{"id":36399,"date":"2024-10-29T20:38:56","date_gmt":"2024-10-29T20:38:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/questions\/balancing-act-realist-and-domestic-politics-theories-in-the-decision-making-of-the-iraq-war\/"},"modified":"2024-10-29T20:38:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-29T20:38:56","slug":"balancing-act-realist-and-domestic-politics-theories-in-the-decision-making-of-the-iraq-war","status":"publish","type":"questions","link":"https:\/\/www.writemyessays.app\/blog\/questions\/balancing-act-realist-and-domestic-politics-theories-in-the-decision-making-of-the-iraq-war\/","title":{"rendered":"“Balancing Act: Realist and Domestic Politics Theories in the Decision-Making of the Iraq War”"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
\n

<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Question. <\/span><\/span>The Iraq War is costly for the United States, just as any war is costly for any state. Critics argue that the United States fought the war to satisfy influential domestic interests. In the meantime, President George W. Bush argued that U.S. national interests would be furthered by bringing democracy to the countries of the Middle East. He saw the invasion of Iraq and other policies designed to encourage democratization as vital to bringing stability to that region and reducing threat of terrorist attacks on the United States.<\/span><\/p>\n

Evaluate the debates regarding the decision making of the Iraq War by using the following two theories. On the one hand, the realists argue that foreign policies are selected to further national interests, taking into account the resources and power of the state relative to others. On the other hand, the theories arguing that domestic politics matters suggest that foreign policies are collectively determined by the interests of specific individuals or groups within society or by the private interests of individuals who occupy positions of power in the state.<\/span><\/p>\n

Be sure to offer concrete examples and illustrations to support your arguments wherever possible, referring to course materials such as readings, lecture notes you have taken, and the film. In other words, you must make and support <\/span><\/span>your <\/span><\/span>argument with logical explanation and empirical evidence referring to course materials.<\/span><\/p>\n

No matter how you answer this question, your discussion should at least include the following points:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. \n

    What are the main points of disagreement between Pollack and Mearsheimer\/Walt? To what extent are they relying on different theories, different evidence, or different assumptions? Holding aside what you now know about the Iraq War (that is, trying to put yourself in the position of authors writing before the war), which argument do you find more convincing, and why? Also, discuss how you think Brands would evaluate the debate between Pollack and Mearsheimer\/Walt?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  2. \n

    Read the transcript of Bush\u2019s remarks on Iraq: \u201cWe Will Finish the Work of the Fallen\u201d (posted on Canvas under \u201cShort Paper Assignments\u201d). How is the democratic peace theory evident in Bush\u2019s view? Evaluate the main theoretical arguments and empirical evidence for and against the existence of the democratic peace. [Note: A good answer will cite both FLS, pp. 175\u2013187, and Russett, <\/span><\/span>Grasping the Democratic Peace<\/span>.]<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  3. \n

    Read the article by Krugman, \u201cWaggy Dog Stories\u201d (posted on Canvas under \u201cShort Paper Assignments\u201d). Was the Iraq War a result of leaders \u201cwagging the dog\u201d? How do politicians<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n

    1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n
    \n
    \n

    evaluate the rally effect (and diversionary incentives) and the political costs of war? How do elections affect use of force? [Note: A good answer will cite FLS, pp. 152\u2013162.]<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. \n

      Read Zaller, \u201cElite Leadership of Mass Opinion: New Evidence from the Gulf War,\u201d and watch the documentary film, <\/span><\/span>\u201cBuying the War\u201d <\/span><\/span>(available at the Hamon Arts Library AV Collection: call number IDD03283; also available at: <\/span><\/span>http:\/\/vimeo.com\/33033186<\/span>). Discuss how public opinion influenced the decision-making processes and outcomes in the Iraq War.<\/span><\/p>\n

      To answer this question, evaluate the following statement: \u201cThe United States is hampered in its foreign policy by the fact that its leaders must be responsive to a public that has no understanding of the realities of international politics. Public opinion constrains the United States from using military force effectively when it is in our interest to do so. And public opinion compels our leaders to use military force where we have no interests at stake. American foreign policy failures are thus due to the ignorance and inattentiveness of its people.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

    2. \n

      Read the article by Kramer, \u201cDeals with Iraq Are Set to Bring Oil Giants Back\u201d (posted on Canvas under \u201cShort Paper Assignments\u201d). Did the United States fight the Iraq War for the oil companies? To what extent do you think the Iraq War was caused by the attempt to satisfy a military-industrial complex or special interest groups? To avoid the fallacy of inferring influence from gain, what counterfactual question (i.e., \u201cwould policy have been different without the interest group?\u201d) would you establish? [Note: A good answer will cite FLS, pp. 162\u2013175.]<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      While discussing the above points, you should clearly link your discussions to your overall argument how the decision making of the Iraq War could be explained with the realism and the \u201cdomestic politics matters\u201d arguments.<\/span><\/p>\n

      You have to discuss at least FIVE of the following terms and <\/span><\/span>their significances <\/span><\/span>in international relations:<\/span><\/p>\n

      Accountability
      Coercive diplomacy
      Democratic peace
      Deterrence
      Diversionary incentive
      Elite cue
      Incomplete information (uncertainty) Interest groups
      Military-industrial complex Preemptive war
      Preventive war
      Public opinion
      Rally effect<\/span><\/p>\n

      Please underline these terms every time they appear on your essay.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

       <\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
      \n

      2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

      \n
      \n
      \n

      In writing these essays, you should remember that a good essay has several features:<\/span><\/p>\n

        \n
      1. \n

        a)  Make sure that your essay has:<\/span><\/p>\n