POSC 218 FINAL EXAM

Steering Process

A cycle involving implementation, monitoring, and adjustment in decision-making.

Rational Model

A decision-making model that assumes leaders clarify goals, prioritize them, list alternatives, evaluate consequences, and select the best option.

Organizational Process Model

Model where decisions are made using standard operating procedures rather than analyzing each situation from scratch.

Government Bargaining/Bureaucratic Politics Model

Decisions result from negotiations among government agencies, each with its own interests.

Perception Filtering

When leaders interpret information based on their worldviews or cultural backgrounds.

Bounded Rationality

Decision-makers settle for options that are 'good enough' due to constraints of time and resources.

Prospect Theory

Theory stating that people are more risk-averse with gains and more risk-tolerant to avoid losses.

Cognitive Bias

Distortions in decision-making caused by personal biases or misinterpretations.

Misperception

Misinterpreting the actions of other states.

Attribution Error

Blaming adversaries’ actions on their nature rather than circumstances.

Mirror Imaging

Assuming others think and behave like oneself.

Historical Analogy

Using past events as an flawed template for current decisions.

Crisis Management

Involves high stakes, time pressure, and uncertainty in decision-making.

Political Appointees

Short-term officials who prioritize a president's agenda.

Career Diplomats

Long-term officials focused on stability in foreign relations.

Interagency Tensions

Rivalries between agencies complicating foreign policy decisions.

Embassy

A country's primary diplomatic office in another state.

Consulate

Smaller diplomatic offices handling specific tasks like issuing visas.

Lobbying

Influencing foreign policy through persuasion and resource mobilization.

Inside Game

Direct interaction with policymakers in lobbying.

Outside Game

Mobilizing public opinion to pressure decision-makers.

Military-Industrial Complex

The growing influence of defense contractors and military leaders over policy.

Revolving Door

The movement of individuals between government, military, and defense industries.

Public Opinion

Shaping foreign policy particularly in democracies where leaders are accountable to voters.

Legislatures

Influence foreign policy by approving budgets, treaties, and military actions.

Monetary Policy

Central banks control the money supply and interest rates to stabilize the economy.

Fiscal Policy

Government taxing and spending to influence economic growth.

Market Economy

Decisions made by individuals and businesses based on supply and demand.

Command Economy

The government centrally plans production and distribution.

Supply and Demand

Fundamental forces driving market economies.

Equilibrium

Point where supply equals demand.

Scarcity

Limited resources force choices about allocation.

Liberalism

Emphasizes free markets with limited government intervention.

Social Democracy

Balances market capitalism with social welfare policies.

Communism

Advocates for state control of resources and equitable wealth distribution.

Mercantilism

Focuses on maximizing state power through trade surpluses.

Expansionary Monetary Policy

Increases money supply and lowers interest rates during a recession.

Contractionary Monetary Policy

Reduces money supply and raises interest rates during inflation.

Expansionary Fiscal Policy

Increases spending and lowers taxes during recessions.

Contractionary Fiscal Policy

Cuts spending and increases taxes to stabilize economies during high deficits.

Political Economy

Study of relationships between politics and economics, focusing on power and resource allocation.

Scarcity

Limited resources in high demand give goods value.

Four Political-Economic Systems

Liberalism, Social Democracy, Communism, Mercantilism.