All Midterm #2 Notes

Strategic Situations

Circumstances where an actor's choices are affected by the choices of others.

Intensity of Conflicts of Interest

The extent to which one party's gain results in another party's loss.

Prisoner’s Dilemma

A situation in which two players can either cooperate or defect, typically leading to mutual punishment.

Cooperate (in the Prisoner's Dilemma)

To remain silent and not betray a partner.

Defect (in the Prisoner's Dilemma)

To betray a partner by revealing information.

Preference Ranking

The order of outcomes based on their desirability for each player involved.

Shadow of the Future

A concept in game theory where the future consequences of current actions affect decision making.

Stag Hunt

A game where two players can either cooperate to hunt a stag or defect to hunt a hare.

Equilibrium

A situation where all players' strategies are optimal, taking into account the strategies of others.

Reciprocity

The practice of responding to a positive action with another positive action, creating a cycle of mutual benefit.

Externalities

Indirect effects of actions of one actor affecting others, which can be positive or negative.

Foreign Policy

Actions and strategies that a state employs to manage its relations with other states.

Grand Strategy

An overarching plan or statement of goals to guide a country's foreign policy.

Hard Power

The use of coercion (military force or economic sanctions) to influence actions of other states.

Soft Power

Influencing others through attraction and persuasion, rather than coercion.

Composite Indicator of National Military Capabilities (CINC)

A measure used to compare national military strengths based on various dimensions.

Empirical Analysis

The practice of collecting and analyzing data to identify patterns and inform decisions.

Regime

A form of government or set of rules defining how power is distributed and exercised in a country.

Violence (in the context of war)

The significant and deliberate use of force, typically leading to death or injury.

Bargaining Failure

A situation where potential gains from cooperative settlements in conflicts are not realized, often leading to war.

Private Information

Knowledge that one party has which is not known to others, often leading to asymmetrical power dynamics.

Commitment Problems

Difficulties that arise in making credible commitments in negotiations that can lead to conflict.

Hegemonic Stability Theory

The idea that the international system is more stable when a single nation-state is the dominant global power.

Selectorate Theory

A theory that emphasizes the role of political institutions in determining the distribution of political power.

Kantian Tripod

A framework emphasizing the importance of representative government, economic independence, and international organizations for maintaining peace.

Formal Institutions

Established entities based on legal frameworks or treaties aimed at governing international relations.

Informal Institutions

Unwritten norms and practices that guide behavior in international relations but are not legally binding.

Norms and Practices (in international relations)

Shared expectations and behaviors that dictate how states should behave towards each other.

Adaptive Flexibility (of informal institutions)

The ability of informal institutions to quickly adjust to changing circumstances.

Interaction between Formal and Informal Institutions

The dynamic relationship where formal institutions provide structure while informal institutions offer flexibility and adaptability.