MOD 10:GOV 312L: US FOREIGN POLICY

These flashcards cover key concepts related to U.S. foreign policy and the causes and consequences of war, particularly within the context of commitment problems and international relations.

Commitment Problems

Issues that arise from the inability of states to uphold agreements over time, often leading to war.

Preventive War

A conflict initiated to prevent a future threat, not a reaction to an immediate attack.

Peace Settlement

An agreement between conflicting parties aimed at resolving disputes and establishing peace.

Power Shift

A change in the balance of power between states, often influencing their diplomatic and military actions.

Arms Control

Agreements between states to restrict or regulate weapons in order to stabilize military power distribution.

Versailles Settlement

Post-World War I agreement that aimed to maintain the military power distribution by imposing reparations on Germany.

Commitment Problem in WWI

Russia's inability to honor commitments regarding Austro-Hungarian influence in the Balkans, leading to conflict.

Woodrow Wilson's Peace Without Victory

Wilson's approach advocating for an end to war without harsh penalties for the losing side.

League of Nations

An international organization founded after WWI aimed at promoting peace and cooperation among nations.

Economic Consequences of WWI

The U.S. emerged as the world's leading economic power and creditor following the war.

Commitment Problems

Issues that arise from the inability of states to uphold agreements over time, often leading to war by making agreements unsustainable or by creating incentives to fight rather than trust future compliance.

How a Power Shift Creates a Commitment Problem and Causes War

When the distribution of power between states is expected to change, the rising power may not be able to credibly commit to future moderation, or the declining power may not be able to credibly commit to not challenging the new status quo. This generates incentives for a preventive war by the state whose power is decreasing, seeking to lock in a more favorable distribution of power before it eroding further.

State More Likely to Launch a Preventive War

A state that sees its relative power decreasing is more likely to launch a preventive war in order to pre-empt a less favorable future power balance.

Commitment Problem in WWI (1914 Outbreak)

Russia's inability to credibly commit to honoring Austro-Hungarian influence in the Balkans as its own power grew, which led Austria-Hungary and Germany to see war as preferable to a future where Russia could dominate the region.

Commitment Problem in U.S. Entry into WWI (1917)

Germany's inability to credibly commit to restricting its submarine warfare. Despite pledges, Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare, leading the U.S. to conclude that agreements could not be trusted and war was unavoidable.

Commitment Problem in WWII (1939 Outbreak)

Germany's inability to credibly commit to limiting its future demands and expansionist aims after several territorial acquisitions (e.g., Rhineland, Austria, Czechoslovakia). Western powers, unable to trust German promises, eventually decided that further appeasement was futile and deterrence was necessary, leading to war when Germany invaded Poland.