Question 1

The concept of groupthink suggests that the __________ the decision making affect(s)the outcome.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The concept of groupthink suggests that the...

Question 2

One of the state characteristics that comparative foreign policy studies focus on is __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of One of the state characteristics that comparative...

Question 3

Citizens of a given ethnic background are among a number of __________ that might form to lobby governments on foreign policy.

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are organizations that seek to influence public policy, and citizens of a particular ethnic background may form an interest group to advocate for their views on foreign policy issues that affect their community. Propagandists are individuals who spread biased or misleading information to influence public opinion, and pollsters are professionals who conduct surveys to measure public opinion. Government leaders are individuals who hold leadership positions within a government and may already be responsible for shaping foreign policy.

Question 4

Which of the following is a way in which the components of the military-industrial complex influence foreign policy decision making?

Accepted Answer

By spreading out weapons projects into many constituencies, the military-industrial complex can influence foreign policy by creating economic dependencies and political support for military spending and policies.

Question 5

Groupthink is the tendency for groups to reach decisions without accurately __________ since individual members tend to go along with ideas they think the others support.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when individuals prioritize conformity over critical evaluation of ideas, leading to a collective decision that may not consider all potential consequences. Therefore, accurately assessing consequences is essential to avoiding groupthink. The other answer choices (utilizing reverse psychology, controlling the agenda, and applying internal dissonance) do not directly address the issue of group decision-making without critical evaluation.

Question 6

What aspect of a democracy makes the justification of effort especially prevalent?

Accepted Answer

In a democracy, politicians are held accountable by the electorate, which means that they need to constantly justify their decisions and the effort they put into their job in order to maintain their position. This makes the justification of effort especially prevalent in democracies.

Question 7

The part of the population that stays informed about international issues is called the __________ public.

Accepted Answer

The term "attentive" best describes the group of people who stay informed about international issues. This suggests a high level of interest and focus on international events and news. The other options do not fully capture this level of engagement or focus on international news. International may include people from other countries, expert may not necessarily imply a high level of interest or attention to news, and savvy suggests a level of knowledge or expertise rather than attention to news.

Question 8

Governments survive by relying on __________.

Accepted Answer

Governments ultimately rely on the legitimacy they hold in the eyes of their people to maintain power. Legitimacy is the belief that the government has the right to rule, either through democratic elections or other forms of political power. While governments may use force or persuasion to maintain control, the foundation of their power ultimately rests on the legitimacy they hold. Bribes may be used in corrupt governments, but they are not a sustainable or ethical means of maintaining power.

Question 9

Diversionary foreign policy is __________.

Accepted Answer

Diversionary foreign policy involves the adoption of a foreign policy to distract public attention from domestic issues. This is often done to rally public support around the government during a crisis, such as an economic downturn or political scandal. Option A describes signaling strategies, Option C describes public opinion management, and Option D describes foreign policy lobbying.

Question 10

When students exhibit a tendency not to challenge a professor's arguments because they assume he or she is an expert and knows better,it could be an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

This behavior is an example of cognitive bias, where students might not challenge a professor's arguments due to an inherent bias that assumes the professor, as an expert, is always correct. This is a cognitive process where judgment is skewed because of a presumption of authority or expertise.

Question 11

Which statement is an element of prospect theory?

Accepted Answer

The statement "Decision makers use a reference point for comparison" is an element of prospect theory. The reference point serves as a baseline for the decision maker to evaluate the value of potential gains and losses. This is a key concept in prospect theory, which explains how people make decisions under uncertainty and risk. Among the other options, A describes the motive of risk aversion, B refers to empathy, and C refers to strategic assessment, but none of them directly relate to prospect theory.

Question 12

Public support for involvement in a war __________.

Accepted Answer

Public support for involvement in a war typically starts high due to initial feelings of patriotism and national unity, but over the long run, as the realities of war set in and the cost in human lives and resources becomes clearer, public support tends to decrease. This pattern has been observed in many historical conflicts, such as the Vietnam War and the Iraq War.

Question 13

Bureaucrats in the foreign policy decision-making process pursue __________.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucrats in the foreign policy decision-making process seek to achieve national goals set by the government they serve. While groupthink or political domination may occur, their primary focus is on advancing the interests of their country. Democratization is not directly related to the role of bureaucrats in foreign policy decision-making.

Question 14

Which president warned of the growing influence of the military-industrial complex in his farewell speech?

Accepted Answer

In his farewell speech on January 17, 1961, President Dwight D. Eisenhower warned of the growing influence of the military-industrial complex, which he defined as the relationship between the government, the military, and defense contractors.

Question 15

What did Harry Truman's sign "The buck stops here" illustrate about his role in foreign policy decision making?

Accepted Answer

The sign "The buck stops here" means that Truman took ultimate responsibility for foreign policy decisions, indicating that they were ultimately his responsibility.

Question 16

During the Cuban Missile Crisis,members of the Defense Department were unwilling to implement a military solution,while some diplomatic officials favored a preemptive military strike.This situation illustrates the argument that __________.

Accepted Answer

The situation during the Cuban Missile Crisis suggests that the preferences of individual members of a bureaucratic agency may vary and may not always align with the overall goals of their organization. This indicates that the goal of a bureaucratic agency does not always help predict the preferences of its members.

Question 17

Public opinion __________.

Accepted Answer

Public opinion has greater force in democracies than in authoritarian governments as democracies are based on the principle of people's participation in decision making. In democracies, public opinion plays a significant role in shaping policies and decisions, whereas in authoritarian governments, the ruling elite have full control over decision-making processes and public opinion is not given much importance.

Question 18

Which statement regarding interest groups is correct?

Accepted Answer

Interest groups are formed for the purpose of influencing the outcome of political issues. They are typically made up of individuals or organizations that share a common interest or concern and work together to advocate for their cause. While some interest groups may have significant funding, not all do, and their influence on foreign policy varies widely. Option A is incorrect, as interest groups may have limited funding and resources. Option C is incorrect, as interest groups are typically focused on national or state-level issues, rather than neighborhood issues. Option D is incorrect, as foreign policy is generally the domain of national governments, rather than interest groups.

Question 19

Some scholars believe that former secretary of state John Foster Dulles had such great personal prejudice against communism that he always assumed the worst of Soviet decision makers.This is an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Affective bias refers to the influence of emotions and personal feelings on decision-making, which aligns with Dulles' personal prejudice against communism affecting his assumptions about Soviet decision makers.

Question 20

With respect to legislatures playing a role in deciding whether to use military force,__________.

Accepted Answer

Most legislators have little knowledge of foreign affairs, making it difficult for them to make informed decisions about the use of military force.

Quiz 4: Foreign Policy

The concept of groupthink suggests that the __________ the decision making affect(s) the outcome.