International Relations - Ch. 4-6

Rational model

A model in which decision makers calculate the costs and benefits of each possible course of action, choosing the one with the highest benefits and lowest costs.

Organizational process model

A decision making model in which policy makers or lower-level officials rely on standardized responses and standard operating procedures.

Government bargaining model

A model that sees foreign policy decisions as arising from a bargaining process among various government agencies with divergent interests.

Cognitive Bias

Systematic distortions of rational calculations based on preconceived notions or psychological factors.

Affective Bias

Emotions that decision makers feel while considering the consequences of their actions.

Prospect Theory

A theory stating that options are assessed by comparison to a reference point, with decision makers fearing losses more than they value gains.

Bounded Rationality

The idea that decision making takes into account the cost of seeking and processing information.

Satisficing

The act of finding a 'good enough' or satisfactory solution to a problem.

Interest groups

Coalitions of people who share a common interest in the outcome of some political issue and organize to influence it.

Cognitive and affective biases

Limitations of the human brain in making choices, affected by emotional feelings and cognitive distortions.

Military Industrial Complex

Interlocking networks of governmental agencies working together to promote & benefit from military spending

Rally Round the Flag

Publics increased support for gov during wartime

Groupthink

Tendency of groups to validate wrong decisions by becoming overconfident & underestimating risks.

Hegemonic War

War for control of the entire world

Total War

Warfare by one state waged to conquer & occupy another

Limited war/ Targeted Strike

Military actions carried out to gain some objective short of the surrender & occupation of the enemy

Guerilla War

Warfare without front lines & within irregular forces operating in the midst of & often hidden or protected by civilian populations

Conventional Military Forces

A nations regular armed forces

Counterinsurgency

An effort to combat armies, often including programs to win the hearts and minds of rural populations so they stop sheltering guerillas.

Power Projection

The ability to use military force in areas far from a country’s region or sphere of influence

Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWs)

Weapon systems that can identify, select & engage targets without human intervention

Stealth Technology/Drones

The use of special radar-absorbent materials & unusual shapes in the design of aircraft, missiles & ships to scatter enemy radar

State-sponsored Terrorism

The use of terrorist groups by states, usually under control of a states intelligence agency to achieve political aims

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMDs)

Nuclear, chemical & biological weapons

Chemical Weapons Convention

1992 agreement to ban the production and possession of chemical weapons

Biological Weapons Convention

1972 agreement that prohibits the development, production & possession of biological weapons

Non-proliferation Treaty

1968 treaty that created the framework for controlling the spread of nuclear materials & expertise

MAD/Second-strike capability

Ensures that neither of the two adversaries could prevent the other from destroying it in an all out war.