International Relations and Theories of War

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts from international relations theories and the context of war, providing definitions and explanations for each term to enhance understanding and prepare for exams.

Paradigm

A worldview underlying the theory of a particular subject.

Theory

A logically consistent set of statements that explains a phenomenon of interest.

Realism

A theory in international relations that emphasizes security and power as the primary objectives of state behavior.

Liberalism

A theory that emphasizes the importance of individuals, firms, NGOs, and states in international relations, focusing on wealth and cooperation.

Constructivism

A theory that suggests interests are not innate and are instead socially constructed, with state behavior influenced by context and norms.

International

Referring to relationships or activities involving multiple countries.

Domestic

Referring to activities or issues within a single country.

Transnational

Referring to processes or activities that cross national borders.

Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)

Organizations that operate independently from government influence and have an impact on international affairs.

Decimalization

A method of reducing denominations in international systems, often for simplified relations.

Thucydides

An ancient Greek historian known for his work on the Peloponnesian War, often cited in realism.

Machiavelli

An Italian Renaissance political philosopher known for his views on power and statecraft.

Hobbes

A philosopher who proposed that humans in their natural state are in constant conflict, requiring a strong authority.

Security Council

The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

UN Resolution 687

A Security Council resolution that required Iraq to disarm after its invasion of Kuwait.

Bargaining

The process through which two or more parties negotiate the terms of a deal or agreement.

Coercion

The practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threats.

Pareto efficiency

A situation where resources cannot be reallocated to make one individual better off without making another worse off.

Rational choice paradigm

A theoretical framework where actors are assumed to make decisions by maximizing their interests.

Institution

A conceptual framework used to analyze and structure interactions in politics.

Outcomes

The results or effects of decisions made within the bargaining or international relations context.

Weakness of cooperation

Circumstances where collaboration fails due to lack of trust or conflicting interests.

Tragedy of the commons

A situation in which individuals acting in their own self-interest deplete shared resources.

Political institutions

Organizations and systems that govern political decision-making and provide structure to political relationships.

Private goods

Goods that are both excludable and rivalrous, such as food and clothing.

Pressures to conform

The social influences that compel individuals or organizations to align with group norms.

Reversion outcome

The outcome that occurs when no bargain is reached, often representing the status quo.

Coercive diplomacy

The use of threats to influence the policy of another state.

Aggression

Hostile or violent behavior, often in violation of established rules or norms.

Compellence

An effort to change the status quo through the threat of force.

Political accountability

The responsibility of political leaders to report on their actions and decisions and face consequences.

Bleeding hearts

Individuals or advocacy groups who passionately support humanitarian causes.

National interests

The goals and objectives that a state seeks to achieve in international relations.

Self-help system

An international system in which states must rely on their own capabilities for security.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself or another state, free from external interference.

Social construction of reality

The process through which social phenomena are created, institutionalized, and accepted.

Intervention

The act of interfering in the affairs of another state, often for humanitarian or strategic reasons.

Proxy war

A conflict where two opposing countries or parties support combatants in a third country.

Outbidding strategy

A tactic used by terrorist groups to demonstrate capability and resolve over competing factions.

Hostage-taking

An act where individuals are seized to compel a government or organization to act in a certain way.

Innocent bystanders

Civilians who are unintentionally affected during acts of violence or warfare.

Determinants of state behavior

Factors that influence how states act in the international arena.

Historical grievances

Resentments arising from past conflicts or injustices that impact current relations.

Geopolitical interests

Strategic interests that nations have in relation to geography, such as resources and strategic locations.

Domestic politics

Political activity that occurs within a country.

International politics

Political activity and processes that take place across national borders.

Negotiation dynamics

The processes and behaviors that characterize how parties communicate and attempt to reach an agreement.

War as a social construct

The notion that war is not just a physical act but also shaped by societal beliefs and conditions.

Empirical evidence

Information acquired through observation or experimentation that can be used to support or refute a claim.

Decision-making process

The method by which actors choose among various options to determine a course of action.

Collective action

Joint effort undertaken by a group of individuals to achieve a common goal.

Ideological motivations

Reasons for actions based on beliefs or values.

Militarization

The process by which a society organizes itself for military conflict.

Defense contractors

Companies that provide products and services to military and defense institutions.

Security dilemma

A situation in which actions by a state intended to increase its security cause reactions from other states, leading to increased tensions.

Hegemony

Dominance of one group over others, particularly in international relations.

Crisis bargaining

Negotiation where one or both parties perceive a threat of force or actual military engagement.

Transparency in negotiations

The openness of processes, actions, and intentions in diplomatic engagements.

Soft power

The ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce, using appeal and persuasion.

Hard power

The use of coercive tactics, including military force or economic sanctions.

Domestic elites

Powerful groups within a country whose interests can influence political decisions.

Shifting power dynamics

Changes in the balance of power among countries, impacting their international interactions.

Public opinion

The collective preferences and attitudes of citizens concerning political issues.

International law

A body of rules that nations consider binding in their relations with one another.

Great powers

The most powerful countries in the international system, often possessing significant military and economic influence.

Bilateral agreements

Treaties or agreements between two states.

Multilateral agreements

Treaties or agreements involving more than two states.

Neorealism

A theory of international relations that emphasizes the influence of the structure of the international system on state behavior.

Liberal institutionalism

A theory that highlights the role that institutions play in facilitating cooperation among states.

Security alliances

Agreements between countries to support each other in case of threats or wars.

Collective security

A concept which entails multiple countries agreeing to take collective action against aggression.

Interventionism

The policy of government interference in the affairs of another country.

Decolonization

The process of a state gaining independence from colonial powers.

Self-determination

The right of people to determine their own political status and governance.

Civil-military relations

The relationship between civil society and the military organization of the state.

Bureaucratic politics

The approach that understands political behavior as a result of internal bureaucratic negotiations.

Normative power

The capacity of an actor to shape what is considered normal or acceptable in international relations.

Post-colonialism

An analytical framework that examines the lasting impacts of colonial rule on former colonies.

Ethnic conflict

Disputes between groups of different ethnic backgrounds that may lead to violence.

Civil society

Organizations and groups that operate independently from the government and represent the public.

Multilateralism

The process of organizing relations between three or more states in accordance with certain principles.

International peace and security

The maintenance of peace across national boundaries can include conflict resolution and cooperation.

Understanding actor motivations

What ultimately drives states or other international actors, including security, wealth, and ideational factors.

Common forms of interactions

The various ways states and other actors interact in the international system, such as cooperation, coordination, bargaining, and coercion.

The bargaining model

A framework analyzing how actors with conflicting interests seek to reach an agreement through negotiation or the threat of force, considering the reversion outcome.

Levels of analysis

Distinct analytical perspectives—individual, state, and international system—used to explain international phenomena.

Incentives for conflict and tools for resolution

Factors like incomplete information, commitment problems, and issue indivisibility that lead to conflict, and mechanisms like diplomacy, institutions, and third-party mediation for resolution.

How uneven costs and benefits motivate actors

The differential distribution of gains and losses from international interactions, which can create incentives for cooperation or conflict.

Domestic factors’ effect on the international system

The influence of a state's internal political landscape, public opinion, bureaucratic interests, and leaders' preferences on its foreign policy choices and international behavior.

International institutions’ effect on peace and conflict

The role of formal and informal rules and organizations in facilitating cooperation, reducing uncertainty, mediating disputes, and shaping state interactions to promote peace or exacerbate conflict.

How conflict shapes actor incentives

The ways in which the experience or threat of war alters actors' perceptions of costs, benefits, risks, and acceptable outcomes, influencing future decisions on cooperation or conflict.

Audience Costs

Negative repercussions a leader faces domestically for making foreign policy threats and then backing down.

Preventive War

A war initiated to prevent another party from acquiring a capability that could pose a future threat, even if an attack is not imminent.

Preemptive War

A war initiated to prevent an imminent attack, often as a first strike to gain an advantage.

Rally Effect

Increased patriotic support for leaders during times of international crisis.

Diversionary Incentive

The temptation for leaders to initiate international crises to boost public support at home.

Anarchy

The absence of a central government or authority in the international system, implying self-help for states.

Democratic Peace

The theory that democratic states are less likely to engage in war with each other.

Cooperation

An interaction where two or more actors adopt policies that make at least one actor better off without making any other actor worse off.

Entrapment

The risk of being drawn into an unwanted conflict by the actions of an ally.