POS 364
.docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Arizona State University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
364
Subject
Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
15
Uploaded by clcnwy
June 29
National Security has a slippery slope when being defined because of the changes in history
during the cold war were focused on alliances with which contestants going to go when in
regard to communism. After 9/11 Non-state actors are now a bigger threat changing the theory
of national security. The united states is considered a state, but the Native americans who were
here first don’t completely feel like they are a part of the states because of the illegal acts of the
United States. Nothing fixed or static.
*Non-fixed idea
Security goes beyond military development and aims to affect freedom on fights like economic
well being, climate change, and gender rights
**Brazil protest of public transportation create a destabilization in government security
Constructivism: Challenges theories
Realism: we live in a dangerous world and we need assistance
Neoliberalism Institutionalism: becoming interdependent where one can depend on themselves
before being dependent
Economics: China and US trade is necessary for each other to thrive; China owns US bond
meaning we owe them money
Democratic Peace Theory: Democracies are less likely to go to war *Kant
Constructivism: material factors and other entities have meaning and norms
●
According to the book and lecture, what is national security?
What is traditional security
and how has its meaning evolved?
National Security has a slippery slope when being defined because of the changes in
history during the cold war were focused on alliances with which contestants going to go when
in regard to communism. After 9/11 Non-state actors are now a bigger threat changing the
theory of national security. The united states is considered a state, but the Native americans
who were here first don’t completely feel like they are a part of the states because of the illegal
acts of the United States. Being that national security is neither fixed or static its definition is
always changing.
●
In your own words, what seems to be the differences between a “national policy,”
“strategy,” and “military structure” (p. 41 in ANS)?
National policy, strategy, and military structure need to be in harmony for the perfect state. Even
though they are interdependent on each other they can be much different. What makes them is
the differences in people. Being that the government is for the people there will always be
differences in the three. National policy is what the state wants to be, strategy is where the state
wants to go, and military structure is what the state truly is. Everyone has their personal opinions
of how a government is supposed to be run being that everyone has their respective opinion on
politics.
●
Turning to the article on "Human Security and Constructivism" and the lecture, how does
national security relate to human security?
National security relates to human security in the most primitive of ways. One feels secure when
they are not in a state of nature where chaos can happen anytime. National security makes an
abstract and physical expression of human security. Being that human security is basic needs on
an individual level. National security is based off of security, but is lead by a consensus model of
a population.
●
Drawing upon the book and lecture, what are the different theories (realism, liberalism,
and constructivism) to understand national security? Which is the best or do we need a
mixture?
To understand national security one must also have an understanding of realism, liberalism, and
constructivism. The three theories is what creates debates on international relations that cycle
through broadcast media on a consistent basis. Both realism and liberalism are focused on the
world being in a constant state of anarchy; with the former focused on building power and the
latter with focusing on peace. Why we need to focus more on constructivism is that is focuses on
the idea of humans themselves and creates a better political psychology of are capabilities as the
human race.
●
What is anarchy? How does it play a role in international politics, particularly with the
League of Nations video and what happened to HaileSelassie?
Anarchy is a state of constant chaos where there never can be a victor. International politics had
an extreme duality in the means realism and liberalism. Countries wanted to stop arm races while
others like fascist state actors looked to stockpile arms. Thus, what happend to HaileSelassie, and
the Christian holy land of Ethiopia, showed how even though one is on the side of good it still
doesn’t mean that one is free from the anarchy of the world.
●
The book mentions "national power" (page 14). According to the lecture and book, what
is power?
What is Hans Morgenthau’scontribution? Is it too amorphous and difficult for
us to understand?
I will define “national power” and a synonym to national security. Security goes beyond military
developments. Power can affect freedom on fights like economic well being, climate change,
and gender rights. Power encompases anything and everything in all levels of politics. Hans
Morgenthau made contibutions to the thought process of political realsim and how power is
understood on an international level. Power is not too difficult to understand because it means
maximizing a state's potential at the lowest risk possible.
●
According the book (Increasing Presidential Powers, page 74), presidential powers in
security have grown. How?
With the United States increase in power over the decades so does the presidential power of the
leader of our country. Life and death is in the tongue and with that being said the President is the
great communicator of our country. He is the branch of the government who does not have relay
ideas to others, but finds approval with himself.
●
Reading the interactive link "Key Questions in the Release of Bowe Bergdahl," what
happened?
Does this demonstrate that presidential power is strong in areas of national
security? Does Trump have has much power as Obama?
Bowe Bergdahl decided to run away from his military commitment and seemingly abducted by
the Taliban. President Obama decided to negotiate with the Taliban so that he would be free, but
did not consult with members of congress on this action. Presidential power is very strong in
areas of national security being that president Obama had the power to do this without asking for
the opinion of congress. What is scary about this is that Trump has this power and access to the
world's richest people for his own self gain.
●
Drawing upon the 2017 article “North Korea Showdown,” how is this a "slow motion
Cuban missile crisis?
The reason why it is slow motion is because North Korea is progressively getting better nuclear
technology. When the Soviet Union put missiles in Cuba they were state of the art weapons.
North Korea does not have state of the art capabilities in range and explosion size making them a
slow motion crisis. Regardless their technologies get better every day.
●
Why is Libya and Iraq mentioned? How do they relate to this cirsis
The United States basic bullied Libya and Iraq. North Korea will not stand for the same actions
that we did in the middle east. Being that we were there mainly for the sake of resources North
Korea doesn’t want to lose their resources in the same way. The United States helps form the
terrorist states in these countries and later goes to war with them to make Uncle Sam the hero.
This is North Korea’s biggest fear to lose their country in this mean.
●
Reading the article, what is the best way to deal with this national security issue?
Deal with North Korea without wanting to take their resources and having and ethical means in
intervention. There will always be winners and losers. Equality sometimes truly is not equality.
That is why North Korea is a threat because they are threatened. We need to have empathy of
human security for the people of North Korea and do on to others the way we would do to
ourselves.
July 6
1)
We discussed presidential power previously.
However, drawing upon chapter 5 “Congress”
in American National Security (ANS) and the lecture, why is the U.S. Congress so reluctant to
get involved in national security despite its “formidable array of tools” (page 103)? What are
Congressional leaders interested in?
It dates back to when the King of England in regards to the American revolution. The founding
father saw that it is important that one branch no be more powerful than another. Congress has
the most powerful position being that it controls the power of the purse. Where the money goes
is where the institution goes. This is why congress reacts the motions set up already by the
President. Being that the President represents a certain political party congress is focused on their
respective part in regards advancement of higher offices in representing their party.
2)
Reading chapters 6 and 10 in ANS and listening to the lecture, how has the decision-making
process become more complex? What is "Departmentalism, Parochialism, and Turf" (still chapter
10, page 213) and the bureaucratic politics model?
The decision-making process in United State politics has become more complex being that
decisions are outside that of the individual themselves. The individual represents a departmental
program that they pledge their allegiance to. This representation of these departmental leaders
creates parochialism in defense of their political turf. This bureaucratic political model is what
makes political executives make decisions so that they may literally protect their turf
3)
Drawing upon the lecture and chapters in American National Security (ANS), what is
diplomacy and how was it important in the 1970s with China?
Diplomacy relates to international relations between countries that are represented by their
respective diplomats. In the case of China in the 1970s President Nixon did a sound job in
representing the United States as a diplomat. China wanted the United States to acknowledge
that the country had control of Taiwan. Nixon agreement to remove troops from Taiwan overall
helped relations in regards to the United States and Soviet Union possibly ending a nuclear war.
4)
Both chapter 11 in ANS and the lectures mention soft power.
What is this? Is it a useful tool
for national security?
Hard power is seen as military force while this is important it’s counterpart is much more
important. Soft power is built off of attraction of what the country is. We represent a country of
liberty and we want these countries to like us because of who we are. It is part of our national
security policy where we share cultural exchanges to show how impressive and resilient we are
as Americans. Soft power keeps healthy relationships in regards to our policies and build
programs like the peace corps.
5)
Reading chapter 18 in ANS (specifically, the “Rise of China” on page 378) and watching the
short video on Mearsheimer, how might the theory realism (look back at lecture 1 and the
readings in ANS if need be) respond to China’s rise?
The theory of realism in regards to China’s rise explains how pressure makes diamonds. In east
asia there has been a history of wars since the dawn of man. Japan had a brutal invasion of China
in WWII and had to bounce back. The massive attacks on China made it into the major power it
is today. The theory of realism would state that military and economic power of China was
expected for China to continue its survival.
6)
In chapter 12 in ANS, the authors highlight the rewards and risks of economic integration.
What are the arguments? What would a neoliberal institutionalist believe? Can economic
integration reduce conflict?
The rewards of economic integration allows for specialization for each country which enhances
the productivity of the world economy overall. Economic integration creates a move advanced
world overall. This also creates stability between countries because everyone gets a piece of the
economic pie. The problem with integration is that it can put economies on a bubble. Emerging
markets like Brazil are rising fast while the United States is falling further into trade deficits.
Both positive and negative movements are volatile in economic integration and are easily
susceptible to a crash. Economic integration can be somewhat of a paradox.
7.) In the article “Obama lifts US embargo on lethal arms sales to Vietnam,” how is diplomacy
and counter-balancing employed to real-life policy?
In the case of arm sales to Vietnam diplomacy and counter-balancing are employed to real life-
policy being that it displays the soft power of our democratic policies. Our policies represent our
democratic values and ending the embargo represents our soft power. This normalization is seen
as an ending to much of the United States related cold war drama. When looking closer This is
used to stop certain strategies of China. This was a great move in part on the United States for
both their soft and hard power.
8.) Turning to Lecture 1.5 (North Korea), what is Trump's biggest issue with North Korean,
ICBMs and the miniaturization of nuclear capabilities?
North Korea has observed what we have done to countries like Libya where we tell them to
disarm and then invade. What they have learned is that the United States cannot be trusted in
regards to disarming. North Korea could become allies under China and start a war against the
United States. Trump's biggest issues is the North Korean ICBMs and the miniaturization of
nuclear capabilities can start a world war.
9.) How is North Korea, according to the lecture, being a "rational actor"? Do you agree?
North Korea is fighting for its survival and I do agree that it is being a rational actor. I do not
agree with the ideologies that North Korea may have, but never the less they are fighting for
survival. Similar to Cuba, North Korea is threatened by the United States over powering them in
both soft and hard power. Cuba asked the Soviets for help because of this so that they have the
option to strike back. The irrational building of nuclear weapons is rational when the United
States can shoot weapons at you at any time.
1)
Turning to the video NSA Chief Grilled and the documentary
Obama at War
, why do you
think Congress suddenly focused on the NSA and why would Obama seek Congressional
approval for more intervention in the Middle East?
Does public opinion push Congressional
action?
Allegations began to come out that the NSA had been spying on not only the community, but on
congress as well. Edward Snowden disclosed his knowledge of the NSA spy program and felt
that as an American he should tell his fellow citizens that they were being infringed upon their
rights. This information being given to the general public made Congress immediately give their
attention to the NSA leaked information and public opinion helped push them to do so. Thus,
Barack Obama seeked congressional approval in regards to intervention in the Middle East to
build trust.
2)
Watching the whole documentary
Obama at War
, does presidential power play the most
important role? But are there any other influences on national security? How may the Trump
Administration be doing something different or is it just the same?
No presidential power may be the ultimate world power, but it is not play the most important role
in regard to national security. The president can be seen as a CEO of a major company. If the
major company does something unethical they only fire the CEO and continue to thrive as a
business just as BP did with its oil spills. Other major influences come from intelligence agencies
like the CIA who control the outcome of many actions in regards to national security. The Trump
Administration can do things to make national security different, but overall it's is organizations
like the CIA who control national security.
3)
What did the fall of Mosul mean? Was there a plan according to General Martin Dempsey?
Did we end up failing in Iraq given the rise of ISIS and Middle East instability?
The fall of Mosul meant that the Middle East still is facing instability as it has since before I was
even born. According to General Martin Dempsey there was no counter plan against the fall of
Mosul. Without a doubt we failed Iraq. The United State government assisted in the arming of
ISIS and then had no plan in case the forces they armed chose to use the weapons for another
means than they were told. Now all are work in Iraq seems like pointless being that Syria was the
main worry from the beginning in regard to the second Iraq war.
4)
According to the lecture, is it wise for industrial powers to always use military force? Why or
why not?
Industrial power is very important in regards to national security. If someone has a way to harm
you one must have a way to defend themselves from such harm. This endless cycle is like a
parasite in regards to national relations. That is why it is not always a great idea to use industrial
power. It is important to use soft power as well. A country must show why they should be liked
without the use of force. Countries should envy the democracy of the United States and not is
arsenal of guns, jets, explosives, and war ships.
5)
In ANS chapter 8, how has civil-military relations developed? How do Donald Rumsfeld and
Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki play pivotal roles?
Civil-military relations developed need of military to execute policies in regards to war. Post-
cold war military relations become overly saturated after the end of the cold and influence was
overpowering.
What Donald Rumsfeld aimed to do was put more power back into civilian
control. Donald Rumsfeld believed that fewer troops were needed in regards to the Iraq
insurgency while army chief of staff Eric Shinseki believed that more troops were needed. The
two played pivotal roles in how democratic political control guides military policiy.
6)
What is the purist and fusionist schools of thought?
The purist schools of thought means purely military thought from the most basic of point of
views. The ideas of the purist confines him or herself into the ideologies of what would be
considered essential military aspects. Those from the pursit school should not be asked questions
in regards to politics and economics. While the fusionist school of thought sys otherwise.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help