Study Guide for Final Exam (Terms)

Question 1

Game

Answer 1

Opportunity to gain utility through strategic interaction with at least one other ‘player.’ (A chance to realize utility through strategic interaction).

Question 2

Zero-sum Game

Answer 2

A game in which one player’s loss is another player’s gain (technically, this is a constant-sum game).

Question 3

Strategy

Answer 3

A way of playing a game; a plan of action (covering all contingencies)

Question 4

Outcome

Answer 4

The consequences of a plan of action, given what other players do.

Question 5

Expected Utility

Answer 5

The value one gains (or loses) from the probable outcomes of a particular strategy.

Question 6

Dominant Strategy

Answer 6

A strategy that is preferable to any other strategy (e.g., it brings better outcomes) regardless of what the other player does. Always maximizes a player’s utility.

Question 7

Iterated Game

Answer 7

A game that is played more than once.

Question 8

Pure strategy

Answer 8

Playing only one strategy. Single-play games have pure strategies.

Question 9

Mixed strategy

Answer 9

Playing different strategies with a specific probability. Multiple-play (iterated) games may have either pure or mixed strategies.

Question 10

Pareto Optimum

Answer 10

An outcome that is better for all players in a game; one that is collectively perferable.

Question 11

Nash Equilibrium

Answer 11

A predicted outcome (solution) in a game, when neither “player” wishes to change its strategy unilaterally.

Question 12

Solution

Answer 12

The rational outcome of strategic interaction.

Question 13

Instumental rationality

Answer 13

A decison is good (rational) if it is made using a good decision process, carefully considering cost and benefits.

Question 14

Value rationality

Answer 14

A decision is good (rational) if it leads to a good outcome

Question 15

Allison’s Model II

Answer 15

Policy is the result of choices that serve the interests of bureaucracies and their need for standard operating procedures.

Question 16

Allison’s Model III

Answer 16

Policy is the result of choices that serve the interest of various political players within the government.

Question 17

Expected utility

Answer 17

The value of an outcome multiplied by the probability that it will actually happen.

Question 18

Transitive preferences

Answer 18

If the value of one outcome is greater than a second, and the value of the second is greater than a third, then the value of the first must be greater than the third.

Question 19

Groupthink

Answer 19

Irving Janis’s argument that excessive cohesiveness may prevent advisors from giving a leader sound, critical advice.

Question 20

The war trap

Answer 20

an apparent tendency towards war when an emerging power threatens to displace an existing great power as a regional or international hegemon.

Question 21

Strong state

Answer 21

A situation in which the government exerts a great deal of control over society.

Question 22

Weak state

Answer 22

A state that has difficulty fulfilling basic tasks, such as defending territory, making and enforcing rules, collecting taxes, and managing the economy.

Question 23

Spatial voting

Answer 23

Politicians (and candidates) take positions that maximize their support from voters, not necessarily positions that reflect what most voters want.

Question 24

Lowi’s laws

Answer 24

Presidents cannot achieve all of their promises; much of their effort is devoted to creating the appearance of success.

Question 25

Nation

Answer 25

a level of social organization grouping people, often with reference to common qualities (language, culture, religion, etc.) for the purpose of representation by a state.

Question 26

State

Answer 26

a territorial government acting to defend sovereignty on behalf of a national people

Question 27

Cardinal utility

Answer 27

Utility is represented by its actual perceived value.
* $1, $2, $3, etc.

Question 28

Ordinal utility

Answer 28

The value to a person of gains or lossses from a given outcome, expressed as a rank ordering (i.e., 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc.).

Question 29

Inferior strategy

Answer 29

A strategy that always makes a player worse off than some other strategy.

Question 30

Compellence

Answer 30

A strategy of trying to get another player to change his/her strategy.

Question 31

Deterrence

Answer 31

A strategy of trying to prevent another player from doing something that would reduce your own utility.

Question 32

Positive-sum game

Answer 32

A situation in which all players can benefit even if some benefit more than others (total of gains and losses is greater than zero).

Question 33

Parametric decisons

Answer 33

the outcome depend on one’s choice, also taking account risk and uncertainty. (utility theory)

Question 34

Strategic decisons

Answer 34

the outcome depends not only on factors like risk but also on the choices of another actor(s) (game theory)