World Politics & Globalization - Key Terms (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts from the lecture notes on global politics, globalization, and international theory.

Peace of Westphalia (1648)

Treaty that ended the European religious wars and established the modern state system with national sovereignty.

Globalization

Process of increasing interconnection and interdependence among countries through trade, communication, and culture.

World politics

Study of how global actors influence each other to reach goals and how these actions affect the world.

International relations (IR)

Academic discipline that analyzes patterns in world politics and economics among states and other actors.

Colonialism

Policy of acquiring and exploiting colonies abroad for political and economic gain.

Imperialism

Policy of extending a nation’s power and influence through control of other territories.

Origins of globalization (late 15th century)

Roots of global interconnectedness begun with European exploration and expansion.

Nationalism

Rise of a collective identity and political movement tied to a nation; fueled by revolutions in the 18th century.

Capitalism

Economic system based on private ownership and market-driven production that reshaped global relations.

World War I

Global conflict that disrupted colonialism and global capitalism; led to protectionism in the 1920s–30s.

Decolonization

Process of former colonies gaining independence and joining the international community after WWII.

Global South

Regions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America that were largely colonized and later gained independence.

Cold War

40-year geopolitical rivalry between the USA and the Soviet Union (and allies), marked by nuclear arms competition.

United Nations (UN)

Post-World War II international organization created for cooperation, security, and humanitarian norms.

International Society

Regular interactions between sovereign states guided by shared norms, rules, and institutions.

International System

Functional structure of mutual benefit among states; often driven by power and interests.

English School

IR approach emphasizing diplomacy, international law, and shared norms, contrasting with Realism.

Realism

IR theory focused on power, anarchy, and national interest in an international system.

Liberal Theory

IR perspective stressing cooperation, institutions, and norms to achieve common gains.

Constructivism (Finnemore)

Theory that examines how norms, ideas, and identities shape state behavior and international life.

Hedley Bull

Scholar who defined International Society and highlighted the norms governing state relations.

New World Order

Post-Cold War vision of a more peaceful, rules-based international order (as proposed by Bush).

Clash of Civilizations

Theory that post-Cold War conflicts would align along civilizational fault lines (Huntington/Hayes).