POLSCI 160 Chapter 11: (11) Commitment Problems
10 Oct 2016
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Commitment problem: when the actors are afraid that one another is not committed to carrying out the bargain. Bargaining explanations have to do with threats. Commitment explanations have to do with promises. Generally occur because conditions change after the deal is signed. Changes in power: if a state becomes more powerful, they will want to revisit the deal, using force if necessary. Changes in preferences: changes in leadership usually lead to this. If an actor believes that the other actor will break a deal, war may be more attractive. There are always deals they prefer to fighting, but only if they know those deals would hold. Commitment issues explain unresolved conflict, not the origin. Persuasion and signaling attempt to convince the target that the threat is credible. Protracted conflict: the parties have not agreed to a settlement, so the conflict remains unresolved in limbo. When there are commitment problems, there is no effective zone of agreement.
