Politics Unit 1

Power

The ability of political actors to influence the actions of others and achieve desired outcomes.

Legitimacy

The extent to which the authority and uses of power by political actors are considered appropriate and justified.

Authority

Power that is recognised as legitimate.

Participation

Activities through which people express political preferences, such as voting, protests, petitions, contacting MPs or joining parties.

Popular sovereignty

The legitimacy of the state is created by the will of the people, who are the source of all political power.

Parliamentary sovereignty

Parliament is the supreme law‑making body in the political system.

Federalism

A system where powers and responsibilities are divided between a national government and state governments.

Responsible government

Executive government is drawn from, and accountable to, the legislature; held accountable through parliament.

Separation of powers

Power to make, enforce and interpret laws is divided between Parliament, Executive and Judiciary to prevent concentration of power.

Political interests

The goals or motivations of political actors in pursuing outcomes.

Political perspectives

Value‑based or ideological viewpoints shaping how actors interpret political issues.

Political significance

The importance or impact of an event, actor or decision in politics.

Political stability

The extent to which political systems remain consistent and orderly.

Political change

Transformation in political systems, institutions or behaviour.

State

A political entity with a permanent population, defined territory and recognised sovereignty.

Nation

An ethnic group with shared language and culture but no defined territory.

Nation‑state

A state that is also a nation; some states are nations, but not all nations are states.

Sovereignty

Legitimate or widely recognised ability to exercise effective control of a territory within recognised borders; primary organising principle of global politics, providing states with the ability to represent their territorial entity within the international community.

Internal sovereignty

Absolute autonomy over domestic affairs such as taxes, law, order and human rights.

External sovereignty

Control over foreign policy, defence and international representation.

Principle of non‑intervention

Foreign states agree not to interfere in the domestic affairs of others.

Global actor

Any individual or organisation that plays a role in global politics, including states and non‑state actors.

Intergovernmental organisation (IGO)

Organisation made of states, e.g. UN, IMF, ICC.

Non‑state actor (NSA)

Actors not belonging to states, e.g. NGOs, terrorist movements, religious organisations.

Transnational corporation (TNC)

Corporations operating across borders.

United Nations (UN)

IGO with 193 member states aiming to maintain peace, cooperation and human rights.

European Union (EU)

27‑state economic and political union with a single market and supranational institutions.

cosmopolitanism

Cosmopolitanism reflects a view that all global actors should cooperate to address shared goals.  

National Interest

The goals and objectives that a nation considers important for its security, economy, and overall well-being, often guiding its foreign policy. (realism)

realism

The ideology that every actor should prioritise its own self-interests above all else. Any cooperation made by states with other global actors is only to further their own national interests.

idealism

policy is influenced primarily through ideological principle