POLSCI160 Key Terms

Terrorism

Violence by a non-state actor directed at non-military target personnel for political purposes

Commitment Problem

When actors do not believe the other will follow through on the other side of the agreement, believing that they will defect. Does not believe it will be enforceable over time; a lack of confidence.

Institution

Self-enforcing, commonly accepted, resistant to change, rules that influence actors' behavior, rather than specific organizations. Can be both domestic, e.g., the US Constitution, and international, e.g., the UN Charter

International Law

Formal codification of international norms into treaties that define acceptable behavior and consequences for violations.

Sovereignty

The principle that states have authority over their own territory and domestic affairs without external interference

Information Problem

It arises when states are uncertain about the values of different outcomes or others' preferences.

Distribution Problem

Conflict over how the gains from cooperation are divided among actors. It arises when states disagree over which cooperative outcome is best because it benefits them differently.

Protectionism

The practice of protecting domestic industries from foreign competition by levying tariffs and quotas on imports and/or subsidizing domestic production

Public vs. Private Good

Public goods are non-excludable and non-rivalrous

Bilateralism

Cooperation or interaction between two states, often involving reciprocal actions such as negotiation or enforcement.

International Norms

Shared principles about which actions are appropriate and inappropriate for different social roles.

Separating Action

Taken by an actor that reveals their type by being an action that another type would not take (Costly Actions). Separates the resolute from the irresolute.

Pooling Action

Actions that would conceivably be taken by each type.

International Norms

Shared principles about which actions are appropriate and inappropriate for different social roles.

Legitimacy

The degree to which institutions are accepted as binding, correct, and proper by actors.