Untitled Flashcards Set

Game Theory

A framework for understanding strategic interactions where outcomes depend on the choices of multiple actors.

Deterrence

The use of threats to prevent an adversary from taking an undesired action.

Credibility

A threat or promise must be believable to influence the other player's decision.

Normal Form Game

A representation of a game using a matrix showing payoffs for each strategy combination.

Zero-Sum Game

A situation where one player’s gain is another’s loss.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

A game showing why two rational actors might not cooperate, even if it’s in their best interest.

Extensive Form Game

A game represented as a decision tree, showing the order of moves and possible decisions.

Backwards Induction

Solving an extensive form game by analyzing from the end to the beginning.

Commitment Device

A strategy that locks an actor into a course of action to make threats/promises credible.

Dominant Strategy

A strategy that provides a better outcome regardless of the opponent’s choice.

Nash Equilibrium

A stable strategy combination where no player benefits from changing unilaterally.

Security Dilemma

When one state’s effort to increase security causes insecurity in others.

Uncertainty in Security Dilemmas

Uncertainty about others’ intentions intensifies security dilemmas.

Human Security

A concept that broadens security to include threats to individual well-being (e.g., poverty, disease).

Anarchy in International Relations

The lack of a central authority governing states, leading to self-help behavior.

Power in International Relations

The ability of one actor to influence another’s behavior.

Hegemon

A dominant power that enforces order in the international system.

System Structure in IR

The distribution of power (unipolar, bipolar, multipolar) among states.

9-Dash Line

China's maritime claim in the South China Sea, disputed by several countries.

Significance of the South China Sea

It's a major shipping route and rich in resources, raising tensions.

Monroe Doctrine

A U.S. policy opposing European colonialism in the Americas.

Manifest Destiny

The 19th-century belief that the U.S. was destined to expand across North America.

Russia in International Relations

A case study of foreign policy, power projection, Ukraine invasion, and role in multipolarity.

Cold War and IR Concepts

Illustrates deterrence, bipolarity, proxy wars, and ideological conflict.

Russia/Ukraine in IR Today

Highlights sovereignty, power politics, hybrid warfare, and NATO dynamics.

Former Yugoslavia's Relevance

Shows ethnic conflict, international intervention, and peacekeeping challenges.

Waltz vs. Sagan Nuclear Debate

Waltz supports nuclear proliferation for deterrence; Sagan warns of organizational failures and risk.

Revolution in Warfare

A shift in how wars are fought, often due to technology or strategy changes.

Force Protection

Measures taken to safeguard military personnel, tied to counterinsurgency challenges.

Definitions of Ethnic Conflict

Violent disputes rooted in ethnic divisions, viewed through different lenses (primordial, instrumental, constructivist).

Views on Ethnicity

Primordial (fixed), instrumental (used by elites), constructivist (socially shaped).

Rwanda Genocide (1994)

A genocide where Hutus killed ~800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus, shaped by ethnic identity.

Slobodan Milosevic

Serbian leader charged with war crimes during the Yugoslav Wars.

Ethnic Outbidding

When political actors escalate ethnic rhetoric to win support.

Terrorism

The use of violence to instill fear and achieve political goals.

Transnational Organized Crime

Crime that crosses borders and may involve drug trafficking, arms, or human smuggling.

Counterinsurgency

Military, political, and social efforts to defeat insurgency.

Lone Wolf Terrorism

Terror acts by individuals not formally linked to terrorist groups.

Boko Haram, Al Qaeda, Taliban, and ISIS

Islamist militant groups with varying goals and global impacts.

Osama Bin Laden

Founder of Al Qaeda, mastermind of 9/11, killed by U.S. forces in 2011.

Force Protection

Measures taken to prevent hostile actions against military personnel, resources, and facilities.

A Revolution in Warfare byy Cohen

A book that analyzes the changing nature of warfare and its implications for military strategy and national security

Vladimir Putin

The President of Russia, known for his centralization of power and controversial political actions since the early 2000s.

Rishi Sunak

The current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, prominent in economic and fiscal policy.

Olaf Scholz

The Chancellor of Germany, who has focused on social policy and economic reforms since taking office in 2021.

Volodymyr Zelensky

The President of Ukraine, who rose to prominence during the Russo-Ukrainian War and is known for his leadership and military support efforts.

Xi Jinping

The General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and the President of China, known for consolidating power and implementing economic reforms.

Emmanuel Macron

The President of France since 2017, noted for his pro-European Union stance and various domestic reforms.

Narendra Modi

The Prime Minister of India, known for his economic policies, efforts to improve infrastructure, and initiatives like "Make in India" and the Swachh Bharat mission.

Benjamin maNetanyahu

The Prime Minister of Israel, known for his long tenure, controversial policies regarding settlements, and efforts to improve security.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva

The President of Brazil, recognized for his social programs aimed at reducing poverty and his focus on environmental issues during his terms in office.

Scapegoating in IR

The practice of blaming an individual or group for problems or negative outcomes in international relations, often used as a political strategy to divert attention from other issues.

Primordial

theory in international relations that suggests ethnic identities are deeply rooted and historically significant in shaping state behavior and conflicts.

Maleable

capable of being shaped or influenced easily, particularly in the context of identity or behavior in international relations.