Mercantilism and Its Impact on Trade

Entrapment occurs when an alliance forces a state into an unfavorable decision, often leading to a conflict it might not have otherwise engaged in. For example, if a state with a strong alliance is threatened by a weaker adversary, its ally's commitment to defend it could force the state into war, even though the potential costs might outweigh the benefits.

Alliances alter the bargaining range by influencing war costs and the status quo. A state with strong allies has a higher incentive to fight, believing they can win with less cost. This raises their desired outcome, thus demanding more in negotiations. For the non-alliance state, the threat of a larger, allied opponent makes them less likely to challenge the status quo. This strengthens the position of the allied state, pushing the bargaining range in their favor.

Collective Security Organizations aim to ensure that any changes to the status quo are peaceful. They work on the principle that all states desire peace and would cooperate to deter aggressors. They achieve this by lowering the first-strike advantage and providing a collective response to aggression. The United Nations (UN), with its Security Council, is an example of a Collective Security Organization.

<p>Peace-enforcement operations are armed responses to conflict, aiming to force warring parties to comply with the UN's demands. They are more interventionist, involving military force to achieve peace. On the other hand, peacekeeping operations are preventative measures deployed to buffer conflict zones, ensuring that peace agreements are upheld and violence is minimized. They are more focused on monitoring and mediating, relying on diplomacy and presence to deter violence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Collective Security Organizations like the UN have proven successful in reducing violence and protecting civilians through peacekeeping operations. They provide a neutral presence and often act as a mediator between warring parties, facilitating dialogue and establishing trust. However, they face challenges like sexual exploitation and abuse by peacekeeping forces, difficulty in establishing legitimacy, and inaction in the face of genocide. Moreover, the P5's veto power can limit the UN's effectiveness in responding to international crises.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Grievances refer to perceived injustices or discrimination faced by a group, leading them to rebel for equality or autonomy. For example, the Rwandan genocide was fueled by grievances based on ethnic tensions and historical injustices. Greed motivates rebellion for resources or power, often driven by economic factors. For example, the Lord's Resistance Army in Uganda sought to seize control of diamond mines. Social sanctions occur when groups feel excluded from the political system or lack representation, pushing them towards violence. For instance, the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka resorted to armed rebellion after feeling marginalized by the Sinhalese-dominated government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Rebel groups can have diverse goals, influencing their strategies and outcomes. Some groups seek to secede from the state, like the Kurds in Iraq striving for independence, or to annex territory to another state, as seen with irredentist movements aiming to join neighboring countries. Others focus on policy changes, like the Zapatistas in Mexico demanding land reforms or indigenous rights. Some rebels aim to completely overthrow the regime, like the Taliban in Afghanistan which successfully captured power, or to control specific resources, as seen with rebel groups controlling diamond mines or oil fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Understanding the factors contributing to civil wars is crucial for effective conflict response and sustainable peacebuilding. Recognizing the interplay of grievances, greed, and social sanctions allows policymakers to tailor strategies to address the root causes of the conflict. For instance, addressing economic inequalities, promoting inclusivity, and addressing grievances through political dialogue can contribute to resolving conflict and preventing its reemergence. Conversely, neglecting these underlying factors risks perpetuating violence and fueling further instability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Forced recruitment increases the likelihood of insurgency by compelling individuals to join, even if they might not initially support the cause.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>States with higher wealth and greater repressive capacity can suppress dissent more effectively, reducing the chances of civil war despite prevailing grievances.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Indivisibility in civil conflicts, especially regarding regime or policy, complicates bargaining as groups see no possible compromise over critical issues.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Foreign investors can influence internal conflicts by aligning with specific groups based on shared interests or ethnic/religious ties, escalating tensions against the current government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Insurgency strategies like hit-and-run can effectively undermine state forces by leveraging guerrilla tactics and civilian support to provoke government responses.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>States serve as the main actors, with their interests reflecting national interests and exercising sovereignty.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Power enables a state to influence outcomes and pursue other interests such as national security and economic goals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cooperation involves actors improving one another’s situation without harm, whereas collaboration includes a risk of defection, as seen in situations like the prisoner's dilemma.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>A collective action problem occurs when individuals benefit from a good without contributing to its provision, leading to underproduction of public goods.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Actors must account for expected responses from other players when making decisions, affecting their strategic choices.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Linkage refers to the idea that cooperation in one issue can lead to cooperation in another, enhancing overall collaboration.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Cooperation is successful when it leads to positive-sum outcomes where all actors benefit without causing harm to others involved.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Institutions help shape the interests of states by providing rules and frameworks that facilitate cooperation and manage conflicts.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To manipulate trade to favor the mother country.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It established the principle that states have full control within their own jurisdictions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It mediated conflicts and introduced the gold standard while increasing globalization.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It led to significant economic ruin, particularly for Germany through the Treaty of Versailles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>It weakened European powers and fostered a rise in nationalism among developing countries.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To establish a framework for economic alliances among capitalist nations.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The USSR's invasion of Afghanistan to protect a pro-USSR government.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>To gain control of oil fields.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Economic barriers were removed leading to increased international trade agreements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The Warsaw Pact.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Casualty sensitivity' refers to the public's reaction to military casualties, which influences their support for the war based on whether it is perceived as 'right' and if the nation seems to be 'winning.'</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Interest groups can create focused pressure on policymakers by representing narrower interests, thereby skewing assessments of the costs and benefits of military action.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The military-industrial complex increases the role of military considerations in government decisions, often pushing for more aggressive state actions and interventions.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The balance of power theory posits that alliances are formed to create blocs of equal power among states, often in response to perceived threats to stability.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Offensive alliances are agreements to support each other in initiating attacks, while defensive alliances are commitments to assist if one of the members is attacked.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Small groups can leverage their specialized knowledge, resources, and lobbying power to ensure that military policy aligns with their interests, affecting the direction of foreign engagements.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Bandwagoning theory suggests that weaker states may align with more powerful states for protection or gain, especially if the powerful state demonstrates a willingness to share its influence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Public rallying for war can fail due to increased exposure to conflict, diverging personal values, or perceptions of the war's justification and chances of success.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The bargaining range refers to the set of possible agreements that would benefit both sides more than going to war. War is less likely to occur when there exists a bargaining range, as both sides can gain more through negotiation than through fighting. If there is no bargaining range, war becomes a more likely outcome as one or both states perceive war as a superior option to the status quo.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Compellence aims to change the status quo through the threat of force, while deterrence seeks to maintain the status quo using the threat of force.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Two key challenges to credible threat making are the difficulty of signaling resolve and the risk of being deceived by an opponent's intentions. These challenges arise because states have incentives to misrepresent their capabilities and intentions, leading to uncertainty about the opponent's true resolve and potentially resulting in a miscalculation that leads to war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Tying hands' refers to actions taken by a state to make backing down from a threat more costly, thereby increasing its credibility. This can be achieved through public pronouncements, domestic political constraints, or actions that make backing down look weak or indecisive. By increasing the costs of backing down, the state signals its commitment to the threat.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Commitment problems arise when states cannot credibly promise to uphold future agreements, particularly when bargaining over issues with implications for future power dynamics. For example, if a state gains power through a settlement, it might be tempted to renegotiate later. These situations can lead to war as states are less willing to trust agreements due to the threat of future renegotiation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Indivisible goods' refer to resources or issues that cannot be easily divided or shared. They pose a challenge to bargaining because a compromise that satisfies both sides seems impossible. While the notion of indivisibility is often used in theoretical debates, many cases actually reflect issues of enforcement. The difficulty lies not in physically dividing the good but rather in ensuring that any agreement to share is upheld and enforced by both parties.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>The decline of territorial conflict in the post-Cold War era can be attributed to two key factors: advances in technology and the rise of international institutions. Technological advancements have made physical territory less strategically important, with less emphasis on capturing and holding land. The emergence of international institutions, such as the UN and NATO, has provided mechanisms for dispute resolution and deterring aggression, thereby reducing the likelihood of resorting to war.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nationalism can promote the pursuit of peaceful foreign policy by uniting domestic populations around shared values and goals, potentially reducing domestic dissent. However, it can also hinder peaceful foreign policy by fueling intense rivalries with other nations, leading to a perception of threat and a justification for aggressive behavior. This creates a paradox where nationalism can both foster unity and incite conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>'Hawks' advocate for the use of force to solve international problems, emphasizing military solutions. 'Doves' favor non-military solutions, preferring diplomacy and economic sanctions. The tension between these two groups within a nation can lead to internal debates and political struggles, shaping the nation's foreign policy stance. The balance of power between hawks and doves can influence the likelihood of conflict or cooperation in international affairs.</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Domestic actors' interests play a significant role in shaping a nation's foreign policy decisions. By understanding the motivations of various groups within a nation, such as political parties, economic interests, and public opinion, we can gain insight into the pressures and constraints that shape foreign policy choices. This understanding can help predict which foreign policy options are more likely to be pursued by a particular state and provide context for analyzing its actions on the international stage.</p> Signup and view all the answers

The ability of one actor to make another actor do something they wouldn't otherwise do.

Interests are what actors want to achieve. They help actors rank outcomes based on how desirable they are.

When two or more actors make choices that create an outcome. Actors need to consider how others will react to their actions.

A type of interaction where two or more actors work together to improve their outcomes without harming others involved.

A situation where actors are better off cooperating but have incentives to defect. This leads to a suboptimal outcome for everyone.

When actors have an incentive to free-ride (benefit from the actions of others without contributing). This can lead to a lack of action on important issues.

A type of cooperation where actors engage repeatedly, making cooperation more likely because of the threat of ending the interaction.

When cooperation on one issue leads to cooperation on another issue.

A negotiation between two or more parties where a threat of military force is used to gain concessions.

The difference between what a state values gaining from a conflict and the costs of war.

A range of possible agreements, where both sides are better off settling than going to war.

Using the threat of force to change the status quo, for example forcing another state to concede land or resources

Using the threat of force to maintain the status quo, for example deterring a nuclear attack.

The problem of incomplete information in crisis bargaining, as states may not know each other's capabilities or willingness to fight.

Making a threat that is too costly to be a bluff, making the other side believe you will carry it out.

An intentional escalation of conflict towards the brink of war, making it more likely war will actually occur.

A strategy of making threats that would be costly to back down from, to create a public perception of resoluteness.

Investing a lot of resources to signal commitment and deter aggression.

The idea that public support for a war declines as casualties increase, as people become more sensitive to the human cost of conflict.

People with more direct experience of war or conflict are less likely to rally behind it, due to understanding its true costs.

The complex network of government agencies, military forces, and institutions that make up the state apparatus.

A powerful force that shapes U.S. foreign policy, characterized by the close relationship and mutual influence between the military, defense industry, and government policy.

Groups of individuals who advocate for specific interests and influence government policy.

The theory that alliances form to create a balance of power between competing states, preventing any one state from becoming too dominant.

The theory that weaker states will align themselves with the strongest state, hoping to benefit from its power.

Formal agreements between states that define standards of behavior and regulate military cooperation, usually to either deter or enable aggression.

A policy of government intervention in the economy to maximize national wealth, especially by accumulating gold and silver reserves, promoting exports, and restricting imports. Mercantilist states aimed to become self-sufficient, protect their domestic industries, and control colonial trade for their own benefit.

An era of relative peace and stability in international relations characterized by British dominance and influence. This period saw the spread of free trade, globalization, and the establishment of the gold standard.

A period of great economic and political instability brought about by the devastation of World War I, leading to the Great Depression and the rise of totalitarian regimes.

A destructive conflict between two superpowers, the United States (representing the capitalist West) and the Soviet Union (representing the communist East). This ideological struggle shaped global politics and international relations for much of the second half of the 20th century.

A system of fixed exchange rates established after World War II, where the US dollar was pegged to gold and other currencies were pegged to the dollar. It provided a basis for international trade and financial stability during the Cold War.

A military alliance formed by the United States and its allies in response to the perceived threat posed by the USSR. It served to deter Soviet aggression and reinforce the collective defense of Western Europe.

A military alliance between the Soviet Union and its Eastern European allies. It countered NATO's expansion and served to consolidate Soviet control over its satellite states.

The process of economic, political, and social integration among countries, characterized by increased cross-border trade, investment, migration, and cultural exchange. It's driven by technological advancements, globalization, and the removal of trade barriers.

An international organization created after World War I to maintain peace and prevent future conflicts. However, it proved ineffective in resolving disputes between nations and failed to stop the outbreak of World War II.

The economic crisis that ravaged the world in the 1930s, triggered by the stock market crash of 1929. It led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

Insurgency tactics involve hit-and-run attacks, hiding among civilians, and provoking government responses, often using small forces for maximum disruption.

Factors like state wealth, repressive capacity, and population density influence a state's ability to respond to insurgency and counterinsurgency effectively.

Ethnic divisions and inequalities in wealth or political power between groups can exacerbate tensions and contribute to civil conflict.

Individual factors like grievance and forced recruitment can drive people to join rebel groups or support insurgency.

The situation before a conflict arises, often involving political or territorial arrangements.

Occurs when an alliance unintentionally pulls a state into a conflict it would otherwise avoid.

A type of international organization that aims to prevent conflicts and maintain peace through peaceful resolutions.

The ability of a state to strike first with a surprise attack, often with a greater chance of success.

Armed forces deployed to restore peace and enforce a peace settlement.

Armed forces deployed to prevent conflict and maintain peace, usually with the consent of the involved parties.

A violent conflict within a state, involving organized groups fighting the government or each other.