PLSC 3 - Exam 1 Materials (Ch. 2 - 4)

Does not include game theory, refer to textbook

Define Science

It is not a collection of facts that tell us what we know about the world, information constantly evolves

Scientific claims must be falsifiable, able to be tested, and able to be proven wrong. Is this true about a scientific claim?

True

Tautology

Something which is true by definition

What are the two types of non-falsifiable statements?

Tautologies and Statements about unobservable phenomena

“God created the world” is an example of…

A statement about unobservable phenomena, this is a non-scientfic statement

“Triangles have 3 sides” is an example of…

A tautology, this is a non-scientific statement

The Scientific Method

It describes the process by which science occurred

Theory

A set of logically consistent statements that tells us why what we observe occurs

Model

A simplification of the world that may or may not be useful, can be both formal or informal

Necessary Condition

Phenomena cannot occur without this condition

Sufficient Condition

Phenomena always occurs when this condition happens

Deterministic Theory

There is only one inevitable outcome; the data is fixed for that outcome. If that outcome does not occur, the theory is false

Probabilistic Theory

There is a range of outcomes, as the data collected is distributed among outcomes

Argument

A set of logically connected statements, typically in the form of premises and conclusions

Premise

Statement that’s presumed to be true within context of an argument

Categorial Syllogism

An argument that consists of a major premise, minor premise, and a conclusion

What is the antecedent?

The first part (P) of an “If P, then Q” statement

What is the consequent?

A statement thought to be supported by both premises.

Minor Premise

A claim either confirming or denying the antecedent or consequent of categorial syllogism

If you affirm the antecedent, what is the outcome?

A valid argument

If you deny the antecedent, what is the outcome?

An invalid argument

If you affirm the consequent, what is the outcome?

An invalid argument

If you deny the consequent, what is the outcome?

A valid argument

Deductive approach

Start with a theory and then conduct observations based off the theory.

Inductive approach

Make observations first, and create the theory based off the observations.

Why is the inductive approach problematic?

It is not falsifiable, and it must rest on the fallacy of affirming the consequent at some point.

Politics

A subset of human behavior that involves the use of power or influence.

What is the outcome of exiting in the EVL game?

Accepting the negative changes and changing ones behavior to adapt.

What does it mean to use voice in the EVL game?

Do not accept the negative changes, and seek to persuade the government to reinstate the original rule.

What is the outcome of remaining loyal in the EVL game?

Accepting the negative change and continuing on with life as normal.

What happens if the government responds in the EVL game?

The negative change will revert back to how it was prior to that change.

What happens if the government ignores a citizen in the EVL game?

The change will be upheld and the citizens voice will be ignored.

Game Theory

Fundamental tool for analyzing strategic situations.

Rational Player

Does what is in their best interest given what they know; they like higher payoffs.

Subgame Perfect Equilibrium

Solution concept in which all actors do the best they can; found using backwards induction.

Backwards Induction

Process of reasoning backwards from the end to the beginning of a game to determine the most optimal course of action.

What is the state?

A state is an entity that uses coercin and the threat of force in a given territory.

What is a nation?

Collection of individuals who share some sort of common identity.

What is a nation-state?

State in which a legal identity perdominantly has control.

Failed State

State-like entity that cannot control inhabitants in a given territory.

Social contract view of the state

Roles and duties of what a state expects out of its citizens, and what a citizen expects out of its state.

The State of Nature

Term used to describe situations in which there is no state.

Method of Best Responses

Picking each players best replies for each possible choice of the other player

Nash Equilibrium

A combination of strategies for each player, where each player does not want to unilaterally change their strategy given the strategy adopted by the other player.

(Any box where both players have a reply)

Dominant Strategy

If a specific strategy is the best reply to all of the other players.

Dominant Strategy Nash Equilibrium

Occurs when both players have a dominant strategy

Solution to the State of Nature

A sovereign; form of centralized authority.

Social Contract

Agreement of individuals in the state to create and empower the state; outlines rights and responsibilities of citizens and states.

Predatory View of the State

The state emerges as an unintentional product of people wanting power; it is not a consensual creation.

What are the roles of institutions in the predatory view of the state?

Institutions are used to help people stay in power, they are only created after the emergence of the state.

Is there a presumption that states will act in the interest of citizens in the Predatory View?

No, there is no presumption that states will act in the interest of its citizens.

Do all states act predatory by default?

No, not all states will act predatory, but they do all have the potential to do so. The state has no forced duty to protect its citizens.

Security Dilemma

Competing forces for security compel each other to provide the best security they can, so citizens do not leave for a competitor.

How do leaders use their security concerns to extract resources (such as tax) from others?

Through bureaucracies or security apparatuses’; they do so to help keep leaders in power.

Neolithic Revolution

The switch from egalitarian societies to more agricultural societies over thousands of years.

Why were agrarian societies more important to state formation?

Food surpluses, denser populations, and competition for power over agricultural entities.

Why was early state formation easy further back in history?

Agricultural production was focused on grains, the population was geographically concentrated, and the population was immobile. Essentially, they were all easier to tax.

Why was there a resistance to living in states?

Due to the high risk of death from disease and high taxation.

What are the two potential reasons for peace in the state of nature?

Various security providers collude with each other for cost-effectiveness, and the cage of norms.

Cage of Norms

People forming a tight-knit society based on frequent interaction, making it easier to detect people who stray away from the set norms and punish them for doing so.

What are the possibilities of state control?

Unconstrained states, Constrained states, and Absent states.

Unconstrained State

When a state is stronger than society.

Absent State

When a society is stronger than the state.

Constrained State

When the state and society are in an even balance of power and influence.

Narrow Corridor

The area in which constrained states exist, it fosters the possiblity of a positive feedback loop.

Positive Feedback Loop

When a state provides its citizens with something, and in return, citizens ask for something they expect. Neither entities push far enough to give the other too much power over the other at their requests.