Student’s Name: Vusal Gahramanov Introduction to

International Relations, 07/06/2020

MIDTERM EXAMIINATION

INSTRUCTION: This exam is OPEN BOOK. The maximum score is 30 points. You have 165 minutes (until 5:30 pm) to
complete this exam. Good luck!

PART I – ONE-SENTENCE ANSWER: Answer ALL of the following 10 questions (1 point each, 10 points total).

1) Considering states’ international behaviour, what does Rousseau’s story of the stag and the hare illustrate?
Answer: Rousseau illustrate states pursue their self-interest in the short term

2) Historically, why did the advent of the railroad begin to upset the balance of power in Europe?
Answer: It has provided continental countries such as Germany an improved degree of strategic versatility
equivalent to that of maritime forces like Britain.

3) Why, following World War II, did the Soviet Union use its newfound superpower status to solidify control over
Eastern European states like Poland and Czechoslovakia?
Answer: It expected another Western assault, and found security from a buffer zone of friendly nations.

4) Why is 1648, marked by the creation of the Treaties of Westphalia, a seminal year for scholars of international
relations?
Answer: This reflected a decline in religious power in Europe, and the emergence of secular authority in the
form of sovereign states

5) Realists argue that states’ concern with relative gains will undermine international cooperation. What do they
mean by this?
Answer: States would be hesitant to compromise except for shared advantage, because their allies might
prosper further, acquiring more leverage in the future to employ against them.

6) Iraq’s forced retreat and surrender to the U.S.-led coalition after Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait (in 1990) is an illustration of
what realist argument?
Answer: This is an example of the claim of protective realists that little wars favor the States that start them.

7) What was different between the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq that made a comparison between the two NOT a perfect application
of history?
Answer: For example, in 1975, when the last helicopter evacuated the last Americans from the US embassy roof in Saigon, the
prospects for Vietnam looked much more ominous than they do now.
8) What do constructivists mean by saying that identities are socially constructed?
Answer: Identities are influenced by individual and state actions and discourses.

9) According to radicals such as John A. Hobson, why capitalism necessarily leads to imperial expansion?
Answer: Because of the underconsumption by the lower classes brought on by their low incomes, industrialized
nations are finding new markets.

10) According to hegemonic stability theory, when is stability in the international system most likely?
Answer: If the hegemon lacks resource resources or is no longer able to exert its superior power superiority, instead
the equilibrium of the regime is placed at risk.
PART II – LONG ANSWER: Answer BOTH of the following two questions in ca. 250 words each (10 points each, 20
points total).

1) “As IR theory, realism is not realistic today.” Construct an argument that either defends OR criticizes this statement.

Answer: The first premise of realism is that the nation-state is the primary player of foreign affairs (usually
abbreviated to 'state'). There are certain entities including individuals and organizations but their power is
minimal. Third, a unitary agent is the Government. National interests lead the State to speak and act with one
voice, especially in times of war. Second, decision-makers are moral players in the context that reasonable
decision-making contributes to public interest being followed. It would be unfair to take acts here that would
make the state poor or helpless. Realism suggests that all leaders recognize this regardless of their political
persuasion as they try to manage the affairs of their state to survive in a competitive environment. Lastly, states
exist in a sense of chaos – that is, in the absence of anyone being globally accountable. The often-used argument
that in an foreign disaster there is 'no one to call' helps underline this idea. We usually have security departments,
armed services, courts and so forth within our own nations. In an incident, certain organizations are supposed to
'do something' in reaction. Internationally, there is no reasonable assumption that someone should 'do anything'
or something, because there is no existing hierarchy. But states will essentially depend entirely on themselves.

As realism also relies from experiences from the past, much focus is put on the notion that people are ultimately
kept captive to repeated behavioral behaviors dictated by their existence. The belief that human beings are
egoistic and crave dominance is fundamental to the presumption. Realists believe our selfishness, our appetite for
power and our lack of confidence in others lead to predictable results. This may be why fighting has become so
frequent in modern history.

2) Using your understanding of the key ingredients of state power potential (natural, tangible, and intangible), present an argument for
OR against the following statement: “Azerbaijan is a powerful state.” In your view, how convincing is your argument and why?

Answer:
I want to begin with the presidency years of Heydar Aliyev. Once Heydar Aliyev came to power, the nation was in a precarious
condition. The important issue at the moment was to bring an end to the war, create a fresh beginning, rally powers, and rebuild the
state. Heydar Aliyev 's decision was the only right one at the moment. Now, 26 years on, we see that Azerbaijan, following the
invasion by Armenian troops of 20 percent of the region.
The situation is shifting today. More and more people across the globe were starting to realize the truths that occur. U.N. Security
Council recognizes Azerbaijan. Demands for complete recovery of the rights of Azerbaijan are presented on the most credible foreign
forums. Plus, Azerbaijan is improving the economy and the armed forces-both of these considerations will compile the Armenian
leadership to rethink the previous destructive path.
I would also want to note that only COVID-19 will not preclude Azerbaijan from thinking optimistically to the future. Given the invasion
of Nagorno-Karabakh and the socio-economic pressure of its refugee and internally displaced community generated as a
consequence of the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azerbaijan has managed to become an independent state. Hence, her
dependence on hydrocarbons served as a simple refuge to resolve numerous of her problems. Taking everything into consideration,
based on my researches, I can exactly prove that Azerbaijan is Powerful state.