Liberalism

What is the core goal of liberalism?

To protect individual life, liberty, and property by limiting political power.

What is the fundamental building block of a just political system according to liberals?

The wellbeing and freedom of the individual.

Why do liberals oppose unchecked political power?

Because it threatens individual liberty and rights.

Why are militaristic foreign policies concerning to liberals?

Military power built for foreign conflicts can also be used to oppress citizens at home.

Why do liberals oppose imperialism and territorial expansion?

Expansion strengthens state power, requires occupation, and threatens liberty.

What is the primary institutional check on power in liberal states?

Free and fair elections.

What is the purpose of elections in liberal theory?

To allow citizens to remove leaders from power.

What is the second major check on power in liberal states?

Separation of powers and checks and balances among branches of government.

What is Democratic Peace Theory?

The idea that democracies are highly unlikely to go to war with one another.

What are the two explanations for Democratic Peace Theory?

Internal restraints on power and mutual perception of legitimacy among democracies.

What evidence supports Democratic Peace Theory?

Statistical analyses and historical case studies.

What is one criticism of Democratic Peace Theory?

There are relatively few historical cases of democracies fighting one another.

What is another criticism of Democratic Peace Theory?

Other factors besides democracy may explain peace.

What is a third criticism of Democratic Peace Theory?

Democracies may still be aggressive toward non-democracies.

What is the liberal world order?

An international system built after World War II based on institutions, cooperation, and rules that restrain state violence.

What are the three pillars of the liberal international order according to Deudney and Ikenberry?

International organizations, economic interdependence through trade, and liberal norms.

How does the United Nations support liberalism?

By facilitating cooperation, diplomacy, and collective action.

How does free trade reduce the likelihood of war according to liberals?

War disrupts economic benefits, making cooperation more profitable.

What is economic interdependence?

A situation where states benefit from mutual trade and economic connections.

What liberal norms are promoted internationally?

Cooperation, democracy, human rights, and rule of law.

What can happen when states violate liberal norms?

They may face sanctions, loss of legitimacy, or international backlash.

What is neoliberal institutionalism?

A liberal theory emphasizing how international organizations promote cooperation.

What is the main idea of neoliberal institutionalism?

States can cooperate when institutions reduce uncertainty and monitor agreements.

Why do international organizations reduce defection?

They provide information and monitor compliance.

What are absolute gains?

Benefits that improve welfare for all participants.

What are relative gains?

Benefits measured in comparison to other states.

Do liberals prioritize absolute or relative gains?

Absolute gains.

Do realists prioritize absolute or relative gains?

Relative gains.

How did the United States demonstrate restraint toward Mexico according to liberal theory?

Domestic institutions and liberal norms limited expansionist policies.

Which liberal norm discouraged U.S. intervention in Mexico?

Anti-imperialism.

What is self-determination?

The right of peoples to determine their own government and political status.

How did public opinion influence U.S. policy toward Mexico?

Public opposition discouraged expansionist actions.

How do institutions and norms work together in liberalism?

Institutions limit power while norms shape acceptable behavior.

What is anti-statism?

The belief that government power should be limited.

Why are economic institutions important in liberalism?

They encourage cooperation through mutual economic benefits.

What is the central argument of liberalism?

Unaccountable concentrations of power threaten liberty and must be restrained through institutions and norms.

International Organisations (IOs)

Organizations that operate at the global level involving states, NGOs, corporations, and hybrid actors. They help govern international issues across borders. They are important in international relations because they shape global cooperation and influence how states interact beyond national boundaries.

International Governmental Organization (IGO)

An organization made up only of sovereign states, created through treaties where member states control funding, voting, and decision-making. In IR, IGOs matter because they are the main tools states use to cooperate and manage global issues like security and trade.

United Nations (UN)

A global IGO founded in 1945 with almost universal membership, designed to maintain peace, security, and cooperation among states. It is important in IR because it is the main platform for global governance and collective decision-making among states.

UN General Assembly

The most democratic UN body where all member states have one vote. It allows states to discuss global issues equally. In IR, it shows how international cooperation works even between unequal states.

UN Security Council

The most powerful UN organ responsible for international peace and security, with five permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China). In IR, it is important because it can authorize sanctions and military action, showing how power is concentrated among major states.

Permanent Members of the Security Council

The five powerful states (US, UK, France, Russia, China) with veto power in the UN Security Council. They are important in IR because they show how global decision-making is dominated by great powers.

UN Peacekeepers

International military and police forces contributed by member states to maintain peace in conflict zones. In IR, they show how IGOs rely on state cooperation rather than having their own military power.

Intergovernmental Nature of IGOs

The idea that IGOs are controlled by states, not above them, meaning states can leave or ignore them. In IR, this is important because it shows there is no true global government, only cooperation between sovereign states.

Supranational Organization

An organization that has authority above states in certain areas and can make binding laws. In IR, it is important because it challenges state sovereignty and shows deeper integration between countries.

European Union (EU)

A supranational organization where member states share some sovereignty and accept laws made at the EU level. In IR, it is important because it is the clearest example of supranational governance and challenges traditional state power.

Brexit

The 2016 decision by the UK to leave the European Union. In IR, it shows resistance to supranational authority and debates over national sovereignty vs integration.

Issue-Based IGOs

Organizations focused on a specific global issue such as health, trade, or security (e.g., WHO, INTERPOL). In IR, they matter because they show how cooperation is specialized and problem-driven.

Regional IGOs

Organizations made up of states from a specific region (e.g., ASEAN, African Union). In IR, they matter because they promote regional cooperation and sometimes model themselves after the EU.

Commonwealth of Nations

A group of mostly former British colonies that cooperate on political and economic issues. In IR, it shows how historical colonial ties still shape modern international cooperation.

BRICS

A group of five major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) cooperating on economic and financial issues. In IR, it is important because it represents rising powers challenging Western dominance.

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

An organization that monitors nuclear energy use and reports to the UN. In IR, it matters because it links technical regulation with global security enforcement.

International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs)

Organizations that operate internationally but are not controlled by states (e.g., NGOs, charities, advocacy groups). In IR, they matter because they influence global norms and pressure states.

Greenpeace

An environmental NGO known for direct action protests. In IR, it shows how NGOs raise awareness and influence global environmental policy.

Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders)

An NGO that provides emergency medical aid in crisis zones. In IR, it shows how non-state actors directly impact humanitarian outcomes globally.

Oxfam

A global NGO focused on poverty reduction and development. In IR, it is important because it highlights inequality and global development efforts.

Hybrid Organization

An organization made up of both states and non-state actors like NGOs or experts. In IR, it matters because it shows cooperation between governments and civil society in solving global problems.

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN

A hybrid organization involving governments and NGOs focused on environmental protection. In IR, it shows how environmental governance involves multiple types of actors.

Red Cross Movement

An international NGO providing humanitarian aid during conflicts and disasters. In IR, it is important because it helped establish international humanitarian law (Geneva Conventions).

Geneva Conventions

International laws governing treatment of war victims and civilians. In IR, they are important because they limit state behavior in war and establish humanitarian norms.

International Criminal Court (ICC

A global court that prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity. In IR, it matters because it holds individuals accountable beyond state sovereignty.

Earth Summit (Rio 1992)

A major UN environmental conference that led to key environmental treaties. In IR, it is important because it shows global cooperation on climate and environmental issues.

UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

An international treaty created after the Earth Summit to address climate change. In IR, it shows how global environmental governance is structured through agreements.

Global Governance

The idea that international issues are managed through cooperation between states and organizations rather than a world government. In IR, it explains how order exists without a global state.

State Sovereignty

The principle that states have full authority over their territory without external interference. In IR, it is central because IGOs operate within limits set by sovereign states.

International System

The global structure made up of states, IGOs, NGOs, corporations, and other actors interacting with each other. In IR, it is important because it explains how global politics is organized.

Global Government

The idea of a single authority ruling over all states (does NOT exist today). In IR, it contrasts with global governance to show limits of international cooperation.

Multinational Corporations (MNCs)

Companies that operate in multiple countries. In IR, they matter because they influence global economics and sometimes rival state power.

Civil Society

Non-state actors like NGOs, activists, and organizations representing public interests. In IR, they matter because they shape norms and pressure governments.

Consultative Status (UN)

The ability of NGOs to participate in some UN meetings without being members. In IR, it shows limited but growing NGO influence in global decision-making.