The philosopher Rene Descartes was:

Deductive arguments differ from inductive arguments in that:

1.)      What is an ethical theory?

Recall Max Weber’s definition of the state and explain how it relates to the state’s primary goals of prosperity, stability, and security.  Using this definition, analyze why each of the following forms of political violence—revolution, sectarian civil war, and political self-immolation—challenges the state’s ability to fulfill these goals Provide specific examples for at least two of these forms of political violence to support your explanation.

Recall Max Weber’s definition of the state and explain how it relates to the state’s primary goals of prosperity, stability, and security.  Using this definition, analyze why each of the following forms of political violence—revolution, sectarian civil war, and political self-immolation—challenges the state’s ability to fulfill these goals Provide specific examples for at least two of these forms of political violence to support your explanation.

What did Jean Jacques Rousseau identify as the “origin” of inequality amongst individuals in his Second Discourse (Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality Among Men)? How does Rousseau’s concept of the “general will” (from his work The Social Contract) seek to address or resolve the inequalities that arise in society?  How could one use Rousseau’s ideas from his Second Discourse to analyze specific challenges faced by countries that have adopted neoliberal economic policies? Provide specific examples to support your response.

In the field of international relations, scholars often analyze global events through three broad theoretical lenses: realism, liberalism, and constructivism. Define each of the following lenses: realism, liberalism and constructivism. Using the example of the International Criminal Court (ICC), choose one of the three lenses (realism, liberalism, or constructivism) and explain how that lens would analyze the International Criminal Court’s (ICC’s)  role and ability to arbitrate justice in the international system. Be sure to provide specific reasoning to support your answer.

Power politics involves the use of various tools to influence the behavior of other states. “Soft power” and “exchange power” are variations of power politics.  Explain how “soft power” and “exchange power” can still be considered forms of power politics. Using sanctions as an example, discuss if “soft power” and “exchange power” always avoid violence or if there is a gray area. Provide specific examples to illustrate your argument.

Please choose ONE of the essay prompts to answer below:   You are a part of a small discussion group on campus that is discussing states, sovereignty, and human rights. One member poses this question: “It is increasingly the case that state sovereignty is violated – is this a positive or negative trend? And why do some states intentionally violate the sovereignty of other states?” How would you answer? Think about “development” and the process of categorizing countries as less developed, partly developed, or more developed. How would you describe what development is as a concept? Second, how would you explain the categorization process? Third, how would you categorize the country that you were assigned for the final group presentation (either Brazil, Russia, China, or India)? Finally, what is one of the biggest challenges that countries in this same category (as either Brazil, Russia, China or India) face in achieving or maintaining development?        

In How Europe Underdeveloped Africa, Walter Rodney critiques the supposed benefits of colonialism, such as infrastructure development and economic modernization, and contrasts these with the realities of exploitation and underdevelopment. Summarize Rodney’s argument about the supposed benefits versus the actual consequences of colonialism in Africa, providing at least one specific example. Connect this argument to our class discussion on neocolonialism. How do the dynamics described by Rodney continue to shape Africa’s relationship with the global economic system today? Provide a contemporary example to illustrate your point.