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Belief Systems and Information Search in International Relations: An Experimental “Information Board” Study. David L. Rousseau Department of Political Science University of Pennsylvania 17 November 2003. Threat Perception In International Relations. Realism Liberalism Constructivism.
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Belief Systems and Information Search in International Relations: An Experimental “Information Board” Study David L. Rousseau Department of Political Science University of Pennsylvania 17 November 2003
Threat Perception In International Relations • Realism • Liberalism • Constructivism Do both ideas and material factors matter? If so, can you determine the relative power of each?
No Q1: Do we have different identities? High None Yes No Q2: Do they have the capacity to hurt my country? Yes Medium Low Q2: Do they have the capacity to hurt my country? Yes No Q3: Do our countries have a history of armed conflict? No Low Medium Yes Q3: Do our countries have a history of armed conflict? Yes No None High Yes Q1: Do we have different identities? No Sequential Decision Strategies Version A Version B
Hypotheses (+) H1: Strong Realist Beliefs Threat Perception (+) H2: Strong Realist Beliefs Seek Material Information (+) H3: Strong Realist Beliefs Seek Balance of Forces Info (+) H4: Non-Realist Beliefs Seek Regime Type Info (+) H5a: Strong Realist Beliefs Exit After Balance of Forces Info (+) H5b: Non-Realist Beliefs Exit After Regime Type Info (+) H6: Averaging Decision Rule Number of Panels Viewed (-) H7: Sequential Decision Rule Updating After the First Panel
Beliefs in International Relations: Liberals vs. Realists • Utility of Military Force • Unilateralism vs. Multilateralism • States: Aggressive vs. Status Quo • Goals: Competing vs. Complementary • Effectiveness of International Organizations • Trustworthiness of States • Equitable vs. Power Maximizing Solutions • Fungibility of Power
Liberal-Realist Index From Survey • 10 Survey Questions Administered Two Weeks Prior • Theoretic Range: -20 to +20 • Mean: -2 • Sensitivity Analysis: ¼, ⅓, and ½
Decision Boards A1: Contain- ment A2: Do Nothing A3: Sanctions A4: Use of Force D1: Political D2: Military D3: Economic D4: Diplomatic From Mintz et al. 1997
Results for H5, H6, and H7 H5a: Reject: Strong Realists do not exit immediately after Power. H5b: Reject: Non-Realists do not exit immediately after Regime Type. H6: Strong Support: Subjects visit the same panels. H7: Weak Support: First panel is important but not decisive.
Problems with Current Study • Need More Pressing Time Constraints • Information Search is Too Manageable • Explore with Non-Computer Format • Remove Radio Buttons From Update Panel • Vary Information Using Split Ballot Design
Conclusions • No Support for Sequential Model • Both Ideas and Material Factors Used in Decision • Interim Report: More Extensive Testing Required