Global Politics Vocabulary Flashcards

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the key terms and concepts of global politics including power dynamics, types of actors, sovereignty, international organizations, political theories, human rights, development, and peace studies as defined in the lecture notes.

Power

The ability of an actor to influence outcomes and shape the behavior of others.

Hard Power

Coercive influence using military force or economic pressure.

Soft Power

Influence based on attraction, persuasion, and cultural appeal.

Smart Power

A strategic combination of hard and soft power.

Structural Power

The ability to shape global systems, rules, institutions, and norms.

Stakeholder

Any individual or group affected by or involved in a political issue.

Actor

Any participant in global politics, state or non‑state.

Intergovernmental Organization (IGO)

An organization formed by states to cooperate on shared issues.

Non-governmental Organization (NGO)

A non‑profit, non‑state organization working across borders.

Multinational Corporation (MNC)

A company operating in multiple countries with significant economic influence.

State Actor

A sovereign government with authority over a defined territory and population.

Non-state Actor

Groups operating across borders without sovereign authority, such as NGOs, MNCs, and terrorist groups.

Social Movement

A collective effort seeking social or political change.

Resistance Movement

A movement opposing an occupying power or oppressive authority.

State

A political unit with defined territory, population, and recognized sovereignty.

Nation

A group of people sharing identity, culture, or history.

Stateless Nation

A nation lacking its own sovereign state.

Institutions

Formal or informal rules and structures shaping political behavior.

Sovereignty

A state’s authority to govern itself without external interference.

Responsibility to Protect (R2P)

A norm requiring states to protect populations from mass atrocities, with international intervention if they fail.

Humanitarian Intervention

The use of force to prevent or stop human rights abuses in another state.

Responsible Sovereignty

The idea that sovereignty includes obligations to protect citizens’ rights.

Legitimacy

The recognized right to rule, based on laws, norms, or consent.

Interdependence

Mutual reliance between actors, often economic or political.

International Law

Rules governing relations between states and other global actors.

United Nations (UN)

An IGO promoting peace, security, and international cooperation.

African Union (AU)

A regional IGO promoting unity, development, and security in Africa.

ASEAN

A regional IGO promoting economic and political cooperation in Southeast Asia.

European Union (EU)

IGo that promotes integration, free movement, and cooperative policies among its member states.

UN Security Council

The UN body responsible for maintaining international peace and security.

Global Governance

Systems and institutions managing global issues without a world government.

Realism

A theory viewing global politics as driven by power, self‑interest, and anarchy.

Balance of Power

A distribution of power preventing any one actor from dominating.

Security Dilemma

A situation where defensive actions by one state threaten others, escalating tension.

Liberalism

A theory emphasizing cooperation, institutions, and interdependence.

Critical Theory

An approach examining power structures and seeking emancipation from oppression.

Human Rights

Universal entitlements inherent to all people.

Positive Rights

Rights requiring state action to provide services or protections.

Negative Rights

Rights requiring the state to refrain from interference.

Cultural Relativism

The view that rights and values depend on cultural context.

Universalism

The belief that human rights apply equally to all people everywhere.

Politicization

The process by which an issue becomes contested or used for political gain.

Justice

Fairness in the protection of rights and distribution of resources.

Retributive Justice

Justice focused on punishment for wrongdoing.

Restorative Justice

Justice focused on repairing the harm done to people and relationships, rather than just punishing the offender

Liberty

Freedom from undue restraint.

Equality

Equal rights, opportunities, and protections for all individuals.

Needs‑based Equality

Resource distribution based on individual needs.

Legal Equality

Equal treatment of all individuals under the law.

International Criminal Court (ICC)

A court prosecuting individuals for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR)

A foundational document outlining universal human rights.

Tribunal

A court of justice or a body established to settle disputes and administer justice, often in specific areas such as international law or human rights.

Human Rights Watch

An NGO that investigates and reports on human rights abuses.

Amnesty International

An NGO advocating for human rights and political freedoms.

Marginalized Groups

Populations excluded from full political, social, or economic participation.

Refugee

A person forced to flee their country due to persecution or conflict.

Internally Displaced People (IDPs)

People displaced within their own country due to conflict or disaster.

Codification

The formal writing of rights, rules, or norms into law.

Development

Improvements in economic, social, and political well‑being.

Economic Development

Growth in income, productivity, and economic opportunities.

Social Development

Improvements in education, health, and quality of life.

Political Development

Strengthening of governance, participation, and institutions.

Environmental Sustainability

Using resources in ways that do not harm future generations.

Economic Inequality

Unequal distribution of wealth and income.

World Trade Organization (WTO)

An organization regulating global trade and resolving trade disputes.

International Monetary Fund (IMF)

An institution providing financial assistance and oversight to states in crisis.

Development Indicators

Measures of economic, social, and political progress.

Human Development Index (HDI)

A composite measure of life expectancy, education, and income.

GDP Per Capita

Average economic output per person.

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Investment by a company or state into another country’s economy.

Corruption

The abuse of power for personal gain.

Poverty

Insufficient resources to meet basic living standards.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Seventeen global goals addressing poverty, inequality, and sustainability.

Dependency Theory

A theory arguing that global inequality persists because wealthy states exploit poorer ones.

Modernization Theory

A theory claiming development follows a linear path toward industrialization and democracy.

Peace

The absence of conflict and the presence of justice and stability.

Positive Peace

Peace characterized by social justice, equality, and structural stability.

Negative Peace

Peace defined as the absence of direct violence.

Direct Violence

Physical harm inflicted by an identifiable actor.

Cultural Violence

Beliefs or narratives that justify or normalize harm.

Structural Violence

Harm caused by unequal systems and institutions.