POLI-203 Midterm Exam

Globalization

The complex web of different cultures and societies that can threaten local cultures and traditions.

Hegemony

The dominance of one culture or group over others, often leading to the loss of unique local cultures.

Cultural Hegemony

The cultural dominance of a diverse society by the ruling class, resulting in a more homogenous global culture.

Stretching

The wider reach of cultural influences across different parts of the world due to globalization.

Intensification

The increasing interconnectedness of cultures and economies, enhancing their mutual influence.

Accelerating Pace

The rapid development of new inventions driven by patents and copyrights.

Developing/Deepening

The growing awareness of being part of a larger global system.

Cosmopolitanism

The idea of being a global citizen and understanding one's role in the world.

International Relations

A perspective that emphasizes the interactions and relationships between countries.

Global Relations

A viewpoint that sees the world as a single interconnected entity.

Skeptics

Those who view globalization as a result of imperialism and hegemony.

Globalists

Individuals who see globalization as a separate process from political influences.

Transformationalists

Thinkers who advocate for moving beyond traditional state-centric views in understanding globalization.

Crisis of Globalization

The potential threats to the global order, including populist revolts and great power rivalries.

Great Power Rivalry

The competition between superpowers that can disrupt international cooperation.

Securing Global Connectivity

The reliance on interconnected systems that can be vulnerable to disruptions.

Multicentric Globalization

A scenario where multiple nations hold superpower status, contrasting with a unipolar world.

Realism

A theory in international relations that emphasizes state sovereignty and self-defense.

Liberalism

A theory that advocates for cooperation among nations through institutions and organizations.

Treaty of Westphalia

The agreement that established state sovereignty and non-intervention in 1648.

Imperialism

The practice of larger states dominating less powerful regions for resources.

Dual Character of International Law

The idea that international law can both enable inequality and serve as a route to equality.

Opium Wars

Conflicts between Britain and China over trade, representing imperialism in action.

Modern Total Wars

Large-scale wars like WWI and WWII that involved significant civilian participation and propaganda.

Decolonization

The process of former colonies gaining independence, often marked by civil strife.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the US and USSR characterized by ideological conflict.

Containment

The US policy aimed at preventing the spread of Soviet communism.

Détente

A period of relaxed tensions and improved relations between the US and USSR.

Berlin Wall

A physical and ideological barrier that divided East and West Berlin during the Cold War.

Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD)

A doctrine that posits that nuclear war would lead to the total destruction of both the attacker and defender.

Unipolarity

A global power structure where one state, like the US, holds the majority of power.

BRICS

An acronym for Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, representing emerging economies.

Soft Power

The ability to influence others through diplomacy and cultural appeal rather than military force.

Hard Power

The use of military force or coercion to achieve political goals.

Populism

A political approach that seeks to represent the interests of ordinary people against the elite.

Liberal World Order

The international order characterized by cooperation and multilateralism, often challenged by populist movements.

Democratic Peace Theory

The idea that democracies are less likely to go to war with one another.

World Systems Theory

A Marxist framework that categorizes countries into core, peripheral, and semi-peripheral based on their economic roles.

Gramscianism

A theory that emphasizes the importance of culture and ideology in maintaining social power structures.

Critical Theory

An approach that seeks to understand and critique the systemic structures that influence society.