1. Explain the different paradigms for studying IR, focusing mainly on Idealism & Realism.  In what category does Pyle fit?
2. Stereotypical (post WWII) Americans & Europeans attitudes are represented by the two main characters in the Quiet American. Europeans are portrayed as staying out of conflicts whereas American rush in to situations which then get out of hand. Give examples from the movie or from history that illustrates these stereotypes.  
3. How has American foreign policy changed over the years?  Compare American attitudes after WWII to those prior to the war (as illustrated in Casablanca & the Quite American).
4. Kiesling writes that "We have over the past two years done too much to assert to our world partners that narrow and mercenary U.S. interests override the cherished values of our partners. Even where our aims were not in question, our consistency is at issue. The model of Afghanistan is little comfort to allies wondering on what basis we plan to rebuild the Middle East, and in whose image and interests. Have we indeed become blind, as Russia is blind in Chechnya, as Israel is blind in the Occupied Territories, to our own advice, that overwhelming military power is not the answer to terrorism?" and "Laws, treaties, organizations, and shared values sets limits on our foes far more effectively than it ever constrained America’s ability to defend its interests." What does Kiesling mean?
5. Perle argues that : " As we sift the debris, it will be important to preserve, the better to understand, the intellectual wreckage of the liberal conceit of safety through international law administered by international institutions." What does Perle mean?
6. Perle is one of the "Neocons" of the Bush administration, along with Wolfowitz, Cheney and Rumsfeld. Which ideology does their perspective resemble?

Chapter 2

1. Explain how the world is a system. 
2. Explain the importance of the Treaty of Westphalia (1648) and describe the Balance of Power and Cold War systems.
3. Explain how the forces of "McWorld" and tribalism are are weakening the power of states.
4. Was the Marshall Plan an example of idealism or rational self-interest?

1. Explain the three "levels of analysis" of foreign policy-making discussed in the text: Individual, State and System. 
2. What are the problems with assuming rationality?
3. According to McNamara, why is empathy important in negotiations? 
4. The Fog of War film points out that Castro was willing to accept anhilitaion. Is MAD rational?
5. Kissinger is an advocate of Realpolitik.  How does US policy in the cases of Cambodia, East Timor and Chile during the cold war reflect that policy?
6. Do morals apply to statesmen?  What are the benefits and drawbacks of "dealing with the devil" in order to achieve short-term gains?
7. According to Palast, which US president originated the plan to block Allende from taking power? Why did President Nixon support the Coup against Allende?
8. Discuss President Clinton's policy towards Russia during the Yeltsin years (from the "Return of the Czar" video).Why did the Clinton administration overlook corruption and other problems under Yeltsin?

Chapter 4: Nationalism;  Video clips: Zion's Christian Soldiers (60 Minutes) 

1. Explain the rise of modern nationalism. 
2. Discuss why nationalism is said to be both a cohesive and a divisive force.
3. Is national interest an objective or subjective term?  What was the US' national interest (if any) in attacking Iraq preemptively?
4. What are the problems of ethnic self-determination?  Should the Iraqi Kurds, Kosovo Albanians, & Chechens be granted their own countries? 

Ch. 5: Globalization and Transnational forces ; Bush, Religion & Foreign Policy (Frontline clip); 60 Minutes: Zion's Christian Soldiers

1. Discuss Huntington's 'clash of civilizations.' What is the problem with explaining foreign policy in terms of religion and race?
2. How does the 60 Minutes clip illustrate the role on transnational (non-state) actors on foreign policy-making?  How does that clip as well as the Frontline Clip (Bush & Religion & Foreign policy) illustrate the role of religion in US policy?  
3. Examine both the positive and negative roles of religion in world politics.  
4. Based on our earlier discussion of political ideologies, explain how Marxism and Liberalism are transnational approaches to world politics.

1. Based on Michael Keulker's talk on Human Rights, how do Caribbean nations react to the term "our backyard?"
2. What two countries share the island of Hispanola?
3. What are the issues that are debated around joining the ICC?  Should the US join?
4. Distinguish between proscriptive and prescriptive human rights.  Which type does the US emphasize? Is access to food and health care a human right? 

Chapter 7 (read most of it, but just skim the EU section-- we'll discuss that later)

1. Compare functionalism with Neofunctionalism.  How does the Universal Postal Union reflect the idea of functionalism?  
2. List the 6 reasons for growth of IGOs.
3. Discuss the role of the UN Security Council, the General Assembly and the General Secretary. Is the UN democratic? How would you reform the UN? 
4. Is the US a "Santa" or a "Scrooge" when it comes to the UN?  Explain the arguments for both perspectives.

1. Kiesling writes that "Laws, treaties, organizations, and shared values sets limits on our foes far more effectively than it ever constrained America’s ability to defend its interests." What does he  mean?
2. What does Perle mean when he argues that: "What will die is the fantasy of the UN as the foundation of a new world order. As we sift the debris, it will be important to preserve, the better to understand, the intellectual wreckage of the liberal conceit of safety through international law administered by international institutions."
3. Laws have processes for law-making, enforcement and adjudication.  Is international law really "law?"
4. Who enforces international law? Is it applied consistently? Explain.
5. Discuss the Doe v Unocal case.  What are the benefits and drawbacks of using national laws to enforce human rights?
6. Should US corporations abide by human rights and environmental standards?
7. What is the "just war" theory?  Was the US invasion of Iraq a just war (just cause and just conduct)?
8. Common article 3 of the Geneva Convention bans "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment." Does the US treatment of prisoners in the war on terror violate that ban?
   

Chapter 8: Power and Diplomacy 

1. How do you measure power?  Understand how the national core relates to power.
2. What was the debate between Powell and Wolfowitz at Camp David in September 2001 (from DC 9/11)?  How did the debate illustrate different views on the utility of using the military to achieve political goals? 
3. Has the use of "hard power" in Iraq damaged America's "soft power?"  Look at Figure 8.1 on p.235
4. How does "situational power" reflect the ease of defeating the Iraqi military but problems fighting unconventional attacks? 
5. King Frederick the Great stated that "Diplomacy without arms is like music without instruments."   What did he mean? Give examples (from pp248-249) of the application of power in diplomacy.

End of Quiz 2 material

Chapter 10  (NOTE: we'll discuss terrorism later) & clips (chs 13, 18-23; 27) from The Fog of War 

1. McNamara argues that belief and seeing are often wrong. Discuss how misunderstandings led to the Vietnam war.
2. Compare Johnson's Dominos theory with G.W. Bush's justification for invading Iraq.
3. Are there rules of war or only victor's justice?
4. What is the "fog of war?"  What are the problems with using cost-benefit analysis to justify war?  Do we accurately predict all that will happen once a war starts?
5. What are the dangers (discussed in the text) of overemphasis on the military (look at military overstretch & the "spiral of insecurity."   How does this NOW clip on Why We Fight illustrate US overemphasis on military power.  Do you agree that we overuse our military?
6. Look at the conditions on page 311 that a country should use to improve chances of success in a military campaign.  Did the US fail to meet any of them?  Could that explain why the Iraq war has not been a success?

END OF MIDTERM material

Below is still under construction

Chapter 10 & clips (chs 13, 18-23; 27) from The Fog of War; Frontline: Rumsfeld's War

1. Compare Johnson's Dominos theory with G.W. Bush's justification for invading Iraq.
2. How does Bush's approach to Iraq and the "axis of evil" fit with the Bush Doctrine?
3. McNamara argues that belief and seeing are often wrong. Discuss how misunderstandings led to the Vietnam and Iraq wars.
4. Discuss Clausewitz's position on war. Contrast it with Idealists' views on war. What did Sherman mean when he said that "war is cruel; war is cruelty?."
5. 
   
6. Compare the Powell and Rumsfeld doctrines (in the text). 
7. Look at table 4.9. Compare how Kennedy and Bush handled their respective crises, especially regarding "incentives" offered by Kennedy and Bush for their counterparts to back down.

1. What are the characteristics of Acquinas' Just War? In your opinion, would the War on Iraq qualify?

Ch. 6, Arms Control: Missile Wars (segments 5 & 6), Michael Moore (pp95-98; 111-112); Woodward clip (1-12 minutes & 21-24 minutes).

1. What does Michael Moore mean when he says there is no terrorist threat? Do you agree?
2. What arguments have been presented in favor of the claim that “more is better” in regard to nuclear proliferation?
3. Would a proponent of MAD have favored the ABM Treaty? Why or why not? What does this imply about the Bush Administration abrogation of the treaty?
4. If missile defense worked, it would allow the US to attack without repercussions. Is this help or hurt international peace?
5. Is national missile defense a theology or a viable defense?
6. Discuss the parable of the Stag Hunt. How does it relate to the arms race?
7. Why do you think Bush didn't give the inspectors more time? Do you think the invasion of Iraq was about WMD?
8.   

1. President Bush has moved towards a more unilateral foreign policy. Give examples of that shift.
2. Explain Chompsky's view (from Terror...) on endism and McNamara's (from Fog...) arguement that "if we can't persuade nations of comparable values of the merit of our cause, we better reexamine our reasoning." Is the US the "purpose of history?"