Liberalism in International Relations: Comprehensive Vocabulary Flashcards

A collection of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts from the lecture notes on Liberalism in International Relations.

Liberalism

A normative and analytical paradigm in International Relations advocating cooperation, institutionalized rules, and the spread of democratic values.

Enlightenment Roots

The philosophical foundation of liberalism highlighting reason, individual rights, and moral progress.

Social Contract

Theory by Locke asserting government's legitimacy comes from the consent of the governed.

Kant's Perpetual Peace

Kant's proposal for lasting peace through Republicanism, federation of free states, and cosmopolitan rights.

Negative Freedom

Freedom from interference, primarily associated with classical liberalism.

Positive Freedom

Freedom to achieve one's potential, generally associated with welfare states.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A milestone document proclaiming the inalienable rights of all individuals.

Democratic Peace Theory (DPT)

The theory that democracies are less likely to engage in conflict with one another.

Dyadic Peace

The claim that democracies do not fight each other.

Monadic Peace

The assertion that democracies are generally less warlike overall.

Institutional Constraints

Limits imposed by institutions that can slow down war decisions.

Normative Culture

The shared values and norms among democracies that promote compromise.

Neoliberal Institutionalism

The theory explaining how institutions can dampen anarchy through cooperation.

Regime Theory

The idea that informal norms and established practices affect international relations.

Commercial Liberalism

The theory positing that economic interdependence prevents conflict.

Interdependence Theory

The idea that states become more sensitive and vulnerable through economic ties.

Embedded Liberalism

Ruggie's concept describing the post-war balance of free markets and domestic welfare.

Humanitarian Intervention

Military intervention for humanitarian reasons, justified by liberal theory.

R2P (Responsibility to Protect)

The international norm that states have a responsibility to protect populations from genocide and war crimes.

Sovereignty vs. Universal Rights

The tension between state autonomy and the enforcement of universal human rights.

Realism

A theoretical framework in International Relations focusing on power dynamics and state interests.

Marxism

A critique of liberalism arguing it disguises capitalist exploitation.

Postcolonialism

A critique suggesting that liberal norms perpetuate Western dominance.

Ukraine War

The ongoing conflict between democratic Ukraine and autocratic Russia.

COVID-19 Pandemic

A contemporary global health crisis highlighting both the successes and failures of liberal institutions.

U.S.-China Rivalry

An ongoing geopolitical tension characterized by trade conflicts and strategic competition.

Key Finding: Democratic Peace (Doyle 1983)

No wars between liberal democracies since 1815.

Key Finding: Neoliberal Institutions (Keohane 1984)

Institutions can persist even without hegemony.

Key Finding: Embedded Liberalism (Ruggie 1982)

The integration of welfare states with free markets post-WWII.

Causal Mechanisms of DPT

The pathways through which democratic governance leads to peace.

Power Asymmetry

The unequal power distribution within international institutions, impacting their effectiveness.

Crisis of Liberalism

A contemporary challenge facing liberalism due to rising inequality and authoritarianism.

Cosmopolitan Rights

The principle advocating for universal rights, including asylum and migration.

Legal Norms

Standards of conduct recognized by states and institutions to regulate behavior.

Multi-channel Interaction

The various ways states, NGOs, and MNCs can engage and communicate.

Conflict Resolution Mechanisms

Processes facilitated by institutions to resolve disputes between states.

Sensitivity

The short-term costs associated with economic interdependence, like price fluctuations.

Vulnerability

The long-term capacity to adapt to economic changes and crises.

Teleological Assumptions

The belief that history progresses towards an ultimate end or goal.

Fukuyama’s End of History

The controversial claim that liberal democracy represents the endpoint of political evolution.

Trade = Peace Hypothesis

The theory that economic interdependence reduces the likelihood of war.

Capitalist Peace Theory

The assertion that free-market democracies are less prone to aggression.

Collective Security

A system in which states agree to cooperate in response to aggression.

Transnational Interdependence

The interconnectedness of nations through economic, social, and political ties.

International Criminal Court

A court established to prosecute individuals for international crimes like genocide and war crimes.

Globalization's Paradoxes

The dual effects of globalization fostering economic growth while leading to backlash.

Human Rights Regimes

International systems and norms aimed at protecting basic rights of individuals.

Eurocentrism

The critique that Western perspectives dominate discussions about global norms.

Existential Threats

Severe dangers to the liberal order posed by authoritarian regimes and global challenges.