Key Terms in Global Politics

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts in global politics discussed in the lecture notes, providing essential definitions and connections to theorists.

Absolute and Relative Gains from Trade/Exchange

The Realist and Liberal perspectives on trade; Realism emphasizes relative gains in power, while Liberalism focuses on absolute gains maximizing welfare.

Accommodation

Refers to situations where the differences of a noncore group are respected, supported by institutions that manage these distinctions.

Anarchy

International structure of sovereign states interacting without external authority, where states act in self-interest under an unchanging framework.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

A financial institution designed to provide funds for infrastructure projects, seen as a counterbalance to Western initiatives.

Assimilation

The process whereby a non-dominant group's culture is absorbed into a dominant culture, especially related to the Belt and Road Initiative.

Balancing and Bandwagoning

Strategies where states either align with other powers to counterbalance threats or join them for security; illustrated by Greece's choices with US and China.

Bureaucracy

A system of organization implementing laws by civil servants; significant for revenue collection and the centralization of authority.

Communism

A political and economic ideology advocating for a classless society through the overthrow of capitalism, led by a vanguard party.

Constitutive Story

Narratives provided by leaders to define community identity, justify authority, and promote trust.

Coinage / Common Currency

A state’s fundamental right to establish a legitimate currency, impacting transaction costs.

Crises

Political moments of consensus on the need for fundamental public policy change to avert immediate issues.

Customs Union

Economic integration among member countries eliminating internal tariffs while maintaining common external tariffs.

Economic Vulnerability

Dependence on trade and how varying options can mitigate or exacerbate vulnerability in international relations.

Exclusion Eliminationist Politics

Policies aiming at the physical removal of a non-core group from a state, including actions like deportation or mass killings.

Enforcement

The capacity to coercively uphold inter-unit contracts and agreements.

European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC)

An organization created post-WWII to prevent war by integrating coal and steel industries of member states.

European Court of Justice (ECJ)

Judicial body established during the ECSC, aiming to resolve trade disputes and evolve into a greater authority.

Fiscal Capacity

The bureaucratic ability of a state to efficiently collect taxes and maintain sound fiscal policies.

Functional Authority and Organizations

Political organization led by experts in specific fields to solve issues that states cannot adequately address.

Functional Specialization

The distinction within units, where specialization allows for effective operation within their defined domains.

GATT/WTO 1995

An agreement initially established to reduce discriminatory trade practices post-WWII, evolving into a body overseeing global trade regulations.

Great Power

States capable of significant resistance to leading powers, especially in an international context.

Hegemon

A dominant power economically and militarily impacting global order, such as the US or USSR.

Heteronomy

A political structure characterized by overlapping governance without a central authority to manage it effectively.

Harmony of Interests

The liberal idea assuming all states desire peace due to the destructiveness of war, supporting institutions like the League of Nations.

Influence Effect of Foreign Trade

Trade dependence that can amplify a country's ability to influence others, impacting sovereignty.

Intergovernmental Institutions

Organizations formed by states collaborating on global issues, such as the IMF for currency stabilization.

Irredentism

Conflicts over territories claimed by co-nationals in other states, often fueled by nationalism.

Liberal International Order (LIO)

Post-Cold War unipolarity characterized by institutions reflecting liberal ideologies.

Multilateralism / Bilateralism

Multilateralism refers to institutionalized communication among multiple states while bilateralism focuses on two-party agreements.

Nationalism

A political ideology centered on promoting the interests of a particular nation, fostering a sense of identity.

National Self-Determination

The idea that a nation has the right to govern itself and form its own state.

Nation-State

A sovereign state governed in a way that represents a specific national group.

Non-Aligned Movement

A coalition of states during the Cold War refraining from aligning with either the US or USSR, advocating for peace and cooperation.

Non-Discrimination

The principle ensuring equal treatment of all states in trade, significant in promoting multilateralism.

Paneuropa

A journal advocating for a European federation, linked to early European integration efforts.

Polarity

The distribution of power in the international system, categorized as unipolar, bipolar, or multipolar.

Property Rights

The legal establishment allowing for ownership which is critical for state formation.

Public Goods

Goods that are non-rivalrous and non-excludable, benefiting everyone in a society.

Qualified Majority Voting

A system allowing laws to be passed by a percentage of the European Parliament, marking a shift towards shared governance.

Revisionism

The actions of states aiming to change established international order for their benefit.

Sanctions

Economic measures employed by states to influence the behavior of others.

Sovereignty

The authority of a state to govern itself, bound by geographical territory.

Supranational Institutions

Organizations where member states delegate authority, such as the EU effectively sharing governance.

Tariffs

Taxes on imported goods that can inhibit trade and economic interactions.

Transaction Costs

Costs associated with trading that affect state economic interactions.

Treaty of Rome

The 1957 agreement that established the European Economic Community, aiming for economic cooperation.

UN Security Council

International body composed of permanent members with significant security responsibilities.

WTO Appellate Body (1995)

A supreme trade court created to manage trade disputes and decisions.

World Bank

An institution providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries, reflecting American influence in global economics.