Nuclear Weapons and International Relations Overview

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

Condition where neither side attacks due to deterrence.

Deterrence

Using a threat to dissuade a party from taking an action they otherwise might not take

Security Dilemma

Situation where one state's security actions threaten others.

Participant Observer

Researcher engaging in the environment being studied.

Regulative Effects

Norms that regulate state behavior regarding nuclear weapons.

Constitutive Effects

Norms that shape the identity of states.

Permissive Effects

Norms that allow certain actions under specific conditions.

Democratic Peace

Observation of few wars between mature democracies.

Cost-Bearing Masses

Citizens bear the consequences of war decisions.

Norms of Negotiation

Standards promoting dialogue over conflict resolution.

Second-Strike Force

Capability to retaliate after a nuclear attack.

External Balancing

Forming alliances for mutual security.

Military Cooperation

Alliances form from compatible military interests.

Balance of Power

Military capabilities of states are roughly equal.

Bilateral Alliance

Cooperation between two states.

Asymmetrical Alliance

Powerful state defends a weaker state.

Offensive Alliance

States cooperate to attack a common enemy.

Defensive Alliance

States commit to defend each other.

Costs of Alliances

Commitment of resources and limitations on freedom.

Entanglement Risk

An ally may involve a protector in conflict.

Collective Security

Pledge to aid any state under aggression.

Public Good

Collective security benefits all member states.

United Nations Purpose

Aims to prevent future wars.

NATO

Berlin Brigade

7,000 troops as a military tripwire.

Article 10

Membership increased from 12 to 32 states.

Article 5

Establishes principle of collective defense.

Collective action problems

Challenges in sharing costs among members.

Role of Ukraine

Ukraine's involvement in NATO dynamics.

Democratic peace

Few wars occur between mature democracies.

Rally effect

Public support surge during international conflict.

Diversionary incentive

Using war to distract from domestic issues.

Special interest groups

Influential actors promoting specific domestic agendas.

Bureaucratic politics

Internal government dynamics influencing war decisions.

Military influence

Military's role in shaping war policies.

Costs of war

Societal burdens versus benefits to specific groups.

Political parties

Groups influencing war based on ideologies.

Economic interest groups

Businesses advocating for war for profit.

Ideological interest groups

Groups supporting or opposing foreign policies.

Bureaucratic interests

Government agencies' motivations affecting war decisions.

Military budget

Funding influencing military support for conflicts.

Career opportunities

Military personnel's interests in war for advancement.

Experience in war

Military opposition based on past conflict costs.

Transparency in negotiation

Democracies promote open discussions to resolve conflicts.

Cohn's reading

Explores defense intellectuals' rationalizations for war.

Tannenwald's reading

Discusses the concept of the nuclear taboo.

Bargaining Model of War

Framework explaining why states choose war over negotiation.

Purpose of War

Organized military force used by parties to resolve disputes.

Interstate War

Conflict primarily between different states.

Civil War

Conflict within a single state, often between government and rebels.

Anarchy

Absence of a central authority in international relations.

Misperception

Incorrect understanding of another state's intentions or capabilities.

Domestic Politics

Internal political factors influencing a state's decision to go to war.

Crisis Bargaining

Interaction where threats of force are used to resolve disputes.

Coercive Diplomacy

Using threats to influence another state's bargaining outcome.

Incomplete Information

Lack of knowledge about other states' interests or capabilities.

Resolve

Willingness to endure costs for a specific goal.

Credibility

Believability of a threat or promise made by a state.

Brinkmanship

Strategy increasing risk of accidental war to force concessions.

Tying Hands

Making threats that are hard to back down from.

Audience Costs

Negative repercussions for failing to follow through on threats.

Paying for Power

Investing in military capabilities to deter adversaries.

Commitment Problems

Difficulty in making credible promises to avoid future conflict.

Preventive War

Conflict aimed at preventing an adversary's future strength.

Two Bargaining Mistakes

Yielding too little or demanding too much in negotiations.

Incentives to Misrepresent

Motivation to appear weaker or stronger than actual capabilities.

War from Indivisibility

Conflict arising when a disputed good cannot be divided.

Wars from Commitment Problems

Conflicts due to unreliable promises regarding future actions.

Preemption

Fear of attack by opponent's first strike.

Indivisible good

Good that cannot be divided without losing value.

All-or-nothing bargaining

One state must receive nothing or everything.

Fait accompli

Seizing territory before opponent can react.

Tripwire forces

Small deployments to deter future aggression.

Coercion

Forcing others to act against their will.

Deterrence

Threat to dissuade action by another party.

Deterrence by punishment

Threats to punish for non-compliance.

Deterrence by denial

Threats to prevent adversary from achieving goals.

Compellence

Using threats to compel action from another.

Elements of coercion

Interests, communication, credibility, assurance, pain tolerance.

Psych IR

Deterrence as revenge for prior attacks.

Negative reciprocity

Responding to aggression with similar aggression.

Capability

Ability to carry out threats effectively.

Credibility

Believability of threats or promises made.

Communication

Conveying threats or promises clearly.

War from Issue Indivisibility

Conflict arises when goods cannot be divided.

Order of operations

Sequence of actions: land then war.

Gambling in conflict

States risk actions expecting no retaliation.

Strengthening claims

States bolster their position on disputed territories.

Coercion vs. brute force

Coercion requires cooperation, brute force does not.

Trump's foreign policy example

Analyze deterrence or compellence in his actions.

Institutions

Rules structuring interactions within a community.

Collective action problems

Challenges in cooperation among individuals or groups.

Setting standards

Defining rules, violations, and responses.

Verifying compliance

Ensuring adherence to agreements or standards.

UN General Assembly

Main deliberative body of the United Nations.

Dispute resolution bodies

Entities resolving conflicts between parties.

Policy bias

Unequal influence in decision-making processes.

International Law

Rules binding states in global politics.

Customary international law

Law developed from consistent state practices.

Treaties

Formal agreements between states or entities.