University Of Texas. GOV 312L /GOV 312L Midterm Exam 3 Review. Latest 2020/21. GRADED A. Review Sheet, Third Midterm Exam, GOV 312L: U.S. Foreign Policy
T... [Show More] uesday, April 5:
Module 18: Great Power Politics II: Unipolarity and US-China Relations
1. What is hegemonic stability theory and how does it relate to the provision of
public goods and the free rider problem in international relations?
• having one global hegemony = globalization (international trade), peace
• since 1945—US as international hegemon
• equal power (demonstrated in interwar period: Germany, SU, US had equal power) =
competition, war, and restrictions on trade
• hegemonic stability theory necessary to provide public goods
• free rider problem: public goods are non excludable & undersupplied
• domestically we solve free rider problem through coercive power of state;
internationally, has to be hegemonic leadership
2. What is the central claim of hegemonic stability theory as it pertains to the
economic system?
• concentration of economic power in one state increases likelihood that international
economic system will be open—more international trade & economic growth for all
Explain and provide examples of how concentration of economic power in a
dominant state (the U.S.) has promoted a prosperous international economy.
• dominant state provides public goods necessary for international economy to flourish
• market for distressed goods: maintain imports when no one else will
• currency for international trade: $, provided by US since WWII
• access to credit: US Federal Reserve provided in 2008 crisis
• protect shipping: powerful navies to protect against pirates and to prevent
other powers form taking over shipping lanes; naval power important
prerequisite
3. What is the security variant of hegemonic stability theory?
• policing status quo: US regularly attempts revision with military force after 1945
• a hegemon can encourage other countries to oppose emerging threats to international
security environment
Explain and provide examples of how concentration of military power in a
dominant state (the U.S.) has promoted a stable and peaceful international political
system.
• example: post WWII US led enforcement of post-war settlement on Germany, also
played central role in containing soviet influence in Europe; current American efforts
to contain & destroy ISSI & support new Iraqui regime fostered construction of
international coalition that would share costs of defeating ISIS
How is the hegemonic stability theory related to the idea of the U.S. as the
indispensable nation?
• theoretical foundations for US as indispensable nation
• if US doesn't fight ISIS, provide disaster relief, cut emissions to reduce greenhouse
gasses, no one will
What happens, according to this theory, when the U.S. declines in power?
• when US declines these goods undersupplied
4. What is power transition theory?
• structure of international politics set by rise & fall of leading powers
What type of international system does this theory expect when global powers are
ascendant versus when global powers are in decline?
• peace & growth during ascendancy—unipolar
• instability & conflict during decline
What is the commitment problem in this situation and how does it help to explain
the incentives for declining powers to launch a preventive war against rising
powers?
• declining state launches preventative war because rising state cannot commit to
preserve status quo system & benefits
5. How is the power transition theory related to U.S.-China relations?
• Us could be declining while China is rising
• with economic growth comes military power
Describe and explain contemporary China’s economic revolution.
• sustained period of economic growth starting in 1978
• started because of policies that tended to follow American-style capitalism—
competition among local economies fosters economic growth
What were the main aspects of China’s free market reforms and what were their
economic effects?
• policies in line with american-style capitalism
• devolution of economic authority from Beijing to special economic zones
• common market (no internal tariffs, reduced regulations to foreign investors)
• competition for investment reduces govt intervention
• enhances govt & public goods efficiency: lower taxes, cheap land, cheap rent,
and improvement infrastructure
• shifting bases of political legitimacy; from achieving economic equality/progress/
socialist utopia to economic growth and nationalism
What type of political changes emerged from these reforms and the substantial
economic growth rates that were produced?
• communist only in name: authoritarian regime run by communist party overseeing
capitalist economy
• more freedom in economic activity, still limits on political expression
6. Describe China’s grand strategy.
• economic reform has used in more conciliatory grand strategy since 1979
• driven by domestic imperative to create jobs to preserve communist regime & social
stability
• more wealth—> income inequality increase
• since 1979, grand strategy dictated by need to maintain domestic political stability in
unprecedented economic & social change
• legitimacy of communist party no longer lies in ideology but rather in economic
growth
• alter foreign policy, settle, and going to reassure world that Chinese growth will not
be de-stablizing
• status quo oriented in respect to existing international order
• joining international organizations, regional organizations & cooperating with
US
• settling 17 of 23 territorial disputes since 1949 (except Taiwan); generally
offers more territorial concessions
• more tension in maritime disputes
What are the domestic foundations of China’s grand strategy?
• income inequality (from one of most equal to least)
• concerns to preserve economic development push gov to settle outstanding disputes
and join international orgs to reassure world that growth will not be destabilizing
• maintain peace & open access to global consumer markets (like US) to not derail
domestic development
• foreign policy not directed at territorial expansion but internal peace maintenance [Show Less]
