Intro to IS

• anarchy


  it means the absence of a central authority with the ability to make and enforce laws that binds all actors. this is important because it explains why states seek to expand their power and encourages aggressive foreign policy to change the balance of power.
• realism


  it is a theory that shows that because the international system is anarchic a self help system exist and there is a continuous struggle for power. it is important because it explains why states behave how they do and go to war with the mindset the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
• liberalism


  a theory that because of economic interdependence states are discouraged from using force against each other because warfare would treated each others prosperity. its important since it focus on human rights, democracy, free trade and institutions which shape policies to maintain peaceful relationship between states
• constructivism


  social theory that relies on social interactions to explain individual and state's preferences, argues that interests are shaped by non-material factors such as norms, culture, idea. Important since help us analyze more deeply about states and structure of international politics, it gives a more deeper and complex explanation of state's interests which is said to be malleable and can change over time.
• Prisonner's Dilemma


  a game theory that captures the problem of collaboration between two actors or more. it is important as it shows why states have a hard time cooperating and why we have arms race.
• theory


  it is a logical set of statements that explains a phenomenon of interest. it is important because it let's us simplify the complex world and helps explain and predict engagement in international affairs.
• hypothesis


  it is a proposed explanation about a theory. it is important because it let's us make better sense of the problem and helps us analyze real world problems
• correlation


  it is the statistical relationship between 2 or more variables. it is important as it let's measure war and the security dilemma more efficiently.
• interstate and civil war


  an interstate wat is a war in which the main participants are states and a civil war is a war in which the participants are within the same state. they are important because it threatens international security and well being and help us understand political issues to see how they interact.

  and civil war since is usually caused by greed or grievance of a specific group usually due to either ethnic or religious motives, which may lead to national instability with long lasting effects that may require international intervention to resolve and/or recover.

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• security dilemma


  a phenomenon that arises when efforts that states make to defend themselves cause other states to fellless securem it is important because it can lead to arms races and war because of the fear of being attacked which leads to tension and competition for military strength.
• balance of power 


  it is when the military capabilities of states are fairly equal. It is important because it prevents states from becoming too powerful reducing conflict escalation and promotes stable international order.
• security dilemma 


  It is a phenomenon that arises when a state effort to defend itself causes another state to feel less secure. it is important because it can lead to arms race and war because of the fear of being attacked and lead to tension and competition for military strenght.
• incomplete information


  It is a situation in which actors in a strategic interaction lack information about the other actors interest and willingness to fight. This is important because it can makes states feel insecure and create conflict flueling more of the security dilemma and going to war due to miscalculation of wages of war.
• Audience cost


  domestic political penalties that leaders face if they back down from commitments or fail to handle international crisis. It is important because it may lead to political leaders to think carfully before jumping into a war.
• commitment Problem 


  It is the issue that arises from the difficulty to credibly commit to not use force to revise a deal in the future. It is important because it creates uncertainty among states leading to distrust that hider the negotiating process and further agreements.
• Issue Indivisibility 


  It is the problem that goods cannot be adequately divided, that the value of a good diminishes when it is divided. It is important because it creates an all-for-nothing issue that creates obstacles in crisis bargaining.
• preventive war 


  war fought to prevent adversaries from becoming stronger in the future. Important because a state whose power is increasing cannot commit not to exploit that power in future bargaining interactions.
• preemptive war


  A war fought with the anticipation of the other side's imminent attack. Important since it is often a response to imminent threat when there is an existing first-strike advantage which creates incentives to immediately abandon the bargaining table due to fear of attack.
• rally effect


  People's tendency to support one's country government when there is a situation of a dramatic event. Important since it raises nationalism among citizens to defend their territory from other countries.
• Diversionary incentive 


  incentive of political leaders to create international crisis to rally public support at home. Important since starting an international crisis can turn public attention away from international struggles such as political and/or economics, however, in can have more severe consequences because if it gets to war, it will have to pay it’s high cost and worsen international struggle.
• Democratic peace


  The observation that there are fewer wars between mature democratic states. It is important because democratic leaders are more likely to be selective over the wars they choose to fight fostering a more balanced relations
• Alliance

  An alliance is an institution that defends their members in an even t of war. It is important because it creates greater defense, alters attack ,and can formalize a greater sphere of influences
• Protectionism


  It is the imposition of Trade barriers of imported goods. It is important because it is used as a strategic tool for competition & power projection
• Why is it important

  It creates an all for noting issue making state leave the bargaining table