Theory in Kuwait (The "Why")
If Kuwait builds a school in a developing nation to create friendship and stability, is this Realism or Liberalism?
Liberalism (Interdependence and Cooperation).
Which international organization named Kuwait a "Humanitarian Center" (مركز إنساني)?
The United Nations (UN)
The BBS mission mentions fostering "ethical values." How does this relate to Kuwait’s aid to refugees in Syria or Sudan?
It reflects the value of Compassion (التعاطف) and global responsibility.
Kuwait’s 1990 history taught the nation that in order to remain it must not only depend on international law but also on itself. Which IR theory focuses on this and what aspects of this theory are involved?
Realism; Survival; Self-Help
Name the Kuwaiti organization that provides long-term loans for development projects in over 100 countries.
Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED).
Being an "Effective Leader" in Kuwait means understanding the "Rapidly Changing World." What is one global challenge Kuwait is currently adapting to?
Climate Change or Energy Transition (Vision 2035).
True or False (justify): Kuwait’s "Neutrality" (الحياد) is a tool used to keep dialogue open with all neighbors, even those who disagree.
True (It is a core principle of Kuwaiti diplomacy).
How does "Humanitarian Diplomacy" serve Kuwait's National Interest (المصلحة الوطنية)?
It builds "Soft Power" and a global reputation that makes other countries more likely to defend Kuwait’s sovereignty.
How can a BBS student practice "Tact and Diplomacy" in their daily life at school?
Through Conflict Management and respectful debate, mirroring Kuwait's regional mediation.
Realism argues that the "Dual Moral Standard" allows leaders to ignore individual ethics to ensure the state's survival. How might a Kuwaiti diplomat argue that "Humanitarian Diplomacy" is actually a form of Raison d’état (Reason of State)?
They would argue that helping others is not just "being nice," but a strategic necessity. By being a "Humanitarian Center," Kuwait ensures that the international community has a vested interest in its continued survival and sovereignty, which is the ultimate goal of the state.
In IR theory, "Soft Power" (القوة الناعمة) is the ability to get what you want through attraction rather than coercion (military force). Provide a translation for "Coercion" and explain how Kuwait’s mediation in a GCC crisis is an example of Soft Power.
By acting as a neutral broker (Mediation), Kuwait gains "Moral Authority." Other nations respect Kuwait’s leadership, giving Kuwait influence in regional decisions without needing a large army to "coerce" its neighbors.
The BBS Mission aims to bridge "global progress with traditional values." If a global IR trend (like absolute Liberal interventionism) conflicts with Kuwaiti traditional values of sovereignty, how should a "Global Citizen" at BBS resolve this?
A BBS student should use Innovative Leadership to find a middle ground—respecting international human rights while upholding the Realist principle of Statism (non-interference in a country’s internal affairs).
E.H. Carr and Hans Morgenthau (Realists) critiqued "Utopianism." If Kuwait relies too heavily on international law (Liberalism) without maintaining its own alliances (Realism), which Realist concept describes the danger they might face in an Anarchic system?
The Security Dilemma. Relying on a "Liberal" treaty in an "Anarchic" system is risky because there is no central authority to enforce it; if a neighbor decides to follow "Self-help" instead, the state’s survival is threatened.
Analyze the "Three S’s" of Realism (Statism, Survival, Self-help) in the context of the 1990 Invasion. How did the failure of "Regional Self-help" lead Kuwait to adopt a more "Liberal Multilateral" approach today?
In 1990, "Self-help" was not enough to ensure Survival. Kuwait learned that for a small state, Statism (sovereignty) is best protected through "Collective Security" (alliances and the UN), which is a Liberal strategy used to achieve a Realist goal (Survival).
"Effective Participation" is a key BBS goal. How does understanding the difference between Relative Gains (Realism: I win, you lose) and Absolute Gains (Liberalism: We both win) help a Kuwaiti student lead "Sustainable Change" in the world?
To lead sustainable change, a student must move beyond "Relative Gains" (which leads to conflict) and look for "Absolute Gains" (cooperation), ensuring that Kuwait develops alongside its neighbors rather than at their expense.