Exam 2 - International Relations

Thomas Klein - A weapon of mass destruction whose power projection capabilities are unmatched. Uses coercion through pure aura, maintains mutually assured destruction in group debates, and represents total war every time he walks into class. Built thick enough to survive nuclear proliferation and tough enough to make the military industrial complex nervous.

National Interests

A country’s goals and objectives in international relations.

Grand Strategy

The national strategy used to achieve national interests. Examples include balancing, containment, and appeasement.

Policy

The tools used to achieve national interests.

Military Policy

Use of military force to achieve goals. Example: occupation or war.

Political Policy

Use of diplomacy, treaties, or negotiations to achieve goals.

Economic Policy

Use of trade, sanctions, or embargos to achieve goals.

Sanctions

An economic penalty where trade in specific areas with a country is restricted.

Embargos

An absolute no trade policy where all trade with a country is cut off.

Occupation

When a nation places troops in and controls a foreign territory.

Total War

War where the goal is the unconditional surrender of the enemy.

Diplomacy

Political negotiations and treaties between countries.

Rational Decision Making Model

Decisions made through cost

Organizational Process Model

Decisions made by following standard operating procedures (SOPs).

Government Bargaining Model

Decisions made through negotiation among different government actors.

Echo Chamber

A situation where dissenting opinions are absent within a group.

Group Think

The result of echo chambers where critical thinking is weakened by conformity.

Bureaucracy

The system of agencies and officials that implement and enforce laws and policies.

Interest Groups

Groups that attempt to influence political decisions and politicians.

Military Industrial Complex

The relationship between governments, defense contractors, and war profiteers that may encourage aggressive foreign policy for profit.

Limited War

War fought for objectives other than unconditional surrender.

Proxy War

A war fought indirectly through other countries or groups.

Civil War

A war fought between groups within the same country.

Guerilla War

Asymmetrical warfare using hit

Global War

War fought over control of the world order.

Cold War

A conflict fought mainly through threats, competition, and proxy wars rather than direct combat.

Religion Cause of War

Wars caused by religious differences or conflicts.

Ethnicity Cause of War

Wars caused by ethnic tensions or conflicts.

Ideology Cause of War

Wars caused by conflicting political or economic beliefs.

Territory Cause of War

Wars fought over land disputes.

Economy Cause of War

Wars caused by economic competition or resources.

Government Cause of War

Wars caused by disputes over political control or systems of government.

Irredentism

A movement to reclaim territory considered lost or historically belonging to a group or nation.

Mercantilism

An economic policy focused on increasing state wealth and power through trade.

Secession

When a region or group attempts to separate from a state and form its own country.

Ethnicity and Statehood

An ethnic group does not necessarily have its own state or country.

Terrorism

The use of violence against civilians to spread an ideological message.

Selected Targeting Terrorism

Terrorism directed at a specific person or entity.

Categorical Terrorism

Terrorism directed at a specific identity group.

Indiscriminate Terrorism

Terrorism aimed at killing as many civilians as possible.

State Sponsored Terrorism

When governments support violent non

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

Weapons capable of causing large

Nuclear Weapons

Weapons using nuclear reactions to create massive explosions.

Chemical Weapons

Weapons that use harmful chemicals to injure or kill people.

Biological Weapons

Weapons that use diseases or biological agents to harm people.

Fusion Bomb (Hydrogen Bomb)

A highly powerful nuclear weapon using fusion reactions.

Fission Bomb (Atomic Bomb)

A nuclear weapon using fission reactions; the type used in World War II.

Nuclear Proliferation

The spread of nuclear weapons to more countries.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

The idea that nuclear war would destroy both the attacker and defender.

Commander in Chief

The president’s role as head of the military in the United States.

Coup d’état

The overthrow of a government by the military.

Power Projection

The ability of a country to use military force far from its homeland.