Case Studies
Models and Graphs
Terms
Domestic Politics and War
International Institutions and War
100
The Axis powers or the Allies during World War II are an example of what type of alliance?
An offensive alliance, military alliance formed for the purpose of fighting a common enemy in war.
100
What does the line below represent?
Bargaining range of war model before an alliance
100
The domestic penalty a political leader faces after issuing a public threat or commitment and then backing down from it
What is audience cost?
100
What impact does the rally around the flag effect have on the bargaining range of war
The rally around the flag effect shrinks the bargaining range because political leaders do not have to pay as much of a cost to enter conflict.
100
What are some reasons two actors may form an alliance?
Weak states gain protection, strong states get to signal their resolve and power on the global stage, combining resources allows for greater defensive capabilities that can be used against a stronger opponent, alliances can temper conflicts between two actors, alliances can formalize a sphere of influence
200
The Falklands War between Argentina and Britain came during a time when both countries had largely unpopular governments. The onset of war ended up bolstering the popularity of both Galtieri's military dictatorship in Argentina and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the UK. This reflects what aspect of international politics?
The rally around the flag effect. Both countries were able to use the war to distract from domestic issues in their own countries. The war was started by Argentina in response to recent riots and civil displays against the military dictatorship.
200
This graph shows support for various wars graphed against US military casualties. What do you notice about the graph and what does that tell you about domestic politics and war?
Usually, as more service members die the public loses support for wars. This should give politicians pause about trying to invoke rally effects because they could end up in a long, prolonged conflict that hurts their approval numbers.
200
This effect happens when politicians spark warfare to hold onto power domestically. Foreign conflicts cause domestic audiences to become distracted from issues with the leader, bolstering their approval ratings. Used by politicians like George W. Bush, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ronald Reagan
What is the rally around the flag effect?
200
What impact does a dove have on the bargaining model of war?
A dove increases the bargaining range because they want to avoid war, they're willing to pay more costs to avoid a conflict
200
How is a collective security agreement different from an alliance?
A collective security agreement is a more expansive partnership where every state agrees to cooperate on actions that threaten a member state while an alliance is usually between two or three states unified against a specific enemy. Collective security agreements also usually have some sort of goal or purpose at the heart of them, such as the UN which was created to preserve global peace and prevent conflicts between major states.
300
The United Fruit Company urging the US government and the CIA to overthrow the government of Guatemala to preserve their profiteering in the region is an example of what type of interest? National or particularistic?
Particularistic interest, the profits of United Fruit only matters to those involved in the company. The American populace writ large would likely not have supported the overthrow in Guatemala
300
The graph below shows the stark increase of democracies in the world over time. This increase of democracies has coincided with a decrease in warfare. What theory is reflected by this graph?
Democratic Peace Theory
300
Commitments by states to cooperate on security policy. Formed when states have compatible interests in military cooperation, such as a shared enemy
What is an alliance?
300
What impact does a Hawk have on the bargaining model of war?
A hawk shrinks the possible bargaining range because they are more willing to go to war than doves or non-aligned politicians. 
300
The UN Security Council has five permanent members with veto power over their resolutions. Name the members of the P5
China, Russia, France, UK, US
400
The United States and South Korea have what type of alliance?
An asymmetrical alliance. The United States is a very powerful military that has allied itself with a much smaller military to ensure the safety and protection of that smaller state. Also an example of a defensive alliance.
400
The graph below shows vetoes in the UN Security council over time. Based on the trends of the graph, what can we say about the UN after the Cold War?
There have been less vetoes after the end of the Cold War which has allowed the UN to have a greater role in international politics and warfare.
400
When a state join an alliance because they want to jump onto what they think will be the winning side of a conflict
What is band wagoning?
400
How can democratic societies curb Hawkish interests?
Fair elections, free media, and party competition.
400
Are powerful states more likely to defend the interests of their collective security agreements or the interests of their personal allies?
Personal allies. More powerful states frankly do not need collective security agreements like the UN as much as developing and smaller states do, so they value their personal alliances far more. This is why the UN had issues addressing humanitarian issues in Syria and Darfur, because Russia and China respectively were more committed to preserving their alliances with Syria and Sudan.
500
A politician that favors warfare is a blank, a politician that opposes warfare is a blank
What is a hawk and a dove
500
What are some reasons democracies may be less prone to go to war?
Leaders are held accountable in democracies which forces elites somewhat be in consensus with the masses that pay the costs of war. War is unpopular with most people, making it harder to enact in a democracy.
500
What is the role of UN peacekeepers?
UN Peacekeepers are supposed to act as mediators in conflict that transition states out of times of violence. They are supposed to help reintegrate belligerent groups back into civil society and act as impartial moderators, although this has not always been successful
600
Theory in international relations that democracies are less likely to go to war with each other because of their shared values
Democratic Peace Theory
600
Give one example of a Hawk politician and one example of a Dove politician.
Hawks could include people like Lindsey Graham, Trump, Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton, etc.
Doves would include Bernie Sanders, RFK (not Jr.), AOC, Justin Trudeau, etc.
600
After the Cold War and the failures of interventions like Somalia, the UN created this doctrine in 2006 which states the UN is supposed to intervene in events of genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity.
Responsibility to Protect or R2P
700
What is the difference between a national interest and a particularistic interest?
A national interest is a broadly shared goal among everybody in a country, like security or stability. A particularistic interest is specific to a small group, such as a corporation or an ethnic minority.
700
Name one key domestic actor in foreign policy decisions and explain the impact they have.
Leadership: Highest actor, formally declares war and oversees conflict. These are our presidents and prime ministers and congresspeople
Bureaucracy: These people carry out the decisions leaders make. The most important part of the bureaucracy in terms of warfare is the military
Interest groups: These are non-governmental groups that may seek to influence foreign policy decisions by spending money on elections and meetings with politicians. They could represent a corporate interest, an ethnic group, an occupation, etc.
General public: Holds the power of opinion. Can hold leaders accountable for foreign policy decisions that don't work out.
700
When is the UN most successful in addressing conflict?
The UN is most successful when powerful states agree on a plan of action and when a strong state takes an interest in a conflict and is willing to pay costs to resolve it.