Gov 204

an agreement between two or more states/entities with established guidelines of mutual support that is contractually bound. They are the basis for multi-polarity in an international system

the distribution of power between the branches of government (legislative, judicial, executive)

After the assignation of Archduke Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, AH issued an ultimatum to Serbia (designed to be rejected): submit to inquiry about assassination, suppress anti AH propaganda… On receipt of the ultimatum, Serbia appealed to Russia, (and by extension, her allies France and Britain. Germany, having pledged support to AH was stuck in the conflict. On July 28, 1914, AH declared war on Serbia, beginning WWI.

the secret military society of the Serbian army that was responsible for the assassination of Franz Ferdinand, which started WWI

A system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority.

I. Flaws in Human Nature
II. Flaws in Society
III. International System

Wilhelm was last German emperor. After the assassination of his friend Franz Ferdinand, Wilhelm offered to support Austria-Hungary in crushing the Black Hand, and even sanctioned the use of force by AH Serbia (blank check)

Created the six principles of Political Realism.

Political realism believes that politics, like society in general, is governed by objective laws that have their roots in human nature.

The main signpost of political realism is the concept of interest defined in terms of power, which infuses rational order into the subject matter of politics, and thus makes the theoretical understanding of politics possible. Minimize risk and maximizes benefits.

Realism does not give 'interest defined as power' a meaning that is fixed once and for all, but recognizes that the determining kind of interest varies depending on the political and cultural context in which foreign policy is made.

Political realism is aware of the moral significance of political action. It is also aware of the tension between the moral command and the requirements of successful political action. Realism maintains that universal moral principles cannot be applied to the actions of states in their abstract universal formulation, but that they must be filtered through the concrete circumstances of time and place.

Political realism refuses to identify the moral aspirations of a particular nation with the moral laws that govern the universe.

The political realist maintains the autonomy of the political sphere; he asks "How does this policy affect the power and interests of the nation?" Political realism is based on a pluralistic conception of human nature. The political realist must show where the nation's interests differ from the moralistic and legalistic viewpoints.

Alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Italy, prior to WWI

when nationalism becomes too much; in the case of Germany WW2, hyper-nationalism was a reason for the Germans being so quick to go to war

A group of people who have some combination of common language, culture, religion, history, identity, as well as strong ties to a particular territory. Usually having aspirations for political autonomy. All nations are peoples.

approach to international relations in which the primary actors are states and the central problems are war and the use of force. Thucydides, Otto von Bismark, Morgenthau and Henry Kissinger are all realists.

is a war that is commenced in an attempt to repel or defeat a perceived inevitable offensive or invasion, or to gain a strategic advantage in an impending (allegedly unavoidable) war before that threat materializes.

the ability to retaliate with great nuclear force if attacked first by another country. the importance to this is to be able to secure the nukes from attack to ensure they will still be able to fire. Upon this happening, countries are FAR more deterred from attacking as the cost of war is greater.

asserts that both strength and weakness in national security can be provocative to other nations. If a nation is too strong, this can be provocative since “most means of self-protection simultaneously menace others.”[1] On the other hand, if a nation is too weak, “great dangers arise if an aggressor believes that the status quo powers are weak in capability or resolve"

When an idea fails to percolate into one’s consciousness as a conceivable option

a term in IR that refers to the “suction” of other countries into conflicts due to collective defensive agreements in alliances. See also WWI

refers to a school of thought which believes that nation-states are, or at least should be, concerned first and foremost with absolute gains rather than relative gains to other nation-states.

(Nye) the ability to get someone (a leader, a state, etc. ) to do what you want them to do without the use of bribery or force (situations where the costs of saying no are too high). It requires making the idea sound appealing so individual actors desire to be a part of it. – ex. Pope and Vatican, leading by example (eating brussel sprouts) – How do you measure soft power? → # foreign students studying abroad, immigration, foreign aid…

a defensive military plan/agreement that if one member of the alliance is attacked all will come to help aid that member. This is a particularly connected to chain-ganging.

group of nations agree not to attack each other and to defend each other against an attack from one of the others, if such an attack is made. The principal is that "an attack against one, is an attack against all." – ex. our anarchy and economics simulation strategy

the idea that if Germany is every attacked, Germany must go through Belgium to get to FrANCE; consequences: will insight war with france,

the idea that your reputation follows you. if you choose to not pay back debts, actors wont continually lend money.

costs of trade with another country such as tarrifs, exchange rates, the actual cost of transporting goods, etc.

Current President of Iran

4 star US Army General who commanded the ISAF and has recently been named the next director of the CIA. He’s a boss

believed in insecurity, force, and the means of survival + a constant state of war. Is a realist. Is a skeptic. Thinks that no meaning in IR because no institutions exist to provide order. So there is no sense of community, so no moral rights or duties. To escape from the state of nature where individuals might kill, they must give up freedom to government for protection (balance of power in anarchy to allow order)

top official of the al-Queda terrorist organization who was killed by hellfire missiles on 30 Sept 2011. He is best known for being the first U.S. citizen to be placed on the targeted kill list by the CIA.

a system of international government that is dominated by two main powers with smaller, less influential countries lining the political arena. Example being the Cold War.

an agreement to “defend or help in any way necessary” usually referring to military action in concurrence with an ally (notably Germany’s blank check to Austria-Hungary before WWI)

the belief that offensive strikes in war are the best defense. This idea took over the military doctrine arena prior and during WWI. Emphasized by German, British and French military and civilian leaders.

a political arena where there are >3 political powers and smaller powers. resulting in multiple alliances and the cult of offensive because of the constant fight for each country to remain secure while concerned with 2 other powers of equal might.

a military doctrine of a country

when a state attacks a state of imminent threat.