alliances
Answer: B) The distribution of power among states to prevent dominance

8. Which theory argues that international relations are primarily determined by the distribution of power in the international system?
A) Liberalism
B) Constructivism
C) Neorealism
D) Feminism
Answer: C) Neorealism

9. In Realist theory, how is the concept of ‘anarchy’ defined?
A) The absence of a central authority above states
B) The presence of international organizations
C) The prevalence of democratic governance
D) The role of multinational corporations
Answer: A) The absence of a central authority above states

10. What is the main focus of ‘offensive realism’?
A) States are satisfied with the status quo
B) States seek to maximize their power at the expense of others
C) International institutions can enforce peace
D) Humanitarian concerns drive state behavior
Answer: B) States seek to maximize their power at the expense of others

11. Which concept refers to the idea that states will only form alliances when it serves their interests?
A) Balance of Threat
B) Balance of Power
C) Security Dilemma
D) Bandwagoning
Answer: A) Balance of Threat

12. According to Realism, what is the role of international organizations?
A) They are central to maintaining global peace and security
B) They play a minor role compared to the actions of states
C) They enforce international law rigorously
D) They create an environment of global cooperation
Answer: B) They play a minor role compared to the actions of states

13. Which of the following is a key assumption of Neorealism?
A) States are rational actors
B) States prioritize global cooperation
C) Human nature drives state behavior
D) Economic interdependence reduces conflict
Answer: A) States are rational actors

14. What does the ‘Security Dilemma’ describe in Realist theory?
A) The tendency of states to disarm and reduce military capabilities
B) The situation where measures taken by a state to increase its security lead other states to respond with similar measures, increasing overall insecurity
C) The establishment of international organizations to manage security
D) The creation of security alliances to prevent aggression
Answer: B) The situation where measures taken by a state to increase its security lead other states to respond with similar measures, increasing overall insecurity

15. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Neorealism?
A) The focus on the international system’s structure
B) The assumption that states are the primary actors
C) The belief that human nature drives international relations
D) The emphasis on the anarchical nature of the international system
Answer: C) The belief that human nature drives international relations

16. What is the ‘Offensive Realism’ perspective on state behavior?
A) States are content with their current power and avoid aggressive actions
B) States are inherently aggressive and seek to dominate others
C) States prioritize economic gain over military expansion
D) States form alliances to promote collective security
Answer: B) States are inherently aggressive and seek to dominate others

17. Which term describes the process where weaker states align with stronger states to balance against a potential threat?
A) Bandwagoning
B) Balancing
C) Buck-passing
D) Bridging
Answer: B) Balancing

18. What is ‘Neoclassical Realism’?
A) A theory that blends Realism with Liberalism
B) An approach that focuses on domestic factors and leadership in addition to the international system’s structure
C) A theory that emphasizes economic factors in international relations
D) A perspective that highlights the role of international law
Answer: B) An approach that focuses on domestic factors and leadership in addition to the international system’s structure

19. According to Realism, what drives the behavior of states in an anarchic international system?
A) International norms and values
B) The pursuit of power and security
C) Economic interests and interdependence
D) Ideological goals and humanitarian concerns
Answer: B) The pursuit of power and security

20. Which of the following concepts is associated with Neorealism’s view on state behavior?
A) Constructivism
B) Power Transition Theory
C) Structural Constraints
D) Economic Structuralism
Answer: C) Structural Constraints

21. In the context of Realism, what does ‘relative power’ mean?
A) The total power of a state compared to its own past power
B) The power of a state in relation to other states
C) The power of a state in relation to international organizations
D) The absolute power of a state in the international system
Answer: B) The power of a state in relation to other states

22. Which approach to Realism argues that states seek to maximize their relative power compared to other states?
A) Offensive Realism
B) Defensive Realism
C) Neoclassical Realism
D) Liberal Realism
Answer: A) Offensive Realism

23. What is the primary critique of Realism from Liberalism?
A) It underestimates the role of power in international relations
B) It ignores the potential for cooperation and international institutions
C) It focuses too much on the importance of international norms
D) It overemphasizes economic factors
Answer: B) It ignores the potential for cooperation and international institutions

24. What role do domestic factors play in Neoclassical Realism?
A) They are irrelevant to state behavior
B) They are the primary determinants of state behavior
C) They influence state behavior by affecting perceptions of power and security
D) They are secondary to international structural factors
Answer: C) They influence state behavior by affecting perceptions of power and security

25. Which theory argues that states are driven by a desire for security rather than dominance?
A) Offensive Realism
B) Defensive Realism
C) Neoclassical Realism
D) Liberal Realism
Answer: B) Defensive Realism

26. According to Realism, what is the role of ethics in international relations?
A) Ethics are central to shaping state behavior
B) Ethics play a minimal role compared to strategic interests
C) Ethics are essential for creating international norms
D) Ethics guide the actions of international organizations
Answer: B) Ethics play a minimal role compared to strategic interests

27. In Neorealism, what is the significance of the concept of ‘distribution of capabilities’?
A) It refers to how power is shared within states
B) It determines the behavior of states based on their relative power
C) It affects the balance of power within international organizations
D) It influences the role of economic factors in international relations
Answer: B) It determines the behavior of states based on their relative power

28. Which concept refers to the idea that states will often cooperate when it benefits their own security and interests?
A) Collective Security
B) Rational Choice
C) Realpolitik
D) Security Dilemma
Answer: C) Realpolitik

29. What does the term ‘bandwagoning’ refer to in Realist theory?
A) States joining forces with a rising power to share in its success
B) States avoiding alliances to remain neutral
C) States forming alliances to counter a major threat
D) States avoiding conflicts by maintaining neutrality
Answer: A) States joining forces with a rising power to share in its success

30. Which of the following statements reflects a Neorealist perspective on conflict?
A) Conflicts are rare due to the presence of international institutions
B) Conflicts arise due to the inherent nature of states seeking to maximize power
C) Conflicts are primarily driven by ideological differences
D) Conflicts are less likely in an interdependent global economy
Answer: B) Conflicts arise due to the inherent nature of states seeking to maximize power

Realism and Neorealism MCQs – International Relations IR

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