Which Grand Strategy Are You?
A quick quiz on IR grand strategy preferences
Question 1
How involved should a major power be in world affairs?
A. Only when absolutely necessary — most things abroad aren’t our business.
B. Engage selectively, and only where the stakes are clearly vital for us.
C. Stay deeply involved to maintain a stable, liberal international order.
D. Be visibly engaged and strong everywhere that matters so no rival doubts our resolve.
Question 2
A conflict breaks out in a faraway region. What’s your first reaction?
A. “Not our problem.”
B. “Is the region vital to us? If yes, we should help.”
C. “We need to intervene to prevent instability from spreading and harming the liberal order.”
D. “We should respond forcefully to show resolve and deter challengers.”
Question 3
What’s the ideal size of the military?
A. Much smaller — too much spending abroad distracts from domestic priorities.
B. Medium-large — enough to secure key regions and limited commitments.
C. Large — global leadership and sustaining alliances require serious capacity.
D. Overwhelming superiority — we should clearly outgun any potential rival and be ready to use it.
Question 4
What’s your philosophy on alliances?
A. Avoid them; they drag you into fights.
B. Keep alliances only in strategically crucial regions.
C. Alliances everywhere — they strengthen global order and support democracy.
D. Use alliances to project strength and lock in our leadership so no one doubts our commitment.
Question 5
A rising power is challenging the existing order. What should be done?
A. Nothing unless it threatens us directly.
B. Use diplomacy + regional allies to balance it where our interests are most affected.
C. Contain it actively through military presence, alliances, and economic pressure to defend the liberal order.
D. Confront it decisively to signal that challenges to our dominance and credibility will fail.
Question 6
Your preferred foreign-policy motto:
A. “Mind our own business.”
B. “Engage where it matters, not everywhere.”
C. “Lead the liberal world.”
D. “Never show weakness.”
Question 7
What’s your biggest fear?
A. Being dragged into endless foreign wars.
B. Losing influence in key regions that truly matter.
C. Global disorder, human rights abuses, and unchecked aggression.
D. Looking weak or irresolute, inviting challenges and tests of our credibility.
Question 8
How do you see IGOs, international institutions, and norms?
A. They mostly don’t matter; power and interests drive outcomes (restraint).
B. They matter as tools that constrain and reward — sticks and carrots we can use when it suits our interests.
C. They matter because they socialize states, support cooperation, and help spread democratic norms.
D. They matter as arenas to pressure and discipline rivals, forcing them to adapt to our preferred order.
Question 9
Should we defend Taiwan?
A. No — Taiwan is not vital to us; we should avoid war over it.
B. Only if our concrete interests (like key regional stability or trade) are clearly threatened.
C. Yes — we should defend Taiwan because it is a democracy and part of a liberal order we support.
D. Yes — we must defend Taiwan so the world sees we will not back down or abandon commitments.
See My Result
Your Grand Strategy Profile
Each axis shows how many of your answers aligned with that strategy.