UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL, HOWARD COLLEGE

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

SUBJECT: MODULE & CODE: ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (POLS201)

MAIN TEST: 13 May 2023

TIME : 4PM -7PM

DURATION: 4 Hours TOTAL MARKS: 100

INTERNAL EXAMINERS: Mr C B Udeh and Mr M Mkhize

EXTERNAL EXAMINER:

STUDENTS ARE REQUESTED, IN THEIR OWN INTERESTS, TO WRITE

LEGIBLY.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. This paper consists of Two (2) pages only.

2. Questions 1 and 5 are compulsory. Choose and complete either questions 2, 3, or 4
3. Total number of questions to be answered are three (3)
4. For any question, you may choose to either upload a word document or enter your answers
directly on the specified box in the page. Do not upload a word document and at the same
time enter your answers on the specified box in the page for any given question. If you choose
to do both, the lecturer will choose to mark only the answer you have typed in on the provided
space on the webpage.
5. Uploaded word documents must be font size 12, Times New Roman.
6. Clearly Indicate which question you are providing your answers for
7. Do not click on the “submit button” until you are done writing. No excuses will be
entertained for negligence
8. As soon as you are done writing, click submit. No excuses will be acceptable for negligence.

NOTE: In order to avoid receiving a zero percent mark, DO NOT:

1. submit AI (artificial Intelligence) generated sources

2. copy and paste from the internet
3. submit your arguments after the deadline
4. copy and paste from another student.
5. Upload a word document and at the same time type in your answers on the page for a single
given question.
6. Respond to questions without indicating the particular question you are answering
7. Do not choose a different character or font size in contrast to the above instructions
8. You are guaranteed a zero percent mark if you do any of these.
1. What is war? (25 marks)

2. Provide a critical analysis of at least three different theoretical approaches applicable to the main
causes of war. (30 marks)

3. From a: world systems, dependency, liberalist or realist theoretical standpoints; discuss the
relevance of theoretical approaches in analyzing the roles of any TWO (2) or all of the following, in
international affairs:

a. International Monetary Fund (IMF) b. The United Nations Organizations (UNO) c. The State d. Multi-
national Corporations (MNCs) and Transnational Corporations (TNCs). (30 marks)

4. Citing examples, discuss the nature or characteristics of states classified in international political
economy (IPE) as “Hegemonic” or “Core” states. Indicate the reasons behind such classification.

(30 marks)

5. Following the end of World war II, The Britton woods agreement of 1944 pegged international
exchange rates/settlements on the US dollars and gold. The world war II which began on 1st September
1939 formerly came to an end in September 2nd 1945. However, the Britton woods agreement of 1944,
which had not less than 44 countries as signatories, also lead to the establishment of International
Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, with some hegemonic states reported as having access to
higher stakes and control.

Hence, adopting either the Marxist, the world systems, dependency, liberalist or realist theoretical
perspectives; discuss the relevance, disputes, challenges or issues associated with the “US dollars” in
contemporary international political economy (IPE) and Trade. (15 marks).

Your answers, amongst others, must also include:

a. In the first place, what was the need for the 1944 agreement (5 marks)

b. Using examples highlight and discuss which countries that are diplomatically challenging the reign
of the US dollars through the formation of various strategic international trade alliances. And why?
(15 marks)

c. How effective has been the oil embargo in achieving desired political/economic objectives in
international affairs? (cite any country or countries as an example in your argument) (10 marks)

(45 marks in Total for question 5)

Clearly indicate any of the above questions to which you have provided their answers.