Chapter 11 Self-test questions

. Which of the following best describes the pluralist model of the public opinion/media/foreign policy nexus?

All groups in society have access and representation

All major political parties have access and representation

A select group in society have access and representation

All media outlets have equal access to government sources

. What is the connection between public opinion and the democratic peace thesis according to the Liberal perspective?

There is no connection

Liberal democracies are economically stable due to the role of public opinion

Liberal democracies are war-averse due in part to the constraint of public opinion

The media allows Liberals to control war-hungry publics

. Why, according to the realist perspective, should we oppose the influence of public opinion on US foreign policy?

Foreign policy elites are better placed to make informed decisions

Public opinion is usually misrepresented by the media

Public opinion may be driven by an external power

Foreign policy elites sometimes misinterpret public sentiment

. What is meant by the term 'Vietnam syndrome'?

Foreign policy as a source of popular culture

Anti-War protests

Negative media coverage as an enabler of US foreign policy

Negative media coverage as a constraint on US foreign policy

. What does the case of US intervention in Somalia tell us about the potential impact of media on US foreign policy?

The media has no impact

Media coverage can foster a desire to intervene

Media coverage can foster a desire to withdraw

Both b and c

. What is meant by the term 'CNN effect' in relation to media and foreign policy?

Media coverage always speeds up the response to an issue and changes the way in which the issue is dealt with

Media coverage may speed up the response to an issue, but does not determine the nature of the response

Media coverage speeds up the resolution of an issue

The public become tired of an issue more quickly due to excessive media coverage

. How does the elite model differ from the pluralist characterization of the relationship between media and foreign policy in the US?

Small groups set the media agenda

Small groups represent the wishes of the majority

Elite decision making is heavily influenced by public opinion

None of the above

. What is the 'Almond-Lippman Consensus'?

Public opinion is well-informed and has a major influence on US foreign policy

Public opinion is irrational and has little influence on US foreign policy

Public opinion is irrational but has a major influence on US foreign policy

Public opinion is well informed but has little influence on US foreign policy

. Why is the media a potential source of 'soft power' for the US?

Media technology can act as a 'force-multiplier' for the US military

Media has the power to influence global perceptions of the US via persuasion

Media coverage can improve the foreign policy knowledge of the US President

Both a and b

. Why might new media technologies be considered a challenge to the projection of US power?

The internet and new global media are primarily based outside the US

The internet and new global media provide a forum for anti-US sentiment that can be difficult to counter

The internet and new global media distract the US public from contributing to the US economy

The internet and new global media account for the rise of China

Chapter 11 Self-test questions

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