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an int'l system with two great powers dominating the system. • Cold War, NATO vs. Warsaw Pact • interests/ alliances are relatively perminant and not shifting. • direct wars btw superpowers are LESS likely, just proxi wars. • I.G.O. can't do much |
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multipolarity (balance of power system) |
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a system with several states as great (and of roughly equal) power • causes WW1 and WW2 • complexity leads to cautious state behavior, alliances are for specific reason, short-lived • cross-cutting interests (linguistic, cultural ties) moderates behavior btw alliances |
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one dominant state w/ preponderance of power, thus establishes rules of int'l system • even LESS complex than bipole (thus MORE stable) • no question of power, thus no incentive to attack unipole (promotes int'l peace) • hegemonic decline inevidable, thus war too.
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George Modelski and Will Thompson: basically hegemonic powers cycle at 100 years at a time. 1. Global war (declining hegemon) --> 2. new world power (hegemon), most stable period --> 3. delegitimination in decline (due to cost of hegemony) 4. deconcetration, challenging hegemony arises which leads back to 1. |
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a psychologically uncomfortable state (tension, anxiety, dissonance) that humans experience when confronted with two conflicting pieces of knowledge. We are driven to eliminate that tension thru cognitive restructuring (cognitive cosistency) |
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a decision making process that accept satisfactory outcome, one that minimually meets goals (instead of cont'ing for more optimal solutions) • crisis situations, w/ little time • low-level decision making, choices dont matter as much • contigency plans -- WW2, Germany's Schleiffin Plan
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the use of past historical events to interpret the present situation. pro -- "history repeats itself" con -- always falling back on previous analogies leads to no new thinking, thus irrational. also not always clear in which historical analogy is most useful |
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defense reaction to extreme levels of stress to s/t to painful to accept. a person's thoughts, actions, feelings become seperated from reality. (delerium, withdrawl, hallucinations) • Stalin, after Hitler's invasion during WW2, became pyschologically paralyzed.
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(Irving Janis) a process in which pressure within the a group to maintain unity leads to poor decision making. pg. 9 of "Groupthink"
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a system of gov't... • honest competitive elections with opposition parties (reasonably fair chance of winning) • universal (or nearly) suffrage • widespread opportunities for political participation • free and open mass media • gov't respect for human rights, including minorities
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a private association of people who have simular policy views and who pressure the gov't to adopt those views and policies. foreign policy is shaped by the relative strength of interest groups with policy preferences
• organize letter-writtings • publish material to support cause • direct lobbyinh of congress
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an organization that seeks to gain or to maintain control over a country's political process by supporting canidates for public office. they exercise important influence over state's foreign policy. |
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standard operating procedures (SOP's) |
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Definition
• limited range of viable policy operations available to leaders • affects the implementation of foreign policy decisions
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| military-industrial complex |
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Definition
| a large interlocking network of government agencies, industrial cooperation’s and research institute all working together to supply states military forces. |
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prime minister is elected from the majority party (party with most votes). cabinet is made from that party and its leader. if there is not clear majority, parties can combine to form government.
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the range of views on policy issues held by the population of a state
• clearly more influencial in democractic regimes than authoritarian, but even authoritarian regimes take note of public reaction • there is no "one" public opinion • elites vs mass, elites more opinionated in foreign policy, mass more nationalist.
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an attempt to avoid making a major policy decision. one of the "coping mechanisms" for dealing with our cognitive limitations. • procrastination (avoiding a major decision as long as possible in the hopes that the situation will change and a decision won’t be necessary) • incrementalism (making relatively small or marginal changes to existing policy).
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Term
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Definition
• missing info - info needed to make rational decision • erroneous info • conflicting info • overwhelming mass of info • lack of time to process • lack of knowledge of the consequences • intellectual limits • emotions
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