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How Do Observers Assess Resolve?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2019

Joshua D Kertzer ,
Jonathan Renshon  and
Keren Yarhi-Milo
Joshua D Kertzer*
Affiliation:
Department of Government, Harvard University
Jonathan Renshon
Affiliation:
Department of Political Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Keren Yarhi-Milo
Affiliation:
Department of Politics, Princeton University
*
*Corresponding author. Email: jkertzer@gov.harvard.edu
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Abstract

Despite a plethora of theoretical frameworks, IR scholars have struggled with the question of how observers assess resolve. We make two important contributions in this direction. Conceptually, we develop an integrative framework that unites otherwise disconnected theories, viewing them as a set of heuristics actors use to simplify information-rich environments. Methodologically, we employ a conjoint experiment that provides empirical traction impossible to obtain using alternative research designs. We find that ordinary citizens are ‘intuitive deterrence theorists’ who focus to a great extent on capabilities, stakes, signals and past actions in judging resolve. We also find that observers see democracies as less resolved than autocracies (not more), casting doubt on key propositions of democratic credibility theory. Finally, a conceptual replication shows that a group of elite decision makers converge with the US public in how they interpret costly signals, and in viewing democracies as less resolved than autocracies.

Keywords

resolveheuristicsreputationdeterrence theorycostly signals
Type
Article
Information
British Journal of Political Science , Volume 51 , Issue 1 , January 2021 , pp. 308 - 330
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2019

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Kertzer et al. Dataset

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https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/VSVMY7
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