Exam 3: Theories of International Decision Making

The type of government a country possesses is often thought to influence foreign policy. According to those who subscribe to this view, whether a country is democratic or autocratic will have a bearing on how policy is made and, in turn, on the kind of policy that results. What are the consequences of different types of government for the formulation and conduct of foreign policy?

Variables that affect foreign policy choices include:

Political efficacy refers to a person's belief in his or her own ability to make effective rational choices.

Explain game theory.

The Cuban Missile Crisis is an example of

According to de Tocqueville, "…two things that a democratic people will always find difficult," are _____________ and ________.

____________________ is a system of government where unlimited power is concentrated in the hands of a single person.

What is the difference between polarity and polarization?

Game theory is the use of hypothetical situations to help determine standard operating procedures.

The extent to which a policymaker believes in his or her ability to control events politically is called ____________________.

The text gives two views of how democracies handle foreign policy. One says that democracies are deficient because they are slow to react; yet when they do finally react, they overreact. The other view says that governments accountable to their citizens through the ballot box are restrained by those citizens from extreme choices such as initiating conflict. Examine the United States' response to terrorism, both before and after September 11th, in light of both viewpoints.

Democracies are prone to inertia in foreign affairs because _________________________.

____________________ is the concept that better and more rational choices are made when decisions are reached in a group context, which allows advocates of differing alternatives to be heard so that the feasibility of rival options receive critical evaluation.

Differing opinions between key advisors

According to constructivist theory, a leader's objective realities are interpreted through his/her ideas and expectations.

The bureaucratic decision-making process produces an optimal outcome because it increases efficiency and rationality by assigning responsibility for different tasks to different people.

One of the key factors in deciding the direction of global politics has been the rise in "bureaucratic politics."

According to the concept zeitgeist,

What is the explanation given for the surprise terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001?

A national crisis is a potent circumstance that increases a leader's control over foreign policymaking.