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International Relations of Foreign Policy - Lecture Notes | POLI 202, Study notes of International Relations

Exam 2 Study Guide Material Type: Notes; Professor: Krasner; Class: Intl Relations (1st 7 wks); Subject: Political Science; University: Baton Rouge Community College; Term: Spring 2010;

Typology: Study notes

2009/2010

Uploaded on 12/09/2010

justinf87
justinf87 🇺🇸

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International Relations Exam II Study Guide Justin Forbes
Define the following:
Foreign Policy -- A nation’s external goals, the values that give rise to those objectives, and the
strategies used to achieve these goals.
Foreign Economic Policy
National Security Policy
Foreign Policy Orientations
Isolationist – withdraw from foreign affairs U.S. during federal period and up to WWII
Internationalist-
Globalist-
Dimensions of Foreign Policy
Enduring Principles-
Initiatives for Change-
Foreign Policy Decision Making
Processes of Decision-
Substance of Policy-
Theoretical Objectives
Explains single events
Sequences of events
Patterns over time
Major Sources of Foreign Policy Making – Explanations do not focus on single factors but multiple
sources at all levels of analysis. Foreign policy is not simply the choice of leaders. For leaders, the range
of choices and specific choices are conditioned by the following:
Kegley Framework – provides clues as to where to look as to why a foreign policy decision is made. All
become considerations that shape the calculations, perceptions, and choices of individuals.
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International Relations Exam II Study Guide Justin Forbes Define the following:

  • Foreign Policy -- A nation’s external goals, the values that give rise to those objectives, and the strategies used to achieve these goals. Foreign Economic Policy National Security Policy Foreign Policy Orientations  Isolationist – withdraw from foreign affairs U.S. during federal period and up to WWII  Internationalist -  Globalist - Dimensions of Foreign Policy  Enduring Principles-Initiatives for Change- Foreign Policy Decision Making  Processes of Decision-Substance of Policy- Theoretical Objectives  Explains single events  Sequences of events  Patterns over time Major Sources of Foreign Policy Making – Explanations do not focus on single factors but multiple sources at all levels of analysis. Foreign policy is not simply the choice of leaders. For leaders, the range of choices and specific choices are conditioned by the following: Kegley Framework – provides clues as to where to look as to why a foreign policy decision is made. All become considerations that shape the calculations, perceptions, and choices of individuals.

Global – global agenda -- what is it? What are the key issues all countries must address?Globalization – what is it?  How – changing levels of international trade  Global warming/environmental  Disease  International terrorism  Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction International – limits some foreign policy choices but facilitates others. Foreign policy strategy is heavily influenced by what is going on in the world -- the actions of nation- states in response to achieving their national interests. States and individuals react to and act upon the actions of others states based on their perceptions of history and current international conditions.  Polarity – distribution of power  Type of system/country’s place in the system  Pattern of Military alliances (NATO for instance)  Country’s position and capabilities is it a great power, emerging superpower, intermediate power, or lesser power.  Geopolitics – theory that states’ foreign policies are determined by their location, natural resources, and physical environment.  Military capabilities – though states have similar goals their ability to realize them vary according to their military capabilities. Consider the United States or Russia versus Sudan or Columbia.  State Characteristics or Domestic Sources of Foreign Policy Decisions  Type of government – Democratic versus authoritarian What factors influence the decision of U.S. Presidents? Congress? Public opinion? Elections?  Domestic politics or political competition among political parties or ethnic groups shapes choices  Democratic Peace Theory – although democratic states wage wars they do not wage wars against each other.  Economy – level of economic development and growth Individuals – Leaders

What is cognitive dissonance?Bounded rationality? (capacity to choose best option constrained by human and organizational choices)  Muddling through (proceeding through trial and error ) Other factors impeding rational choice Bureaucratic Model of Decision Making

  • Leaders must seek information and advice through policy making institutions.
  • Choices based on bargaining and compromises among competing government agencies – compromises and limits rational choices.

Groupthink? -- Tendency of members of a group to yield to the desire for consensus or

unanimity at the cost of considering alternative courses of action. Group-think is said to be the

reason why intelligent and knowledgeable people make disastrous decisions. Uncritical

acceptance of uniformity

Foreign Policy Instruments What are they? Define? Diplomacy Bilateral negotiations Multilateral negotiations Foreign Aid

Military power What is: Deterrence – psychological manipulation (Threat of inflicting unacceptable damage on an aggressor) refers to nuclear weapons; government threatens and backs that threat with a sizeable nuclear stockpile if attacked so that aggressors are deterred if they do not want to suffer great damage. Containment – Cold War strategy -- Containment was expressed through a variety of policies and institutions: economic (aid packages), political and, of course, military. What are the priorities today of U.S. foreign policy? What are the key issues and proposed strategies? Iran Afghanistan Iraq China North Korea