POLSCI 160 Lecture Notes - Lecture 10: Political Question
Document Summary
Costs judged by the relevant domestic groups that pay the prices. Has been and continues to be important. More powerful side wins in 59% of wars, so other factors than raw military power determines which side wins. National motivation, important of stakes, willingness to suffer costs. National capabilities come from people of a country and what they produce. Political capacity: a govts ability to penetrate and extract resources from society. Contingent compliance: easier to raise capabilities when the populace complies w their govts demands. Govts ability to mobilize and use military power varies w the situation. Loss of strength gradient: harder when far. Third principle: people are the foundation of national power because. Institutions can make a state stronger internationally by making it easier to raise capabilities and by increasing credibility and commitment. During peace, states rarely commit more than 5%
