Concept terms - real life examples

State

An example of a state would be France.

Sovereignty

A principle formalised by the Treaty of Westphalia, recognising that each state holds political authority within its territory.

State

An example of a state would be France.

Sovereignty

A principle formalised by the Treaty of Westphalia, recognising that each state holds political authority within its territory.

Nation

An example includes the Kurdish people, sharing language, culture, and identity across countries.

Imperialism

British empires and European colonisation of Africa during the 19th century, driven by resource extraction.

Anarchy

The UN cannot provide protection if a state is attacked or penalize a state that turns to violence.

Security dilemma

The arms race during the Cold War exemplifies this , increasing insecurity for opposing parties.

Commercial liberalism

The European Union is a successful example, where a common market and shared regulatory framework has not only provided economic benefits but has also minimized historical conflicts among its members e.g. France and Germany.

Power transition

Relations between the US and China reflect this, as China's rapid economic and military growth is challenging the US’s long-established hegemonic role, prompting strategic adjustments from both.

Interstate war

The Gulf War (1990–1991) is an example where Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait prompted military responses.

Democratic peace

Post WW2 Europe exemplified democratic peace, with France and Germany avoiding conflicts and cooperating.

Globalisation

The COVID-19 pandemic highlights globalisation through reliance on international supply chains for vaccines.

Levels of analysis

A framework used in international relations that categorizes the factors influencing state behavior at different levels, including the individual level (psychological or political leaders' decisions), the state level (national interests, government structures, and political systems), and the systemic level (international norms, global power structures, and interactions between states).

Strategic culture

Japan’s pacifist constitution shows a strategic culture shaped by their historical context, including the trauma of war and nuclear devastation, influencing its foreign policy and strategic decisions to prioritize diplomacy and economic cooperation over military engagement.

Norm

The global prohibition of chemical weapons is upheld by the Chemical Weapons Convention.

International institution

Examples include the United Nations, UNSC, and WHO.

Deterrence

NATO's nuclear __ strategy during the Cold War relied on the principle of assured destruction, where the certainty of substantial retaliation, including nuclear strikes, was meant to dissuade the Soviet Union from initiating an attack on NATO members. The effectiveness of deterrence rested not only on military capabilities but also on the psychological manipulation of adversaries, emphasizing the costs of aggression against NATO countries.

Diplomacy

The Good Friday Agreement (1998) ended conflict in Northern Ireland through diplomatic efforts.

Peacekeeping

UN __ missions in Sierra Leone contribute to stabilising post-conflict regions.