Political Leadership: Weeks 6 & 7 Overview

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Questions and Answers

In what situation do a leader's personality traits have the greatest influence?

When there are institutional constraints present

Predictable political environments

During crises or unprecedented moments (correct)

Stable governments with established checks and balances

How does prospect theory affect a leader's risk behavior?

It shows that risk behavior is determined only by individual traits

It implies willingness to take risks depends on framing losses versus gains (correct)

It suggests outcomes are unaffected by context

It indicates that leaders are always risk-averse

What are leaders often confident about regarding interpersonal interactions?

Their strategic decision-making capabilities

Their ability to accurately read nonverbal cues (correct)

Their popularity among the public

Their consistent risk propensity

What is an issue-image trade-off regarding leaders' decision-making?

Leaders often pursue unpopular policies to construct a favorable public image Signup and view all the answers

How does gender influence leadership styles in relation to international security?

Women leaders are more likely to adopt hawkish strategies Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the unitary actor assumption?

Actors behave independently of internal disagreements within the state Signup and view all the answers

What element is crucial when evaluating the effectiveness of leaders during crises?

The ability to interpret and respond to the situation Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary reason leaders might increase defense spending despite public opposition?

To cultivate an image of strong leadership Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary characteristic of a hawk in terms of national security preferences?

Support for military force in achieving national security goals Signup and view all the answers

How does Congress typically exercise its power regarding national security decisions?

By appropriating funds and influencing public perception Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario is Congress most likely to challenge the president's actions?

When members of the opposition party are in the majority Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'party brand' refer to in the context of political parties?

The unified message and public perception of a party Signup and view all the answers

What role does a party's opposition play in the context of a president's actions?

They criticize the president to damage the credibility of the opposing party Signup and view all the answers

What do the rational policy model and the unitary actor assumption have in common?

Both assume a single actor making consistent choices. Signup and view all the answers

What factor can diminish Congress's willingness to exert its power over the president?

A solid communication network between party leaders and the president Signup and view all the answers

Which type is characterized by skepticism of military force and favors diplomatic solutions?

Doves Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the organizational process model of decision making?

Involves multiple actors and relies on standard operating procedures. Signup and view all the answers

What can lead to members of Congress prioritizing local concerns over party branding?

High costs impacting their constituents Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes bureaucratic politics in the context of decision making?

Decisions are made through consensus building among several actors. Signup and view all the answers

How do elite cues typically influence public attention towards foreign policy?

They serve as alerts for the public to take interest in foreign policy. Signup and view all the answers

What type of elite cue is considered most significant?

When hawkish elites take a dovish position. Signup and view all the answers

In decision making, why do leaders tend to avoid elite cues?

To prevent public backlash based on elite opinions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of the rational policy model?

Views the state as a unified actor with a single goal. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is true regarding institutional elite cues?

They arise from the organizations to which individuals belong. Signup and view all the answers

What is issue ownership?

The perception that a party is better at solving specific issues. Signup and view all the answers

What significant change did the Green party in Germany make regarding military intervention in Kosovo?

They aligned their party ideology to support military action for humanitarian purposes. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes humanitarian interventions uniquely?

They can convert proponents of peace into advocates for military action. Signup and view all the answers

How can public opinion influence national security decisions?

Public opinion can help justify policies and hold leaders accountable. Signup and view all the answers

How does the Almond-Lippmann view of public opinion differ from the rational public view?

It characterizes the public as volatile and emotional. Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'emotional public' suggest in the context of public opinion?

The public often reacts impulsively to events. Signup and view all the answers

What role does retrospective voting play in the electoral process?

It may lead to voters removing officials based on their previous decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential consequence of not having coherent party ideologies?

It can result in confusion and inconsistency in policy-making. Signup and view all the answers

How do individualizing moral foundations typically influence foreign policy preferences?

They predict cooperative internationalism/doves. Signup and view all the answers

What effect do moralized attitudes have on people's views and political behavior?

They lead to a belief in universal applicability of one's views. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a transnational advocacy network?

It works across countries and is centered around a principle idea or value. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mechanism through which transnational advocacy networks exert their power?

Framing issues and gathering information. Signup and view all the answers

What does the boomerang model illustrate in the context of human rights advocacy?

International pressure can lead to government accountability. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference in Evangelista's argument regarding transnational networks and nuclear security compared to conventional wisdom?

He contends that once heard, voices in authoritative states gain significant influence. Signup and view all the answers

Which issues are most susceptible to influence from transnational advocacy networks?

Areas where information is lacking and governments may conceal facts. Signup and view all the answers

What role do individualizing and binding moral foundations play in shaping foreign policy views?

They split preferences into cooperative and militant internationalism. Signup and view all the answers

What has been a conventional thought about authoritarian regimes' responsiveness to transnational advocacy networks?

They completely dismiss transnational networks. Signup and view all the answers

Why were transnational advocacy networks more successful in influencing nuclear policy in the Soviet Union compared to the United States?

People trusted transnational groups and listened to them. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a civilian position within the US government?

National Security Advisor Signup and view all the answers

What does civilian control refer to in the context of democratic governance?

A separation between civilian goals and military tactics. Signup and view all the answers

According to Huntington's model, what is the role of the military?

Implementing tactical decisions based on civilian objectives. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key critique of Huntington's model by Brooks?

It ignores the political nature of military actions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main focus of the professional supremacist model of civil-military relations?

Ensuring military expertise is respected and not micromanaged. Signup and view all the answers

How do civilian supremacists view the role of the executive branch in military decisions?

As the ultimate authority with a comprehensive understanding of national interest. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 6: Leaders

Leaders' personality traits are most important during new or changing institutions, when institutional constraints are few, or during crises.
Rational actor assumption is questioned by the varying choices of leaders.
Risk propensity is a fixed personality trait.
Risk perception depends on the context, with leaders willing to do more to recover losses than gain.
Leaders' risk behavior is influenced by circumstance and personal traits (e.g., Bush, Obama).
Interpersonal interactions between leaders can affect international security, as leaders interpret verbal and nonverbal cues.
Leaders' ability to understand other leaders' sincerity affects policy decisions.
Issue-image trade-offs involve taking unpopular stances to present a positive image to the public.
Public opinion is a major concern for effective leadership.

Week 7: Civilians Experts and Elites

The unitary actor assumption posits that states have a singular national interest.
Rational, organizational process, and bureaucratic politics models differ in their descriptions of decision-making processes, and each relates differently to the unitary actor assumption.
Rational model assumes purposive choices by actors.
Organizational process involves complex routines and coordinating among actors.
Bureaucratic politics involves bargains among different actors.
Elite cues shape public attention and policy discussions.

Week 8: Parties and Legislators + The Public

Congress' power over national security decisions includes budgetary authority and oversight.
Congress is more likely to exert its powers when opposing the president.
Party brand matters for public perception and credibility.

Week 9: Transnational Networks + Civil-Military Relations

Transnational advocacy networks are groups acting on common values, gaining power through information sharing.
The boomerang model describes how NGOs in one country exert pressure on another country through third-party actors.
Transnational networks have a greater impact when information and accountability are less regulated.

Week 10: Civilian and Military Attitudes + The Risks of a Politicized Military

The Powell-Albright pattern describes how civilians and military leaders differ in their perceptions of force use.
Leaders' and military personnel's different understandings can affect policy decisions.

Week 11: Domestic Consequences of War

War has various short- and long-run domestic effects (e.g., societal change and shifts in power).
The Cold War Consensus was significantly influenced by the Vietnam War.

Secrecy and democracy have a tense relationship, as secrecy potentially limits democratic accountability.
Modern classifications of information, including digital material, differ from previous methods.
Covert actions are less transparent.
Public opinion regarding secrecy varies, influenced by conditions and justifications.
Social media has implications for knowledge dissemination and misinformation.

Week 14: Borders and Boundaries

Sovereignty is understood as the exclusion of external actors.
Territorial integrity establishes state protection of borders but with internal conflicts.
Globalization's influence on borders involves changes in immigration, security, and economic interactions.
Ontological security refers to a secure sense of belonging in the world.

Week 15: Great Power Politics at Home

National security issues influence domestic policy, impacting attitudes and behaviour.
Power dynamics and public perceptions affect leaders' decisions.
Declinism narratives often reflect a political party's criticisms and concerns.

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Description

Explore the influence of leaders' personality traits in new or changing institutions and during crises. Understand the dynamics between leaders and their effect on international security, as well as the relationship between political elites, civilians, and national interests. This quiz focuses on key concepts from the specified weeks.