PSC 116G Chapter Notes - Chapter 5-6: Cognitive Dissonance, Status Quo, Lesson Learned
Document Summary
Chapter 5 state-the government and political system of a country. Foreign policy-policy (actions or statements intended to change behavior or outcomes) aimed at problems outside of the policy-making state"s borders. Rally around the flag effect-the increase in popular support often gained by leaders of a country in times of war. Rational choice theory-a theory that bases explanations of decisions on the assumption that decisions makers have clear goals, calculate the costs of various courses of action, and pick the policy that will best serve their goals. Audience costs-the costs in loss of public support paid by leaders of democracies when they renege on a commitment. Operationalizing-translating a theoretical approach concept into attributes that can be measured. Zone of peace-a group of states that tend not to go to war with each other because they are democratic. State structure-the form and function of state institutions. State strength-the degree to which a state is independent of societal influences.