Set 2B — The State, Individual Decision-Making & Cognitive Biases

What four conditions must an entity meet to officially qualify as a state?

It must have a territorial base with geographically defined boundaries; a stable population; a population that owes allegiance to an effective government; and diplomatic recognition by other states.

Are the four criteria for statehood absolute?

No. The criteria are often subject to various interpretations.

What are examples of state-level factors that can influence international politics?

Political system, national identity, regime type, and economic model.

In the lecture example about reactions to China's military exercises following Pelosi's 2022 Taiwan visit, what factors influenced countries' reactions?

Economic ties with China, level of democracy, level of economic development, geographic proximity, and diplomatic recognition.

What are the three individual-level factors listed in the slides?

Personality and personal interests, information processing, and situational factors.

What is cognitive consistency?

The tendency to accept information that is compatible with what has previously been accepted, often ignoring inconsistent information.

What is an evoked set?

Details from a present situation that are similar to information gleaned from past situations.

What is a mirror image in international relations?

Seeing in one's opponent the opposite of characteristics seen in oneself: viewing the opponent as hostile and uncompromising while viewing oneself as friendly and compromising.

What is groupthink?

The tendency of individuals to strive for cohesion and sometimes unanimity, at the risk of not examining alternative policies.

How can groupthink affect foreign policy decisions?

The desire for group agreement can lead decision-makers to avoid examining alternative policies.

How do the three levels of analysis differ?

The international system level examines systemic characteristics such as power distribution; the state level examines domestic factors and internal characteristics; the individual level examines individuals' perceptions, choices, and activities.

How can the same international event be analyzed at different levels?

System-level analysis examines the distribution of power; state-level analysis examines domestic characteristics such as regime type or economic ties; individual-level analysis examines leaders' personalities, information processing, and situational factors.